DOROTHY Purvis’s family think she’s mad.
The 83 year old’s two former husbands, son and most of the people around her cannot quite believe how devoted she is to Brighton and Hove Albion.
She had her house painted blue after the death of her second husband, her windows are adorned with flags. She has a stained glass Seagulls badge in her front door.
The die-hard 83-year-old Albion fan has been dressed head to toe in blue and white since Monday.
Yesterday she was busy hanging more scarves on the front of her house and preparing to celebrate the end of the season in style.
Dorothy, who insists on being called Dot, said: “Im so pleased. They deserve it. They have played so well.“I have had some really good times.
“I have been a fan going back 45 years.
“I used to go to the Goldstone and I still have all the programmes.
“I have given up my season ticket because it costs a lot and I get quite cold in the stands now, but I will definitely be going to some games next season. I have always loved the atmosphere even if my family all think I’m mad. I had two husbands and neither of them ever went to the football with me.
“I tried to get my son interested but he’s not really fussed.
“But we used to have such fun.
“It s such a great time going to all the away games.
“And you meet such nice people.
“The first away game I ever went to was in Portsmouth.
“It was the first time I had ever seen blood at a football match and I thought ‘my goodness’. but it’s such fun.
“I cant wait for next season now.“
Her home is filled with Albion memorabilia - including programmes from every game she’s ever been to, which she regularly re-reads fondly.
“They’re all in my bedroom, pride of place” she said, but she hopes to find a suitable home for them.
Dot used to go to all the away games - once taking a flight from Gatwick to Newcastle before a coach to Sunderland when the Seagulls were in the old first division.
Part of her heart is still at the Goldstone. She remembers fondly the “chicken run” east terrace - before moving to the south stand.
“I couldn’t even go past the old ground when the shops first went up there for years,” she said.
But she has been won over by he American Express Community Stadium. She gave up her season ticket last year after finding the cold evenings in the stands too chilly and the bus journey back home a bit late. ButAnd she is determined to make a few Saturday games next season and promises to be at the front of the crowd for any victory parade.
But her Seagull blue terraced house is still not quite perfect.
“I’m looking for someone who’ll paint a seagull on it for me,” she said.
Dot is just one of those turning Brighton and Hove blue and white this week.
Students living in two houses on Viaduct Road were surprised to find their homes seagull-striped.
The mysterious mural appeared overnight. The tenants had no idea what was going on until their home was freshly decorated.
Scooter shop owner Kevin Falconer’s blue and white Vespa is proudly flying the Albion flag in Lewes Road.
Mr Falconer, managing director of CD Scooters, said he would be honoured to take part in any promotion celebrations.
He said: “I have a season ticket and go with my 12 year old son. “It’s perfect timing because he’s just the right age to really get into it.”
BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS IN MARCH TO TOP FLIGHT
FANS have been quite literally shedding blood, sweat and tears to show their devotion to the Seagulls.
Karen Fletcher had a seagull tattooed on her ankle yesterday by tattoo artist Oli Sugars at Magnum Opus.
Karen decided to have the permanent memento “as a permanent memory of Brighton and Hove Albion being promoted to the Premier League”.
“It is an amazing achievement we will all agree. I am a season ticket holder and will proudly watch them next season. I wanted to remind myself to never give up and keep fighting for your dreams. The players are an inspiration. “ Karen’s not the only one to declare her devotion in ink.
Terry Mitchell showed he was also blue and white through and through with a new tattoo on his leg of the Seagulls’ logo.
Fans across the city have been showing their devotion and can catch the excitement of the end of the season’s away games from the American Express Community Stadium The matches will be shown at the stadium so everyone can share in the last dramas of the season.
Seagulls fans can watch the game against Norwich in the Heineken Lounge at the Amex on Friday.
And the final league game of the season will be broadcast inside the stadium.
There will be 5,000 tickets to watch the game against Aston Villa on pitch-side screens on Sunday, May 7. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £2 for under-18s, with allocated seating in the west lower stand.
A limited number of tickets will also be available for the Mayo Wynne Baxter lounge priced at £20, which includes brunch.
Community answers
Fans celebrate Albion's promotion worldwide
"Fans of Brighton and Hove Albion have celebrated the club's promotion to the Premier League."
We asked for your responses - this is what you sent.
What is your response?Celebrating at the Amex
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Celebrating at the Amex 
Celebrating at the Amex What is your response?"We're on our way!!" From the Hayward's Heath crew on the Norfolk Broads!!
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"We're on our way!!" From the Hayward's Heath crew on the Norfolk Broads!! What is your response?1st Beer as a premier league club.
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1st Beer as a premier league club. What is your response?Father & son celebrating. I was his age the last time we were in the top flight!
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Father & son celebrating. I was his age the last time we were in the top flight! What is your response?Hannah Miller from Eastbourne
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Hannah Miller from Eastbourne What is your response?
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What is your response?Here in Plymouth Celebrating by decorating my shop 💙⚽ï¸ðŸ†ðŸ¾
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Here in Plymouth Celebrating by decorating my shop 💙⚽ï¸ðŸ†ðŸ¾ What is your response?Historic day at the Amex
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Historic day at the Amex 
Historic day at the Amex 
Historic day at the Amex What is your response?Barry Render from Shoreham-by-Sea celebrating Albion's promotion to the Premier League.
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Barry Render from Shoreham-by-Sea celebrating Albion's promotion to the Premier League. What is your response?We're on our way
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We're on our way 
We're on our way What is your response?Celebrating with Dad and son....... and Jiri!!! .....Seagulls!!!!!
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Celebrating with Dad and son....... and Jiri!!! .....Seagulls!!!!! 
Celebrating with Dad and son....... and Jiri!!! .....Seagulls!!!!! 
Celebrating with Dad and son....... and Jiri!!! .....Seagulls!!!!! What is your response?Celebrating Promotion in Houston Texas with a few beers!
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Celebrating Promotion in Houston Texas with a few beers! What is your response?Spotted in Viaduct Road
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Spotted in Viaduct Road What is your response?A brilliant day with my twins Ben and Rosie!
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A brilliant day with my twins Ben and Rosie! 
A brilliant day with my twins Ben and Rosie! What is your response?On the pitch with my boys George and Max. Connie getting excited back at home.
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On the pitch with my boys George and Max. Connie getting excited back at home. 
On the pitch with my boys George and Max. Connie getting excited back at home. What is your response?This photo was taken before the Albion game on Easter Monday. Father and Son have combined 90 years of support for the Albion. Tony Blunden ( Dad) from Worthing and Gary Blunden (Son) from Sevenoaks have been regular supporters since the 1960s. Both formerly from Brighton. They have supported the club through good and bad times. A lovely commendation to them both.
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This photo was taken before the Albion game on Easter Monday. Father and Son have combined 90 years of support for the Albion.Tony Blunden ( Dad) from Worthing and Gary Blunden (Son) from Sevenoaks have been regular supporters since the 1960s. Both formerly from Brighton. They have supported the club through good and bad times.A lovely commendation to them both. What is your response?
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What is your response?North stand boys in good spirits!
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North stand boys in good spirits! What is your response?So excited Brighton are on there way
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So excited Brighton are on there way What is your response?The Guvnor meeting Mr Bloom!! Congratulations Mr Chairman :-)
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The Guvnor meeting Mr Bloom!!Congratulations Mr Chairman :-) What is your response?Dreams come true !!!!
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Dreams come true !!!! What is your response?What a day!
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What a day! 
What a day! 
What a day! What is your response?Amazing scenes at the Amex yesterday
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Amazing scenes at the Amex yesterday 
Amazing scenes at the Amex yesterday 
Amazing scenes at the Amex yesterday 
Amazing scenes at the Amex yesterday What is your response?Please see if you can publish
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Please see if you can publish What is your response?I thought you may like to use a picture of my son, at full time as he realises the Albion have been promoted inside the Amex Stadium, Noah Hardy 13 years old, from Saltdean - I would love for it to be included in any supplement or the paper and I hope you agree it captures the moment perfectly . best wishes Phlip Hardy (Noahs dad) email; p_hardy4@sky.com
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I thought you may like to use a picture of my son, at full time as he realises the Albion have been promoted inside the Amex Stadium, Noah Hardy 13 years old, from Saltdean - I would love for it to be included in any supplement or the paper and I hope you agree it captures the moment perfectly .best wishesPhlip Hardy (Noahs dad) email; p_hardy4@sky.com 
I thought you may like to use a picture of my son, at full time as he realises the Albion have been promoted inside the Amex Stadium, Noah Hardy 13 years old, from Saltdean - I would love for it to be included in any supplement or the paper and I hope you agree it captures the moment perfectly .best wishesPhlip Hardy (Noahs dad) email; p_hardy4@sky.com What is your response?Greetings from Sweden I will be back for the last home game I have lived in Brighton since January 2016 and love Brighton Hove Albion , Seagulls !!
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Greetings from Sweden I will be back for the last home game I have lived in Brighton since January 2016 and love Brighton Hove Albion , Seagulls !! What is your response?Adam Saul, former season ticket holder, now living in Gibraltar, is flying the flag for the seagulls in Gib! UTA!!!
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Adam Saul, former season ticket holder, now living in Gibraltar, is flying the flag for the seagulls in Gib!UTA!!! 
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