A FOOTBALL-MAD actor who was disenfranchised with the money-driven modern game rediscovered his love of football through a trip to the Withdean.

Cold Feet star Robert Bathurst entered the stadium in 2009 with a “passive interest” as he prepared to watch Gus Poyet take the reigns for his first game in charge of Albion.

But he left with a rekindled affection for the sport (as well as an “Hola Gus” T-shirt) having watched the Seagulls defeat Wycombe 2-1 in the FA Cup.

“I adored the spirit of the club,” Robert said, “it reminded me why I loved the game.”

The Argus:

More than a decade later, the actor admitted his weekend moods were still very dependent on the Albion result.

He said: “As my journey started with the club in the lower reaches of League One, I can’t be accused of being a Johnny Come Lately, only following success, and it’s been a real pleasure, and agony, to witness the development of the club from Withdean to the Amex, from the third tier to the Premier League.

“We’ve certainly come a long, long way together in a relatively short space of time but that spirit, a legacy of the whole Goldstone horror-show and the Gillingham and Withdean years, is still very much part of the fabric of the club.

“For those fans of a certain vintage, the pride they feel when they take their seat in the stadium is, I’m sure, heightened by the terrible times the club went through.”

The Argus:

He hailed “real fans” Dick Knight and Tony Bloom, the club’s past and present chairmen, for preserving “the feeling and sense of belonging that all supporters have for the club” as well as remembering his favourite players from recent years.

Talismanic striker Glenn Murray was singled out for particular praise.

Robert said: “The wing wizards Will Buckley and Kazenga LuaLua have been my favourites, likewise Adam El-Abd and Sergeant-Major Dunk.

The Argus:

“Then, of course, there’s Glenn Murray. When he retires he’s going to be lauded as a huge presence at the club, despite those wasted years spent elsewhere.

“That was painful to see, but I love the fact he came back and exceeded hope and expectation by being a powerful presence at all levels.”

Robert played the character of David Marsden in popular comedy-drama Cold Feet for five series between 1997 and 2003, before reprising the role for a further four series 2016. But, despite filming commitments, Robert continues to make it to Albion games whenever he can.