Albion fans’ bid to light up away date (From The Argus)

Albion fans’ bid to light up away date

7:20pm Thursday 6th September 2012 in News By Neil Vowles

Albion fans have had a bright idea to try to light up their visit to Championship opponents.

Seagulls supporter Radd Reynolds and his friends are hoping to bring a party atmosphere to the club’s visit to Watford later this month.

The fans claim that glow-sticks will help brighten up what they have described as the darkest away end in the league.

However, they fear that the lights could fall foul of ground regulations, which could snuff out their plans.

Mr Reynolds, from Kingsway, Brighton, and his friends are attempting to coordinate a mass purchase of blue and white glow sticks for the game at Watford on Tuesday, September 18.

The fans say they have been inspired to organise the lighting effort because the London club turn off the lights in the stand.

So far the suggestion has had a warm reception on fans’ forum North Stand Chat, with dozens of fans supporting the idea.

The 19-year-old Albion fanatic moved from Perth to Brighton last year so that he could follow his beloved Seagulls.

Glow sticks

His father moved to Australia more than 25 years ago, but Radd was brought up an Albion fan and used to catch a few games a season when he returned to the UK to visit relatives.

He said: “We originally said that we could just wear the away kit because it pretty much glows in the dark, but then we thought that glow-sticks would be the better option. It’s very dark in the Watford away end compared to the rest of the grounds.

“A few people last year suggested that it might be so you can’t see the away fans and try and take them out of the picture, but I’m not sure of the official reason.

“A friend contacted the club but they said they wouldn’t be allowing them in, which is a shame.

“I can see the reasons why they wouldn’t allow it but I was hoping they would join in with the spirit.

“I don’t think they could see the glow-sticks as dangerous weapons but I guess they could think we might throw them.”

The Argus contacted Watford yesterday but a club spokesman said the relevant staff who would adjudicate on this matter were not at work this week.