ALBION fans have waited 34 years to see their club back in the big time and they were not disappointed with the experience despite a 2-0 opening day defeat.

The city was fizzing with anticipation ahead of Saturday’s big game; pubs were packed out with home and visiting fans drinking in the atmosphere.

The years of heartache and desperate struggles that followed Division One relegation in 1983, and the anticipation of taking their place in the world’s greatest league, was all released in the deafening ten minutes before kick-off as PA system and fans united to create a fantastic reception for both teams.

Supporters spurred on the brave rearguard effort by Albion’s players and revelled in the pantomime moments of trying to bring Manchester City’s stable of world-class players down a peg or two by cheering their simple errors.

Even after the game, hearty cries of Albion rang around Brighton station as fans made their way home or, just as likely, to the pub to celebrate a momentous day.

Cliff Ettridge, 48 from Preston Park, Brighton, said: “There was a lot of emotion. It feels like we have been on quite a journey but at the moment we don’t know if reaching the Premier League is the end of that journey or if there are more chapters to write.

“We lost a whole generation [of young fans] when we were at the Priestfield and Withdean. You couldn’t get the tickets and, with the greatest respect, Oldham Athletic do not have the same pull as Manchester City.

“Those young fans coming now, they won’t care about 1997 [the sale of the Goldstone], they will just enjoy the football. Football shouldn’t be about unscrupulous owners, it should be about the game.”

Among those young fans, all dressed up in Albion tops and blue-and-white curly wigs, were sisters Madeleine, 14, Genevieve and Megan, both 11.

Their mother said they had taken stick from boys at their school over the years about why they did not support a Premier League club but they were suddenly very popular now.

Pete Dowling, 56 from Peacehaven, said: “We’re punching above our weight but we deserve to be here because of where we came from. We nearly went out of existence. I never thought I would see this day.

“A lot of us had to go to Gillingham when we were homeless. This makes all that worthwhile.

“It’s just a shame that some of those people who went through all that never got to see this.

“We probably could have squeezed another 10,000 in. It’s fantastic when you see the advertising boards.

“We used to have sponsors offering £50 for A4 leaflets and now we have Chinese betting syndicates. We have huge international interest in us.”

Hugh Lisher, 70, from Angmering, said: “Finishing in the top 17 is what we want and we’re hopeful. Nobody is backing us – all the pundits say we’re going down.

“The game has changed so much since the last time we were in the top flight. It is so much quicker, it’s a completely different game.

“The atmosphere is better at the Amex. The Goldstone was great when we were last in the top flight but it was quite open.”

Steve Maple, 47, from Southwick, said: “I absolutely loved it. We’ve waited more than 30 years to see us in the Premier League.

“I think we do appreciate it more because of where we have been. It is a dream come true. There is lots to be optimistic about.”

Justin Holland, 45, from Hurstpierpoint, said: “I think on days like this, fans are really grateful to people like Tony Bloom and Dick Knight for all they’ve done for the club. They’re the heroes as much as the players.

“I think we can do better than just survival. I think we will do better than people expect and finish mid table.”

Ian Turner, 70, from Hollingbury, Brighton, said: “It was disappointing that it was just two mistakes and we were 2-0 down but when you consider who we were playing, we could have been embarrassed and we were not.

“Going forward we didn’t expect anything and we didn’t show much.

“But for the home games we really have to win against the likes of Bournemouth, Huddersfield and West Brom. I don’t think we will set up in the same way.”

Adam Jeffs, from Lancing, was sporting a 20-year-old Albion top adorned with the signatures of Albion legends including Peter Ward and Des Lynam.

He said: “It is a bit threadbare but it still goes through the wash.”

Brothers Michael and Bradley Nailard, from Findon, had worked as stewards in the early years of the Amex but were able to enjoy the big day as fans.

They said: “When we were growing up you tended to support Premier League teams, the teams doing well, and then you’d follow your home town team.

“From today, Brighton kids can do both.”

Mark Norman, a Manchester City fan from Brighton, was happy his team took the three points but he will be cheering on the Seagulls for the rest of the season having followed them through the wilderness years.

He said: “It’s a Premier League stadium, it’s a European stadium. I just hope this season is not a one-off.”

Sue Lambert had a nice surprise in the days leading up to the big game.

She said: “I got a phone call saying, ‘We’d like to move your seats to five rows behind the dugout’. They’re the best seats in the house.”

Given a taste of what its all about, fans now just want more.

And there’s no doubt the Amex will be a rocking when the Seagulls do claim that first home Premier League win.