Andy Naylor's comments about Albion's pre-match build-up at Withdean (The Argus, November 16) miss the point.
Although West Ham run out to I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles, this does little to energise the home fans. So subdued were they on Saturday that, despite the initial dominance of their team, Albion's fans were soon comparing the atmosphere at Upton Park to a library.
Many Withdean fans, especially away supporters, are complimentary of the music chosen by Albion's stalwart PA announcers, which compares favourably to the plastic pop which is broadcast at many grounds prior to a match.
However, the acoustics of the ground do make it difficult for music to be heard in some parts of the stadium, despite the sound being perfectly audible in the surrounding streets.
Any successful football club anthem needs to combine a sense of place with a "hook" which can demonstrate the fans' support for the team.
Sussex By The Sea does this in a way which locally-written classics such as Tom Hark and Right Here, Right Now do not, which is not to say Norman Cook and others could not come up with a better alternative.
For all the limitations, Albion's tenure at Withdean has coincided with the most successful period in the club's history.
Opposing teams have rarely regarded Withdean as "serene" but the recently-improved, Championship-quality playing surface has taken some of the inhibition out of their football.
And yet Albion's fans still have great reason to be optimistic about the future.
The best result of the season would see the club's application for Falmer finally being approved by the Deputy Prime Minister.
Now that would really raise the roof - if we had one.
-Paul Whelch, London E3
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