Albion fans have spoken of their pride as the club’s first European campaign came to an end with defeat on aggregate to Roma.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side had a roaring Amex Stadium behind them and took a 1-0 lead through a curling Danny Welbeck first half strike to keep their Europa League hopes alive.
Chants to the tune of the Great Escape soundtrack echoed around the stadium but the 4-0 aggregate deficit against I Giallorossi (The Yellow and Reds) was too much to overcome.
As the minutes ticked by on Thursday night and the reality dawned that Brighton would not be progressing past the round of 16, the home fans sounded their appreciation for the team’s efforts. It was a celebration of what has been a campaign full of highs and very few lows.
Those highs include beating former European champions Ajax twice and Marseille to win the group, as well as a resolute performance in the hostile atmosphere against AEK Athens where Albion came out 1-0 victors.
The lows were the reality check of that first game against the Greek giants, a 3-2 defeat back in September. And of course the 4-0 defeat to Roma on March 7.
“Fifteen years ago, we were getting ready to play Yeovil at Withdean, battling to avoid dropping into the fourth tier,” said Adrian Newnham, one of the key figures who ran the Bring Home The Albion campaign in 1998/99 and the Falmer For All campaign.
“Now we’ve travelled to three capitals plus France’s second city and welcomed those noisy fans to our own wonderful home.
“Growing up in the 1970s, Ajax were THE team so it was the standout tie from the draw. Therefore winning at the Johan Cruyff Arena with the thousands of fans in and out of the stadium the city is my highlight.
“I have been able to share these experiences with my wife and our three children which will never be beaten. My older boy's first away game was at Colchester and their most recent is at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
"It’s the stuff of dreams. And although we didn’t get to play in Spain this time, hasta la vista, we will be back.”
Lifelong season ticket holder David Thompson, from Hove, also travelled to every away game.
He said: “The feeling I have is pride in what the club has achieved, pride in the Europa campaign. From where we have come from to going to these grounds in Europe is just an incredible achievement. The atmospheres in Europe are so different to grounds in the UK.
“The ‘intensity’ from some of the home supporters was an eye opener. From the first game to the last game, the club has learnt along the way. From the Athens home game which was so disappointing, to the first 20 minutes in Marseille away.
“We were out of our depth, we were rabbits in headlights and then just started to accept the atmosphere and hostility. That game was so important for our campaign to get back from 2-0 down. It showed we can compete in these hostile, threatening environments and come away with results. It’s a credit to the players.”
“One highlight was in Rome, we were disappointed with the result, we went to a bar half full of Brighton fans and half full of Scottish rugby fans in kilts playing bagpipes. Brighton fans managed to turn any Scottish song into Billy Gilmour including Flower of Scotland.”
There were some hairy moments for Brighton supporters on the continent. Fans were accidentally teargassed by Greek authorities. The tear gas wafted into the stadium and fans were left grasping at their mouths and eyes.
People described it as “like being in the 1980s” when football hooliganism was rife in England. Then last week two Brighton fans were stabbed in the streets of Rome. They were all right and managed to attend the game the next day but it was a stark reminder of the potential dangers.
Despite this, fans were able to mainly stay out of trouble. The relaxed atmosphere in Athens before the game was a highlight for many travelling supporters.
Jack Stephenson was one of the fans attacked in Rome but still described his away experiences as the “trip of a lifetime”.
He said: “Travelling around Europe with my best friends and family to some of the biggest clubs in Europe, it doesn’t really get better than that.
“Marseille was an absolute cauldron of noise like nothing I’ve ever experienced, Ajax was like a 6,000-person stag do and Athens was the greatest trip I’ve ever been on, the food, the people, the football and most importantly three points.
“I don’t think there will be anything more surreal than watching my team win away in Europe followed by a Fatboy Slim gig until 5am. Tragedy in Rome, but what I can say, we’ve lived the dream. Here’s to the next one.
Maunie Catcheside, from Hove, said: “I am so proud of our club and what has been achieved. I didn’t get to the away games, but was lucky enough to get to them all at home. Watching these teams play here in ‘little old Brighton’ has been incredible.
“It has been one hell of a ride for us fans and I’ve savoured every single moment. Now we’ve had a taste of European football I’d like more of it please Mr Bloom."
And to finish off, who better to sum up the campaign than Jonathan Bradshaw, better known as the Brighton Bard. Jonathan, originally from Sussex, watched the games from Oklahoma where he now lives.
Brighton and Hove Albion’s European Journey
After we lost the first game,
and drew the second
with four more to play
our exit beckoned.
But we then beat Ajax
home and away
Followed by three points against Athens
and then Marseille.
We topped Group B
what a feat!
It was AS Roma
who we would next meet.
A two-legged tie
and whilst we beat them at home
1-0 was not enough
after they scored four in Rome.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel