Big kick off for Falmer (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
Big kick off for Falmer
6:10pm Wednesday 17th December 2008 in
It was a day thousands of Albion fans feared would never come.
As the diggers churned up the earth at Falmer today, a kick-off ceremony to officially hand the site over to contractors the Buckingham Group took place.
Work will now begin in earnest on the 22,500 seat community stadium – 11 years after the Seagulls' last match at the Goldstone Ground.
It may be no more than a muddy building site, but it looked like paradise to the 100 or so Albion fans who won the right to be there in a lottery draw.
Albion directors were joined by civic leaders and celebrity supporters including Des Lynam and Norman Cook at the ceremony to mark the start of work on the £65million stadium.
The actual dimensions of the pitch were marked into the mud complete with corner flags, goalposts and a penalty spot.
The players, fresh from a dramatic victory over Shrewsbury on penalties in the Johnstone Paints Trophy, walked over to join the celebrations from their training ground at the university site in Falmer.
Under the winter sunshine, chairman Dick Knight scored the first goal at Falmer when he shot past first-team goalkeeper John Sullivan into a goal fashioned from two diggers.
Mr Knight said: “It is a fantastic feeling to be here today and especially to score the first goal at Falmer – although my penalty wasn't too convincing.
“Now some who thought it would never happen can see the work being done here and believe it.
“We really are on our way. It is a testament to the efforts of thousands of people who just didn't give up.
“No other football club has been through what we have, but that just shows the spirit of the Albion.”
Comments(34)
toujaty
says...
8:17pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Ronald
says...
8:38pm Wed 17 Dec 08
They'd rather see a street.
It won't be long at this rate,
Till Brighton and Liverpool meet!
cheezburger
says...
8:40pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Portlock Seagull
says...
9:04pm Wed 17 Dec 08
... You're all history now so we don't have to give a flying duck what you think anymore. Nor tread carefully with our words and actions. It's coming, we won the war and there's nothing you can do about it. So shut up and move on, you're offically 'boring' now.
Re: the club, fantastic! A truely historic day. Well done the Albion -any chance we can name the toilets the LDC Urinals etc?! They have needlessly p***sed away everyone's taxes afterall!
rayellerton
says...
10:00pm Wed 17 Dec 08
william of orange
says...
10:04pm Wed 17 Dec 08
The truth will out...eventually.
As the ever rising tide of next years insolvencies and business failures will show you can't fudge the figures for long.
The council give our asset away for free...the Government pay for the road widening via a quango called SEEDA (remember James Braithwaite SEEDAS boss and his £55k "taxi" expenses - see earlier Argus story).
Just what is the Club paying towards this?...If anything at all?
Argus do your job and investigate!
davyboy
says...
10:43pm Wed 17 Dec 08
cheezburger wrote:as you are aware, this is a community stadium, and will be used by other groups. therefore the capacity may well be filled when there are pop concerts and other events going on. i believe that the albion will be able to fill most seats anyway, as they have a large fan base, and always filled the goldstone.
What i've never heard explained before is why a piddly little club with 6 thousand fans attending games thinks it can have a stadium that seats 22 thousand. It doesnt add up.
Cheese Rolls
says...
11:12pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Wont be druv
says...
11:16pm Wed 17 Dec 08
Then it was - "but tey only get 6,000 and have no history." This until someone pointed out the cub won the Charity Shield points out, played in the top flight (now premier league) an f.a. cup final, and has had spells like the 70's when 25 to 35,000 ere the order of the day, and even in the lowest tier of football was pulling in 10K.What a club we will have, just look at the towns of sussex and the rural areas too, what a catchment area, fro bognor, to worthing to brighton to newhaven docks to eastbourne to hastings, to burgess hill to crawley, all traditional Albion areas. Just amazing what could be achieved at this club
Now its - "dont let taxpayers pay anything". Its odd, in Australia sport stadia is paid for by the city and a link up with sport and schools is the norm and to me, sounds like a great idea. Still some POMS are never happier unless they are having a whine, whinge and moan.
By the way, do we really have to pay taxes for the arts council. Football pays for itself, its about time the arts started dont we think.. or do we..?
stan bailey
says...
7:27am Thu 18 Dec 08
Portlock Seagull wrote:Thats the problem, you are not local; you live in Maidenhead, locals are losing the downs etc for this load of tribal nonsense
(Re: all of the above persons)zzzzzzzzzzz.
... You're all history now so we don't have to give a flying duck what you think anymore. Nor tread carefully with our words and actions. It's coming, we won the war and there's nothing you can do about it. So shut up and move on, you're offically 'boring' now.
Re: the club, fantastic! A truely historic day. Well done the Albion -any chance we can name the toilets the LDC Urinals etc?! They have needlessly p***sed away everyone's taxes afterall!
ABC1
says...
7:56am Thu 18 Dec 08
2.This might be called a community stadium, but under the planning decision is forbidden from holding the mentioned concerts etc. Although I suspect that planning permission will be given at some point - after all, it beat the public enquiry that stated it had no way of conforming to planning regs. Still one rule for one eh?
3. The capacity at Withdean isn't 6,000 it's 9,000. The attendance is neither good or bad, it's average for Div 1 football, but declining. The Goldstone failed to attract 9,000 fans in at least the last ten years of its existence. People look back to the Goldstone as some sort of golden age - which it wasn't. Try the facts.
4. The club has been in serious financial difficulties several times in the past. The fans have never bailed out the club - they have always relied on sugar daddies. As is the case today. The club apparently owes £13m. If it was left to the fans, it would be a Conference club financially.
5. The Downs receive 32m visits per year, so if priority were to be accorded.....?
6. The stadium is supposed to create jobs. However, there are many jobs in B&H that available, which also offer low paid, part time, seasonal work. These jobs go begging because the residents don't want them. As confirmed by HMG at the second enquiry.
7. It is baffling that the ground ever got permission, is it possible that three marginal Labour MP's had anything to do with it?
8. In the so-called referendum, 70% of available voters didn't vote for the stadium. Unlike most referenda, where you would need in excess of 50% of the electorate being in favour of something, this was first past the post. And where was the "no" case? Certainly not from the Labour dominated council, and certainly not from the Argus.
Rather than being a day of celebration, this should be a day of shame. And has anyone actually MET an Albion fan?
quedula
says...
8:41am Thu 18 Dec 08
rayellerton wrote:rayellerton . . read toujaty again. What he is saying is that we are only gong to get half a stadium which will be of no use to anyone!
toujaty...would you not rather have a stadium which will add to the prestige of the city, and provide jobs and pleasure...or do you prefer all your council taxes going on the gold plated pension funds of grey town hall office drones? i would say that was cheating us out of our money!
Sergeant Chisholm
says...
9:40am Thu 18 Dec 08
1. So what ? The Seagull Party candidates got a reasonable vote considering it was their first real election and the main parties have huge financial backing. So she increased her share of the vote ? Didn't do any good did it !
2. Not true - other events ARE allowed within the current planning permission including concerts but there is a limit on how many. Good LIE on your behalf there.
3. Errr .... you what ??? As a season ticket holder during the last ten years I attended dozens of matches that had more than 9,000. You really are just plucking LIES from the air now aren't you ?
4. Yes the club has made a loss in recent years - mainly due to the costs of fighting LDC and co and their LIES. Besides, some of the Directors and shareholders have put money in but what business is it of yours ?
5. Hmmm - I challenge you to prove that this particular part of the Downs, i.e. the bit the stadium is on, achieved 32m visits. You can't use that figure, the represents the WHOLE of the South Downs, to argue that a muddly field that was used by a farmer is a great loss to the downs. I notice you don't mention the two Universities it is right NEXT to - how convienent for your arguement.
7. Sour grapes yet again.
8. Our election system IS first past the post. So many people choose not to vote - no account is taken of them when voting for MPs etc so why should it be in a vote over the stadium. I'm sure if the vote had gone the way YOU wanted it to then you wouldn't be complaining.
It's getting very tiresome that a few people are such bad losers - THE STADIUM IS BEING BUILT - get over it !!!
ABC1
says...
10:23am Thu 18 Dec 08
As a STH, check the attendances at the Goldstone and the Withdean. Let us know how many 9,000+ crowds there have been. LDC's evidence was none. It went unchallenged during the process.
Of course there are people out there with sour grapes. The stadium was LAUGHED out of the one and only planning enquiry to judge Falmer. If it weren't for the politics, it would and should have died years ago. Clearly, the rules by which you and I are judged don't apply here.
As regards the referendum, it shows why few bothered voting except the fans. The regulations existed to protect people from the deverlopment, and they have a right to expect they would be followed. It was a foregone conclusion, as the initial flawed judgement from Prescott proved, and the subsequent second judgement, both of which ignored the facts.
The directors putting money in is no business of mine, however, it does prove that the fan base can't or more accurately, won't support the club. It has been in the financial poo several times, long before Withdean, and certainly at the beloved Goldstone.
I have no doubt that the crowds will soar at Falmer with the new ground being built. But if the quality of football continues to be dire, the crowds will drop just as fast. Remember, the high attendance figures only cover the loan.
I also notice in the latest submision that the club are already looking to change the use of the ground by tripling the entertainment on offer. there is no explanation as to how this is to be supported within the context of the planning permission given. As I have always said though, give it long enough, and the club gets whatever it wants, whenever it wants, regardless.
ABC1
says...
10:38am Thu 18 Dec 08
Joey Public
says...
3:10pm Thu 18 Dec 08
Albion are potentially, at least a mid-Championship level club, and increased gates will mean more income & better players.
pancaker
says...
5:13pm Thu 18 Dec 08
The fact is that this is a project built on "if's" - IF the fan base goes up, IF we get promoted so we get the big games, IF we get a wealthy backer, IF the licence can extend to include more entertainment. The list is pretty endless. Ambition is great but look at Leeds to see where over-ambition gets you.
What if current form continues and we get relegated this season? What if construction and steel costs go up even more as the project goes on? What if the expected fans don't turn up (personally I think after an initial flurry we'll be back down to 7,000 a game)?
The abuse of anti-stadium people isn't helpful. It is Albion fans who will suffer if this goes wrong, just as much as anyone else and it is about time the Argus looked into the funding of it properly, for all of us.
We need to know this is securely backed for many many years to come, regardless of on pitch or turnstile performance.
Wont be druv
says...
9:13pm Thu 18 Dec 08
1. There is a motorway, 2 uni's and a sewage works at falmer
2 they ignore the crowds of the 70s and 80s and look to the clubs darkest days instead.
3. They pretend that nobody wants the ground and ignore a referendum because they didn't win it
4. They have even blatantly made things up such as distances in the public enquiry subsequently proven to be false by a walk
I could go on, but the arrogance from those with little to be arrogant about is the thing that has annoyed most. It is also the vitriol against a 100 pus year institution of Sussex, that has given men for 2 world wars (the club runs out to the Sussex regimental song), and that has represented our County throughout the land is also something that has not gone down well. All it seems for what many suspect as a wish to see themselvs as superior and embark on an ego trip. Those that do not have respect never receive it, and perhaps there might be many in the (relatively small but vocal) anti lobby that might think on that.
There has never been a fuss about Sussex uni building north of the motorway, and many wonder why, if not for the reasons above.
There we go, it takes all sorts and no point holding a grudge, "there a'nt nowt queer as folk" as the old saying goes
Cap'n Pugwash
says...
12:49am Fri 19 Dec 08
stan bailey wrote:Explain to me exactly which part of The Downs is being lost? Is it the part currently occupied by Uni buildings which need to be demolished to make way for the stadium? Is it that 'farmer's field' that has been a muddy eyesore since Moses left Moose Jaw?
Portlock Seagull wrote:Thats the problem, you are not local; you live in Maidenhead, locals are losing the downs etc for this load of tribal nonsense
(Re: all of the above persons)zzzzzzzzzzz.
... You're all history now so we don't have to give a flying duck what you think anymore. Nor tread carefully with our words and actions. It's coming, we won the war and there's nothing you can do about it. So shut up and move on, you're offically 'boring' now.
Re: the club, fantastic! A truely historic day. Well done the Albion -any chance we can name the toilets the LDC Urinals etc?! They have needlessly p***sed away everyone's taxes afterall!
You people are truly pathetic. That little part of Sussex will never be considered Downland or an AONB all the while you have a hole in your chuffer.
As for people not being local-it doesn't mean they weren't at one time. They return to Brighton regularly to support their HOME TEAM, spending their money in the area every other weekend and in real terms probably contribute more to the local economy than people like you. I suggest you go away, do what miserabilists like you do and let the fans of BHAFC support their team which generates more money for the area than most businesses within 30 to 40 miles.
The war has been won despite a campaign of lies and bluster, disgracefully supported by that odious little twerp masquerading as a Lib Dumb MP. Get over it-The Seagulls will soon be soaring again and you people will be eating humble pie until you all choke.
Cap'n Pugwash
says...
1:08am Fri 19 Dec 08
I see you have conveniently forgotten to include all the facts-what a surprise from a self-appointed anti-stadium mouthpiece (or are you a member of LDC/FPC too scared to use your real name?). I seem to recall 2 PI's, one was so heavily biased against the stadium proposals that a second one had to be held and surprise, surprise, the previous findings were overturned.You know why, I know why, in fact, any interested party knows why-regardless of being pro or anti.
You can say whatever you like on here or in any other form of media you choose-the fact is that The Community Stadium is on its way, people like you can't do a damned thing about it and I for one can't wait. I can't wait for the crowds to return-crowds that Cuttress and her cronies tried to drive away for good with their disgraceful campaign of lies and fear. Ban The Bun. As was said in the movie Field of Dreams: "Build it and they will come". Guess what-we're coming and coming in our thousands. Good? You bet!
All we need now is for the moron landlord of The Swan Inn (who defies the law by flying illegal flags) to sell up to a member of the human race and our pre-match get togethers will be perfect.
ABC1
says...
10:01am Fri 19 Dec 08
Fact: Blears stated that the stadium would be detrimental to the environment
Fact: The only enquiry that dealt directly with the Falmer site found that the stadium overwhelmingly failed the test of need. This was run by one of Prescott's senior planning inspectors
Fact: The second enquiry only concerned itself with alternative sites.
The real referendum is held every other Saturday - tiny attendances at the game, which were small long before The Goldstone disappeared.
pancaker
says...
3:20pm Fri 19 Dec 08
There were times I felt we didn't deserve the stadium because the behaviour of those arguing for it didn't justify it.
Some will be too blinkered and self-righteous to see it but a lot of fans haven't exactly covered themselves in glory over this or displayed any of the dignity or restraint in their arguments that the residents of Falmer have done.
Here's a quote from these boards the day permission was finally granted: "I look forward to vomitting in Falmer pond after a few pints at the Swan".
Let's hope the sensible ones amongst us can work with the people of Falmer now, not against them.
ABC1
says...
3:48pm Fri 19 Dec 08
I used to feel completely indifferent about the Albion - but now I want them to fail, and have done for years. I know many people who think like this, and it all stems from the unsavoury way many of the fans conduct themselves on messageboards like this, as well as the so obviously political decision that was made. It's just the sheer unfairness - you and I would never have been given this sort of concession based on little other than speculation. And few people understand why the Albion are a special case.
Unfortunately, my experience of Albion fans is that they dress up opinion as fact, and are surprised when people laugh at them, including the planning inspector. Some of the arguments for the stadium were laughable, including the one about not having a football league club in the area. This in the face of the fact that the FA clearly don't care either as the rules of the competition confirm. And so it goes on and on. The job arguments don't stack up, I'm concerned that the council may be involved in some way with a project where effectively there's no security, I don't want tax payers money spent on this, I want to understand how City College can tie up with the Albion when one individual was involved at a senior level in both projects. How was this managed? I'm not suggesting wrongdoing btw, I just want to know how independence was achieved in making a decision for the College to move?
The Argus has provided no independent scrutiny whatsoever, which does the population of B&H a huge disservice. The only independent scrutiny was provided by the planning inspector - who rejected the plan - and then Prescott took what was considered by experts to be the "highly unusual" step of holding another enquiry. Clearly, the enquiry was a foregone conclusion, and the wrong decision was reached the first time. Prescott's decision letter treated us all with contempt.
LDC won every round of the battle using the Government's own planning rules - designed to save us from this type of development - until the point the Minister could use discretion.
And the fans wonder why people are hacked off?
Wont be druv
says...
9:10am Sat 20 Dec 08
1. There has never been an admission in public by the anti's tat the ground is simply being put by Brighton uni, next to a motorway and south of the by pass.It is agreed that it was an AONB site, but then one would assume that so is Sussex uni. Falmer is a suberb of Brighton, and most of the ground - FACT.
2. Many ask themselves why the fuss over this building when no fuss is made when Sussex uni build all over the downs NORTH of the motorway. (which is actually have being put on an existing built up area as uni buildings are being taken down to be built on again). You are again silnt on the pint and I hear no campaign against Sussex uni. FACT Perhaps we could join together and start one?
3. Albion fans have been labelled yobs, hooligans and there has been no respect shown for this sussex institution. They have even sought to deny the large crowds of the 70s, never acknowledged a great history including a Charity Shield victory and a Cup final -FACT
4.There is a very large suspicion that there is snobbery at play, mixed in wih a whinging POM attitude by some of the antis.
5.I do not accept as fact that linking a professional football club with a school in a deprived area such as East Brighton is a bad thing. Indeed it seems a superb idea.
6, LDC did not win every round - only in the biased view of ABC. I would agree however that th site was earmarked as the site after the referendum. Indeed, look at the logic, a ground next to a university, a motorway and a train station - those that have travelled will know that this is along the USA model of university an sporting link ups. Tereafter I would agree that the enquiry forced on the people of Sussex by a vocal minority was a pointless waste of time, and money. The antis tied to pretend the ground was being plonked in the middle of the downs. that was clearly nonsense and was nothing more than spin so to drag the process out.
The greatest sadness is th vitriol the club has faced from a very small minority. People throughout Sussex I meet (whether old time Sussex people or people that have moved in) seem genuinely pleased.
As i have said before "there a'nt nowt queer as folk". I wuld agree that it is time that som bridges with the small lobby group of anti's wee built. But there must also be the understandin that many of the anti's are likely to enjoy the argument. So then you either engage or let nonsense go unchallenged. Those that wish to be positive will be welcomed by the club I am sure
And the anti' wonder why fans and non fans alike are hacked off ?
GarryNelson'sLeftFoot
says...
10:10am Sat 20 Dec 08
The truth is they said the site would never be chosen. They were wrong. They said it wouldn't get planning permission. They were wrong. They said it wouldn't get through the inquiries. They were wrong. They said work would never start. They were wrong. Now they're saying the stadium wont be completed. It's just one snipe after another. Wont be druv is right - the vast majority are pleased that this is going to happen.
And please antis, stop with the 'what's a club with six thousand fans doing building a 22,000 seater stadium?' What nonsense. A decade ago Hull played against Wigan in the lower leagues in front of a few thousand. Recently they took each other on in the Prem in front of more than 20,000. How have all these clubs - Reading, Hull, Wigan, Swansea (I could go on) built or stated to build success? Well for one thing they've invested in modern stadia!
So for those pro the stadium and pro the Albion - we are going to have to put up with the minority of snipers - for the most part they aren't Sussex people and do not understand. Ignore them and (like the vast majority) look forward to the completion of the stadium.
Merry Christmas to all those who love the Albion.
ABC1
says...
12:13pm Sat 20 Dec 08
One issue that is swept under the carpet continuously is the fact that whenever it was suggested that the stadium might be placed in sites other than Falmer, the Brighton and Hove residents of those locations moved as quickly as possible to say why it wouldn't be suitable for them to have it nearby. The fact is, no-one directly affected by it wanted it anywhere near them - as is the case with any soccer stadium.
The residents of Sheepcote Valley now have the travellers site - poetic justice. The site was/is brownfield, and if anywhere should have gone there (or where the New England quarter is now). Sadly, the Albion couldn't afford Sheepcote.....
The other argument for Sheepcote is/was the jobs. Statistically, it's the most deprived area of B&H, so if it was about jobs, then surely the ground should go there... Oh, hang on, it wasn't wanted by even the most deprived residents of Brighton.
GarryNelson'sLeftFoot
says...
2:02pm Sat 20 Dec 08
Sergeant Chisholm
says...
4:48pm Sat 20 Dec 08
ABC1 wrote:Which brings us onto more dubious "facts" - Sheepcote Valley was rejected as it had no station and the was no way to provide adequate public transport. LDC and Norman Baker even tried to clain you could walk from Brighton Station in 20 - 25 minutes - possibly if you're capable of yomping at Para speed. All along LDC, Norman Baker and Falmer Parish Council have lied and now it will come back to teach them a lesson !
Thanks for the "facts". Which of course aren't facts at all.
One issue that is swept under the carpet continuously is the fact that whenever it was suggested that the stadium might be placed in sites other than Falmer, the Brighton and Hove residents of those locations moved as quickly as possible to say why it wouldn't be suitable for them to have it nearby. The fact is, no-one directly affected by it wanted it anywhere near them - as is the case with any soccer stadium.
The residents of Sheepcote Valley now have the travellers site - poetic justice. The site was/is brownfield, and if anywhere should have gone there (or where the New England quarter is now). Sadly, the Albion couldn't afford Sheepcote.....
The other argument for Sheepcote is/was the jobs. Statistically, it's the most deprived area of B&H, so if it was about jobs, then surely the ground should go there... Oh, hang on, it wasn't wanted by even the most deprived residents of Brighton.
Cheese Rolls
says...
9:18pm Sat 20 Dec 08
http://uk.youtube.co
m/watch?v=KxPW19rO1O
I&feature=related
ABC1
says...
11:04am Sun 21 Dec 08
Fact: following the second enquiry, it was established that nowhere in B&H meets the planning criteria. Sheepcote COULD have done, if B&H had the ££, naturally, they don't.
I agree the walk to Sheepcote was absurd, but actually, it shouldn't have mattered.
And factually, LDC were right on everything. The decision letter from Precott was completely wrong, and the one from Blears basically says so what? It agreed that the stadium was detrimental to the environment tand that it was authorising car use that broke the Govt.'s own rules.
Why hasn't the council confirmed publicly that the ££ for the stadium is 100% in place prior to handing over land owned by the taxpayers which is potentially worth £ millions of MY money? Why isn't the Argus asking the right questions?
GarryNelson'sLeftFoot
says...
12:07pm Sun 21 Dec 08
My suspicious mind tells me that you don't really care about any of the environmental or financial issues. You're just angry because the pro-stadium majority have won the day. You just dont understand that there are thousands and thousands of people (not hooligans but decent people) who actually do care. At the end of the day that's why the diggers are now at Falmer and no amount of sniping is ever going to change that.
Oh and by the way, it's called football not soccer.
Wont be druv
says...
5:06pm Sun 21 Dec 08
Happy moaning about nowt ABC
Cheese Rolls
says...
7:06pm Sun 21 Dec 08
This leads me to think that maybe the circles you move in may be very narrow indeed...either that or it's another lie.
Spending " Millions of MY money"...now we all know what you mean...but it could have been worded better...are you that rich? and if so why are they taking all your money??
LDC "right on everything"? Hmmm exactly what?
Prescott's letter "completely wrong"? Hmmm it was one part of an extensive letter that was seized on by the saddo's NOT the entire thing.
As for detromental to the environment...that is the single most stupid argument ever. Have you ever been there? The place is a muddy mess with cars thundering past on the A27, trains thundering past and university Buildings dotted here there and eveywhere. It is NOT the middle of nowhere.
Rant over. I will now sit down with a nice cup of tea and wallow in the FACT that no matter what you bleat on about you will not stop it.. not now not ever. The Falmer stadium is coming.
Mr. Kipling
says...
8:38pm Tue 23 Dec 08
More News stories
- New football academy planned for stadium
- This muddy site is fans' paradise
- Work starts on Falmer stadium
- 'Cautious nod' to revised plans for stadium
- Falmer stadium will escape battle
- Falmer dream almost a reality
- Fans can be at stadium start
- Albion reveal Falmer kick-off
- Roll out the blue and white carpet
- Reaction: Falmer's on the way
Most popular
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Comment now! Register or sign in below.
Log in with us
Fields marked with * are mandatory.
Or
Log in with