Key talks which kept Albion at the Amex

They came together to support the club and help secure the dream which at times had seemed out of reach.

For supporters at the moment, the Amex is temporarily out of reach again due to coronavirus.

But PC Balkham, who works as liaison between Sussex Police and the club, says the same values apply.

That includes fans again playing a vital role by making alternative arrangements for the five remaining home matchdays with the stadium closed to them.

Based on more than 20 years’ experience, PC Balkham trusts Albion and their supporters to make the next few weeks work with no danger to health and security.

And has assured his police bosses of that.

He told The Argus: “I’ve always prided myself that I’ve been able to plan football but this is totally a blank canvas in regards to how we go forward.

“Hopefully with the progression and the work we do, we will be able to see people back at the Amex sooner than people think.

“That is the goal. We don’t when it is.

“We are totally in the hands of Public Health England and the Government with regard to the guidelines.

“But demonstrating that professional sport can be held behind closed doors has got to be the way forward.

“We are at the stage at the moment where we all have to play our part.

“Whether it be going to the supermarket, going to the DIY store, going to the local refuse site, going to the open spaces in Brighton and Hove or going to football.

“The death rate and infection rate are coming down and decisions will be made at a national level.

“In Brighton, I really do think the fans will do the club proud.

“They have demonstrated that with the money they have given to the Albion As One fund.

“They have demonstrated that with giving their season ticket refund money back and helping the Albion raise a fantastic amount for charity - and that was a player initiative.

“This is almost back to the days of getting the stadium at Falmer.

“We are now wanting the stadium back again. It’s there, we just can’t have it at the moment.

“We have all got to play our part to be able to get back into the stadium.”

PC Balkham sees no reason for fans to try and get to the stadium.

He said: “I am not even saying it will be a minority who try. I’m hoping it will be no one.

“But, for those who are tempted, we will make it as difficult as possible for them to think about going there.

“There is nothing there for them to do. The nearest pub, which is The Swan in Falmer, will be closed.

“And the area itself will be covered with stewards.

“The stadium is sealed off. Where the gatehouse is, that is sealed off.

“The testing centre is obviously in the car parks.

“But you can’t walk up from the station now and that will remain.”

Albion have kept communication levels high during the pandemic – and that includes with the police.

Deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber revealed in late April that initial talks were already under way as to how matches could be played at the Amex behind closed doors.

At that stage, it was just about being ready for whatever verdict was reached by, ultimately, the Government.

PC Balkham said: “We are in constant dialogue with the club about every aspect of the Amex and we pride ourselves about having that kind of relationship with them.

“From a policing point of view, UK Police, this was always going to be a difficult situation.

“The Government were very clear with the lockdown at the beginning but then, quite rightly, there has got to be some point where that tap gets turned on in regard to people’s livelihoods, people going back to work and also social activity commencing.

“With football being the nation’s sport, that was always going to be high on the agenda.

“I know there is a financial aspect to this as well and I can understand that.

“But we obviously look at it from public health and public safety.

“This was bigger than Brighton, this was bigger than Sussex Police.

“This was a national discussion which had to be held at a national level.

“That didn’t mean we couldn’t have conversations with our main partner to discuss what they were thinking and what they were doing.

“Neutral venues was mooted at the beginning from a national point of view and I’d say Brighton ticks the boxes for most things given its location.

“We were always open to conversations with the club but we knew we couldn’t commit until the Premier League had worked out their plan.

“There was an awful lot of conversations, meetings, overuse of Skype to get in the position where we are, which is one we are quite comfortable with in regard to the Amex.

“We knew we couldn’t say Yes or No but we knew there was going to be a time when we would be told what was happening and then we would have to make plans.

“We wanted to be ahead of the game a little bit and have some plans of what it looked like for us and the club.”

PC Balkham has visited the Amex, where red, amber and green security zones are being set-up.

He said: “I’ve been walking around and having a look so I can understand their operation and their plan and how we can complement that on a matchday.

“I echo Paul Barber’s thoughts. This is a trust thing.

“It’s not a trust in regards to the Albion supporters, it’s a trust in regards to health and getting the Amex back to 30,000 being in that stadium.”

PC Balkham enjoys engaging with fans on Twitter and his well-known support of Manchester United is a source of a few jokes with followers.

He added: “What I would say to Brighton fans is the games are big for them. Unfortunately, they are games which would be quite high profile in regards to the teams they are playing.

“One of them is the team I’ve supported all my life and even I won’t get to see it!

“But it’s a trust thing. This isn’t Sussex Police saying you must do this.

“This is just common sense where people will know people who have been touched by Covid, whether it be through losing their jobs because of industries going under.

“Or, absolute worst case scenarios, they have lost loved ones or not been able to attend friends’ funerals.

“This is all because of a virus which is invisible but has caused an awful lot of pain and anguish across the world.

“What we don’t want to do in Brighton is to add to that.

“We are confident in Albion’s ability to put events on.

“We have done the Rugby World Cup there, we have done England internationals and we have a tried and tested relationship.

“They have got a tried and tested plan in terms of operating that stadium.

“The stadium lends itself to being a fenced-off area, which it will be.

“We are working with the club in regards to the hot zones - the red, amber and green zones.

“We have also got to look at the city as well. The Amex is six miles away from the city.

“I’m fully expecting the pubs will be reopened during this period and that is another aspect we have to look at.”