Boxing Day blank for Albion (From The Argus)
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Boxing Day blank for Albion
12:20pm Friday 19th October 2012 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Safety was the major concern confirmed Paul Barber
Albion will not be playing on Boxing Day at The Amex.
Their festive fixture against Millwall has been brought forward to Tuesday December 18 (7.45pm) for travel and safety reasons.
More than threequarters of supporters travel to the stadium by train or bus.
Paul Barber, Albion's chief executive, said: "Boxing Day is one of the key fixtures in the football calendar and ideally we wanted to stage the traditional festive fixture on the 26th.
"However, following discussions with the Football League and our safety advisory group – including the local police, fire and ambulance services – it was clear that for a stadium which relies so heavily on public transport it would have been impossible to be able to guarantee the safe and convenient movement of 26,000-plus spectators."
Albion are hopeful they will be able to stage Boxing Day matches at The Amex in future seasons.
Comments(70)
Stripes
says...
12:40pm Fri 19 Oct 12
CAKEBEARD
says...
12:44pm Fri 19 Oct 12
pablobrowno
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1:00pm Fri 19 Oct 12
fairweathersupporter
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1:02pm Fri 19 Oct 12
VegasSeagull
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1:05pm Fri 19 Oct 12
CAKEBEARD wrote:I think this decision is all about the fact that the opposition is Millwall, had it been Blackpool or someone like Leicester the game would have gone ahead.
Why are they hopeful to stage Boxing day fixtures in the future then? what's gonna change?
I am pretty sure that had the opposition been Palace the reaction would have been the same. The fact that the game is on Boxing Day just adds more fuel to the fire, playing th ematch on a regular day takes some of the heat out of it.
pjwilk
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1:18pm Fri 19 Oct 12
farside
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1:47pm Fri 19 Oct 12
VegasSeagull wrote:I'm sure this is right and I really can't understand the point in the club/league/police etc not admitting it. Hooliganism in football exists and trying to hide it or deny it will not make it go away.
CAKEBEARD wrote: Why are they hopeful to stage Boxing day fixtures in the future then? what's gonna change?I think this decision is all about the fact that the opposition is Millwall, had it been Blackpool or someone like Leicester the game would have gone ahead. I am pretty sure that had the opposition been Palace the reaction would have been the same. The fact that the game is on Boxing Day just adds more fuel to the fire, playing th ematch on a regular day takes some of the heat out of it.
That said it creates yet another gap on a traditional football day. We must play less Saturday and holiday games than anyone and ultimately that will cost the club support as those in work and those with children become increasingly disillusioned with the constant flow of weekday evening games
Sells1
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1:54pm Fri 19 Oct 12
This has spoilt my Christmas ! Another Tuesday evening game isn't quite the same.
Baldseagull
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1:55pm Fri 19 Oct 12
VegasSeagull wrote:Because of difficulties in public transport on Boxing day, the league always try to make it a nearer club, for us that means Millwall, Charlton or Palace this season as Pompey went down and Reading, Saints and West Ham went up.
CAKEBEARD wrote:I think this decision is all about the fact that the opposition is Millwall, had it been Blackpool or someone like Leicester the game would have gone ahead.
Why are they hopeful to stage Boxing day fixtures in the future then? what's gonna change?
I am pretty sure that had the opposition been Palace the reaction would have been the same. The fact that the game is on Boxing Day just adds more fuel to the fire, playing th ematch on a regular day takes some of the heat out of it.
We are never going to get Leicester or Blackpool on Boxing Day.
How long have you followed football?
UpperEast
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1:58pm Fri 19 Oct 12
PressBoxTeaBoy
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2:07pm Fri 19 Oct 12
This is a real shame, the Boxing Day tradition and all that, and while I fully understand the reasons why its been changed, I think this highlights what the only major problem is with the Amex, and that's the reliance on Public Transport, (due to lack of parking).
To cancel this fixture date shows a serious weakness in the set up and shows how agencies outside of the football club are more in control than the club itself, and that's not good. We should be able to play a standard Boxing Day fixture against anyone in the football leagues, and the fact that outside agencies and the club fear playing this one on Boxing Day is serious admission of weakness in infrastructure, vision, and planning. There will be games very much like this one going on all over the country on Boxing Day.
It's a real shame and somewhat of an embarrassment for the club and the city in my humble opinion.
dave from bexill
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2:12pm Fri 19 Oct 12
the herbster
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2:37pm Fri 19 Oct 12
ShorehamBeachcomber
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2:41pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Tommy11
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3:31pm Fri 19 Oct 12
CanfieldRob
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3:33pm Fri 19 Oct 12
PressBoxTeaBoy wrote:I agree with PBTB in that it is rather an embarrassment for the club. Does this decision mean we will request an away fixture on Boxing Day in future? As said above, why will things be any different in future years.
Ah, the first real chink in the armor of our nice new stadium then !
This is a real shame, the Boxing Day tradition and all that, and while I fully understand the reasons why its been changed, I think this highlights what the only major problem is with the Amex, and that's the reliance on Public Transport, (due to lack of parking).
To cancel this fixture date shows a serious weakness in the set up and shows how agencies outside of the football club are more in control than the club itself, and that's not good. We should be able to play a standard Boxing Day fixture against anyone in the football leagues, and the fact that outside agencies and the club fear playing this one on Boxing Day is serious admission of weakness in infrastructure, vision, and planning. There will be games very much like this one going on all over the country on Boxing Day.
It's a real shame and somewhat of an embarrassment for the club and the city in my humble opinion.
rolivan
says...
3:52pm Fri 19 Oct 12
This is why they needed another platform then they could have run a shuttle service to and fro Brighton.They spend millions on Cycle Lanes and yet when it comes to something that will bring revenue to the City it is a no go.I suggest you get intouch with your Councillors and M.Ps to put pressure on Network and Southern Rail and Brighton and Hove Council
saraman
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4:00pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Vince
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4:14pm Fri 19 Oct 12
The bad news is having to stand in a queue for an hour on a Tuesday night after the game because they can't provide enough buses.
Vince
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4:15pm Fri 19 Oct 12
The bad news is having to stand in a queue for an hour on a Tuesday night after the game because they can't provide enough buses.
VegasSeagull
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4:23pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Baldseagull wrote:Plonker, the two teams I suggested were because of fan behavior, I could have suggested many others, or did you not understand that in the way so others did.
VegasSeagull wrote:Because of difficulties in public transport on Boxing day, the league always try to make it a nearer club, for us that means Millwall, Charlton or Palace this season as Pompey went down and Reading, Saints and West Ham went up. We are never going to get Leicester or Blackpool on Boxing Day. How long have you followed football?CAKEBEARD wrote: Why are they hopeful to stage Boxing day fixtures in the future then? what's gonna change?I think this decision is all about the fact that the opposition is Millwall, had it been Blackpool or someone like Leicester the game would have gone ahead. I am pretty sure that had the opposition been Palace the reaction would have been the same. The fact that the game is on Boxing Day just adds more fuel to the fire, playing th ematch on a regular day takes some of the heat out of it.
How long has your brain been on shut down.
Cabin fever
says...
4:26pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Calling the club poor and pathetic; suggesting the game was moved because of who the opposition is; and having a pop at Paul Barber being 'premier league' (whatever that means), and suggesting that he and his co-workers need to 'remember where the club has come from a bit more'?
Totally OTT if you ask me, just because a game isn't played the day after Christmas day. If you ask me, that's a small price to pay for being in the best new stadium in the country.
And if your Christmas will actually be ruined by this, because it leaves a void in your life, then I really feel for you.
rolivan
says...
4:42pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Cabin fever wrote:Boxing Day has always been THE SPORTS DAY OF THE YEAR.
Is it me, or is everyone getting a bit carried away with this?
Calling the club poor and pathetic; suggesting the game was moved because of who the opposition is; and having a pop at Paul Barber being 'premier league' (whatever that means), and suggesting that he and his co-workers need to 'remember where the club has come from a bit more'?
Totally OTT if you ask me, just because a game isn't played the day after Christmas day. If you ask me, that's a small price to pay for being in the best new stadium in the country.
And if your Christmas will actually be ruined by this, because it leaves a void in your life, then I really feel for you.
Sevensisters
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4:46pm Fri 19 Oct 12
jarbstokes
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4:58pm Fri 19 Oct 12
dave from bexill
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5:08pm Fri 19 Oct 12
I totally agree with others that Boxing Day is a traditional football day and as such shouldn't be messed with. However, from my own point of view I'd already guessed I'd have to miss the match because of transport difficulties, so being a bit selfish I can't say I'm sorry. Bit surprised the club didn't try and get an away fixture instead when fixtures were announced as they've managed to do when the Uni has had something happening.Still all in all, it's not much of a sacrifice to make when considering all the positives in respect of the Amex and our football team UTA
fratsomrover
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5:15pm Fri 19 Oct 12
BHA Dave
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5:27pm Fri 19 Oct 12
saraman
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5:43pm Fri 19 Oct 12
rolivan wrote:Here here.
Cabin fever wrote: Is it me, or is everyone getting a bit carried away with this? Calling the club poor and pathetic; suggesting the game was moved because of who the opposition is; and having a pop at Paul Barber being 'premier league' (whatever that means), and suggesting that he and his co-workers need to 'remember where the club has come from a bit more'? Totally OTT if you ask me, just because a game isn't played the day after Christmas day. If you ask me, that's a small price to pay for being in the best new stadium in the country. And if your Christmas will actually be ruined by this, because it leaves a void in your life, then I really feel for you.Boxing Day has always been THE SPORTS DAY OF THE YEAR.
tinker000
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5:45pm Fri 19 Oct 12
cvs
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5:47pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Clean Sheet
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5:58pm Fri 19 Oct 12
tug509
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6:08pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Alfie T
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6:10pm Fri 19 Oct 12
saraman wrote:Please don't come on here banging on about how the stadium should have been built elsewhere, what a pointless waste of time, we have the greatest stadium we could have ever hoped for and it's built in the best place available. If its traffic or waiting for public transport that's your biggest concern, go and watch Crawley, you can park outside the ground.
As much as I love the Amex I have always maintained that Waterhall was the best site. Transport ploblems at the Amex will always exist unless the field to the east is used for additional parking. The Boxing day and Easter Monday fixtures are the highlight of the football season. Another day with the in-laws.
PressBoxTeaBoy
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6:10pm Fri 19 Oct 12
rolivan wrote:The problem isn't that there's only a Sunday rail service on Boxing Day, it's more because we are so reliant on having the railway service be the only mass movement system to get people to the stadium and that's issue the club and the city need to overcome.
T he problem seems to be that there is only a Sunday Service on Boxing Day so not enough Trains to get 26,000 supporters to and fro the Stadium in a short space of time.
This is why they needed another platform then they could have run a shuttle service to and fro Brighton.They spend millions on Cycle Lanes and yet when it comes to something that will bring revenue to the City it is a no go.I suggest you get intouch with your Councillors and M.Ps to put pressure on Network and Southern Rail and Brighton and Hove Council
I noticed that Arsenal entertain West Ham on Boxing Day, so a local derby of sorts, and at least one of the clubs with a somewhat dubious crowd bother "potential"', but that's not cancelled because of a Sunday rail service issue.
PressBoxTeaBoy
says...
6:18pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Alfie T wrote:I don't think he's complaining about traffic congestion or waiting for a train, he' s complaining about there not being a game on, on a special day of the football calendar, so any traffic or train issues are a moot point, and I agree with him, don't build a stadium in a place where you can't reach it except by train, when the police, the rail services and other outside agencies cant or wont support the fixture list due bloody rail service restrictions .
saraman wrote:Please don't come on here banging on about how the stadium should have been built elsewhere, what a pointless waste of time, we have the greatest stadium we could have ever hoped for and it's built in the best place available. If its traffic or waiting for public transport that's your biggest concern, go and watch Crawley, you can park outside the ground.
As much as I love the Amex I have always maintained that Waterhall was the best site. Transport ploblems at the Amex will always exist unless the field to the east is used for additional parking. The Boxing day and Easter Monday fixtures are the highlight of the football season. Another day with the in-laws.
We've overcome cancelled games due to frozen pitches by building the Amex, but now we have a frozen Police force and rail service to contend with ?
What next ?
golddene
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6:19pm Fri 19 Oct 12
saraman
says...
6:21pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Alfie T wrote:It's just these problems that supports my arguement. I have no problems with transport but clearly there is a problem with the authorities and the Albion. Your comment of me supporting Crawley is unwarrented and deeply resented. I'm only stating the situation as I see it.
saraman wrote: As much as I love the Amex I have always maintained that Waterhall was the best site. Transport ploblems at the Amex will always exist unless the field to the east is used for additional parking. The Boxing day and Easter Monday fixtures are the highlight of the football season. Another day with the in-laws.Please don't come on here banging on about how the stadium should have been built elsewhere, what a pointless waste of time, we have the greatest stadium we could have ever hoped for and it's built in the best place available. If its traffic or waiting for public transport that's your biggest concern, go and watch Crawley, you can park outside the ground.
Baldseagull
says...
6:29pm Fri 19 Oct 12
VegasSeagull wrote:The game has moved for transport reasons.
Baldseagull wrote:Plonker, the two teams I suggested were because of fan behavior, I could have suggested many others, or did you not understand that in the way so others did.
VegasSeagull wrote:Because of difficulties in public transport on Boxing day, the league always try to make it a nearer club, for us that means Millwall, Charlton or Palace this season as Pompey went down and Reading, Saints and West Ham went up. We are never going to get Leicester or Blackpool on Boxing Day. How long have you followed football?CAKEBEARD wrote: Why are they hopeful to stage Boxing day fixtures in the future then? what's gonna change?I think this decision is all about the fact that the opposition is Millwall, had it been Blackpool or someone like Leicester the game would have gone ahead. I am pretty sure that had the opposition been Palace the reaction would have been the same. The fact that the game is on Boxing Day just adds more fuel to the fire, playing th ematch on a regular day takes some of the heat out of it.
How long has your brain been on shut down.
As you are an armchair fan who only has press reports to form opinion on, you could be forgiven for thinking that Brighton/Millwall is a high risk game for violence, truth is we both hate Palace and I haven't seen serious trouble between us and Millwall for years they do give loads of verbal abuse though. Blackpool usually have more than a few up for a scrap and Leicester have some very nasty boys.
Pick again if you are looking for child friendly away support.
Claude Back
says...
6:31pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Cabin fever wrote:Well said, Cabin Fever.
Is it me, or is everyone getting a bit carried away with this?
Calling the club poor and pathetic; suggesting the game was moved because of who the opposition is; and having a pop at Paul Barber being 'premier league' (whatever that means), and suggesting that he and his co-workers need to 'remember where the club has come from a bit more'?
Totally OTT if you ask me, just because a game isn't played the day after Christmas day. If you ask me, that's a small price to pay for being in the best new stadium in the country.
And if your Christmas will actually be ruined by this, because it leaves a void in your life, then I really feel for you.
As Gus says in the Argus, 'Some people need to get a life'.
Alfie T
says...
6:45pm Fri 19 Oct 12
saraman wrote:Sorry Saraman,didn't want to offend you, but after years of looking at suitable sites Falmer was the best option, and no,it's not perfect but I wouldn't change it. I agree it's disappointing regarding the boxing day fixture, but after so many years of frustration for me it's a minor irritation,and one I can live with. Who knows, if there are options to improve the transport infrastructure I'm sure the club are exploring them.
Alfie T wrote:It's just these problems that supports my arguement. I have no problems with transport but clearly there is a problem with the authorities and the Albion. Your comment of me supporting Crawley is unwarrented and deeply resented. I'm only stating the situation as I see it.
saraman wrote: As much as I love the Amex I have always maintained that Waterhall was the best site. Transport ploblems at the Amex will always exist unless the field to the east is used for additional parking. The Boxing day and Easter Monday fixtures are the highlight of the football season. Another day with the in-laws.Please don't come on here banging on about how the stadium should have been built elsewhere, what a pointless waste of time, we have the greatest stadium we could have ever hoped for and it's built in the best place available. If its traffic or waiting for public transport that's your biggest concern, go and watch Crawley, you can park outside the ground.
I'm Batman
says...
6:50pm Fri 19 Oct 12
The number of staff who said they would/could work was incredibly low to start with due to Xmas travel plans and Millwall playing. With those low numbers the whole safe running of the stadium for the game has been in doubt for a month or two now.
The rail company I believe were also unhappy of the risk of trouble from the away fans on what would be a limited Xmas service and had threatened to pull the trains altogether if the game had gone ahead.
Baldseagull
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6:58pm Fri 19 Oct 12
jed jenkins
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7:42pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Might just cancel the season ticket and go wth Whitehawk instead.
the herbster
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7:43pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Millwall are going to take great exception to this. And you cant really blame them, a real insult to them.This has not happened to another away team on Boxing day. Can we not ever hold a boxing day fixure at home now , i fear not.
jed jenkins
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7:44pm Fri 19 Oct 12
jed jenkins
says...
7:59pm Fri 19 Oct 12
championshipgull
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8:14pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Cabin fever
says...
8:28pm Fri 19 Oct 12
jed jenkins wrote:Bye bye. Plenty on the waiting list to take your place.
what a joke. So Millwall might be a problem? 40 years plus arning not enough? If Celtic can play Rangers onNew Years Day (in the past obviously) then surely Sussex Police can handle this. Or...why not have a word and get someone els here for Boxing Day. Like the continued 5.30 kick offs one weekend in October becuse of University goings on...just insist on an away game that weekend. Great fans, great stadium, grat team...hopeless adminstrators...and don't get me started on the transport fiasco at ever game.
Might just cancel the season ticket and go wth Whitehawk instead.
DorsetSeagull
says...
9:04pm Fri 19 Oct 12
All par for the course, just like queuing for the park n ride, nobody likes it but would you rather still be homeless and hopeless? Would've missed the Millwall game on Boxing Day, as many would, due to other committments, but can now go, albeit on a Tues night. And although verbal, we don't have a problem with Millwall fans generally, so I don't believe the issue was this, only what the club has stated.
Trunky
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9:22pm Fri 19 Oct 12
pjwilk
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9:28pm Fri 19 Oct 12
VegasSeagull
says...
9:29pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Ringmer Rich
says...
9:31pm Fri 19 Oct 12
tug509
says...
9:46pm Fri 19 Oct 12
VegasSeagull wrote:Thanks for the chuckle Vegas.UTA
Remember a football club is for life not just for Christmas.
rolivan
says...
10:07pm Fri 19 Oct 12
keswick
says...
10:53pm Fri 19 Oct 12
jed jenkins wrote:Clearly a real fan then. Cancel your ticket and let a genuine fan go. One kick off at 17.30 throws you, wow. Were you late for your dinner ?
what a joke. So Millwall might be a problem? 40 years plus arning not enough? If Celtic can play Rangers onNew Years Day (in the past obviously) then surely Sussex Police can handle this. Or...why not have a word and get someone els here for Boxing Day. Like the continued 5.30 kick offs one weekend in October becuse of University goings on...just insist on an away game that weekend. Great fans, great stadium, grat team...hopeless adminstrators...and don't get me started on the transport fiasco at ever game. Might just cancel the season ticket and go wth Whitehawk instead.
Brighton Bill
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11:01pm Fri 19 Oct 12
remluf
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12:14am Sat 20 Oct 12
jed jenkins
says...
6:13am Sat 20 Oct 12
keswick wrote:yeah...35 years of watching the Albion given up just because of my dinner. Hope the genuine fan who gets my seat enjoys it.
jed jenkins wrote:Clearly a real fan then. Cancel your ticket and let a genuine fan go. One kick off at 17.30 throws you, wow. Were you late for your dinner ?
what a joke. So Millwall might be a problem? 40 years plus arning not enough? If Celtic can play Rangers onNew Years Day (in the past obviously) then surely Sussex Police can handle this. Or...why not have a word and get someone els here for Boxing Day. Like the continued 5.30 kick offs one weekend in October becuse of University goings on...just insist on an away game that weekend. Great fans, great stadium, grat team...hopeless adminstrators...and don't get me started on the transport fiasco at ever game. Might just cancel the season ticket and go wth Whitehawk instead.
Ringmer Rich
says...
7:25am Sat 20 Oct 12
Alfie T
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7:49am Sat 20 Oct 12
wiseman of hove
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9:33am Sat 20 Oct 12
However, fantastic stadium, a progressive club generally, a chance to see my favourite player Buckley when fit, reminding me of real wingers from the past, the prospect of premiership football - I'm happy to go with the flow.
Captain Haddock
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10:22am Sat 20 Oct 12
DorsetSeagull wrote:Agree with this. Also, I too am lucky enough to benefit from the change.
Having our first new stadium in over 100 years is always going to throw up situations and challenges for the club, until things run as smoothly as they wish.
All par for the course, just like queuing for the park n ride, nobody likes it but would you rather still be homeless and hopeless? Would've missed the Millwall game on Boxing Day, as many would, due to other committments, but can now go, albeit on a Tues night. And although verbal, we don't have a problem with Millwall fans generally, so I don't believe the issue was this, only what the club has stated.
Captain Haddock
says...
10:29am Sat 20 Oct 12
pjwilk wrote:It's far from ideal but given where we are and will remain (Falmer) it is also VERY far from a shambles.
Transport to the Amex is a shambles.It is a big problem and should have been ironed out before it came into use.Its all one way by train into Brighton(or Lewes) and getting onto that bloody bypass is a nightmare.
The service has undoubtedly improved as the relevant parties have quickly learnt from any problems. If you re-read the article it's the fact the public transport guys were very unkeen and threatening to pull the plug anyway that has caused the change.
The club would have probably had to pay a fortune to cover the costs and the staff would have been very unhappy to work....if a number of train staff didn't show how interesting would that get?! If the club did pay out they'd pass that onto us.
Captain Haddock
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10:31am Sat 20 Oct 12
Brighton Bill wrote:Lifetime ban now then. He's one of the many reasons I despise Leeds.
Leeds "Scumbag" named as Adam Cawley previously BANNED before this incident.
Brighton Bill
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4:05pm Sun 21 Oct 12
Captain Haddock wrote:Sorry I meant Aarron not Adam
Brighton Bill wrote:Lifetime ban now then. He's one of the many reasons I despise Leeds.
Leeds "Scumbag" named as Adam Cawley previously BANNED before this incident.
Cash Bull
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10:08am Mon 22 Oct 12
Alfie T wrote:Yes, It seems it was, as was selling Steve Cook. Tommy has been lack lustre and his touch has deserted him. However, Eddie Howe, fresh from beating league leaders Tranmere 3-1 on Saturday has asked for time to sort it out.
Off Topic, interesting times at Bournemouth FC, appears Tommy is less than popular with the fans, a good bit of business by the Albion.
portslade pete
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12:29am Wed 24 Oct 12
danb666 wrote:Does the Albion have any sense of occasion, and understand the fans love of Boxing Day fixtures? Safety reasons are a cop out. They should pull out all the stops to put the game on and recognise the fans loyallity. Disgraceful....
Just have to beat Millwall a few days earlier then!
danb666 says...
12:39pm Fri 19 Oct 12