Albion's promotion showdown against Chesterfield was an early casualty to rain.

But the Withdean postponement still came too late to preserve admin officer Edward David's 40-year-old international record.

England's 2-1 victory over Finland at Anfield last Saturday was the first home World Cup qualifier David has missed since 1961-62.

Lewes ref Steve Tomlin declared the Withdean pitch waterlogged at lunchtime on Friday.

David, a hospitality host on match days, said: "I could have got a ticket, but getting up to Liverpool at such short notice was too difficult. I got the programme sent down and watched it on Sky TV instead, so I am a true anorak!"

David first started watching England in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. The recently married 51-year-old was among a small number of fans allowed into Albania for England's first visit in 1989, but he decided not to go back there on Wednesday.

"I think it would have been a bit unsafe," he said. "Perhaps I'm getting too old."

David fears another club versus country clash next season on Saturday September 1. That is when Sven Goran Eriksson's men tackle the Germans in Munich.