Elated...but the party is on hold

9:59am Wednesday 25th July 2007

The celebrations were muted and the bottles of bubbly were symbolic of a victory not quite in the bag.

There was an overwhelming sense of deja vu among Albion officials and fans yesterday as they toasted the club's latest success.

Ms Blears granted permission for all four planning applications regarding the stadium at Village Way North in Falmer.

But anxious supporters will have to wait for 41 days to hear for sure whether yet another legal challenge will be launched.

After the news, Falmer For All campaigners and club officials gathered at Donatello's restaurant in The Lanes for a champagne lunch.

Norman Cook - aka Fatboy Slim - has ploughed vast amounts of money into the club to help balance the books over the past few years.

Outside the restaurant, which is one of Albion's main sponsors, he said: "We have been here before so it is hard to get too excited. That said, it is the right result that we have all been waiting for.

"The fans have been great and have never given up the fight.

Although we are elated with the decision we are also extremely cynical - the party is on hold for now."

Mary Emery, 83, of Hangleton, has been watching Albion since 1929. She said: "I walk with a stick now, but as long as someone will wheel me to Falmer I'll be there.

"Albion is the heart and soul of this town and it will be magnificent to see the team play in such a great stadium"

Robbie Reinelt sealed his status as an Albion legend when he scored to keep the team in the Football League in the final match of the 1996-97 season.

He said: "It's taken long enough.

Finally the club have got the right decision and hopefully they can take things from there.

"My first year at Brighton was the first year they left the Goldstone Ground and got the groundshare at Gillingham.

"It was turmoil for the supporters.

They wanted a club to support and didn't have a place to call their home. Now they have got a good backer in Dick Knight and a good team. Finally it's falling into place."

Alan Wares, 37, an Albion fan and owner of Sporting Colours in Gloucester Road, Brighton, said: "This is fantastic news. This decision has been a long time coming but it is the right one.

"We must now all pull together in making sure this stadium project happens for everybody's benefit."

City councillor Warren Morgan, a lifelong Albion fan who represents East Brighton, said: "I am delighted for the fans, the club, the communities of east Brighton and the city as a whole.

"The education unit at the new stadium will be of real benefit to young people from the area and build on the excellent work the club does in the community, such as the links they have built up with Whitehawk's Crew Club."

Brett Mendoza, 26, of Tongdean Lane, Brighton, said: "After a lost decade of hard campaigning - 18 league clubs have been able to move ground in that time - we can hopefully look forward to some investment, stability and better times in Sussex."

Withdean ward city councillor Ann Norman had words of comfort for the worried residents of Falmer.

She said: "During their enforced stay at Withdean Stadium, the club have endeavoured, and in most cases succeeded in, listening and minimising any adverse effects to residents.

"Residents who may have understandable concerns about any implications resulting from today's decision will find that the club will be proactive in addressing any problems."

Sam Baker, 26, of Lewes Road, Brighton, said: "It's hard to believe that this is finally it.

"Actually having a stadium of that size will unlock the potential of this club. I know lots of people who won't go to Withdean but would jump at the chance of a seat at Falmer.

"The crowds will be massive and give us a real chance of moving up the leagues."

Alan McCarthy, chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "It's fabulous news. It's a culmination of a huge amount of work by the club and council.

"The outer community will benefit particularly as it's next to one of the most disadvantaged parts of the city."

Albion's solicitor Tony Allen, of DMH Stallard, said: "It has been a pleasure to have worked alongside Martin Perry since the beginning of this project.

"Hazel Blears' decision vindicates the club's original selection of Falmer and the work which the professional team has done to support that choice.

"One of the major deciding factors in Ms Blears' decision was the ability of the club to provide the infrastructure needed to maintain such a stadium, like good public transport links for spectators to minimise the use of cars."

Club stalwart Kerry Mayo is the only member of the squad to have played for Albion at the Goldstone. A testimonial match for him will be played at Withdean on Saturday.

He said: "The Yes decision is fantastic news. Thanks to the chairman, Paul Samrah, Martin Perry, the board and the supporters - their hard work and enthusiasm - we have finally got the right decision."

John Hewitt, 57, of Portslade, said: "We have come so far and every argument against the stadium has disintegrated. I am delighted, but it is tinged with an air of caution. We have had so many false dawns."

Pat Hawkes, a city councillor for Hollingbury and Stanmer, said the verdict will give north Brighton an economic boost.

She said: "I am so delighted that the stadium will be built at Falmer.

"All the young people in north Brighton will gain from this. There will also be many jobs available for local people."

The news was also welcomed by two education centres.

The University of Brighton, whose Falmer campus will border the new stadium, said: "We welcome the fact that after a long and protracted process a decision has been made."

City College Brighton and Hove also welcomed the news.

College classrooms and other facilities for 550 students a year will occupy the stadium's East Stand.

It hopes to be able to invest in the learning facilities at the stadium as part of a proposed £80 million revamp of its own buildings.

Deputy principal John Evans said: "The East Stand of the Falmer Stadium will provide a unique learning environment which will be very appealing to all students.

"It's ideally located close to the universities and Falmer High School and we can build on the success of the Albion in the Community and City College Study Support programme."

Courses at the stadium will include catering, hospitality, media and journalism.

Lord Bassam of Brighton, who championed the stadium as leader of Brighton Council, went along to celebrate with the club officials.

He said: "It's brilliant news.

I'm absolutely delighted. It's the right decision and it has been for a long time.

"This is a fantastic day for the city, for the football club and for the fans. I'm proud of everyone who stayed with the cause to help win permission for the stadium.

"I feel vindicated for the work I have put in over the past 12 years.

"We were right to have a referendum and we reached the right decision.

"Tony Blair once described Hazel Blears as his little ray of sunshine. This will put a smile on the face of the city."

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