How I grieve for the "hapless Albion supporter" (Letters, May 28) who missed the FA Cup Final because he had to queue so long for tickets to the play-off at Cardiff owing to "mismanagement".

Could he spare a thought for we "hapless residents" around Withdean Stadium?

Contrary to what the fans think, on the whole, we are a likeable and tolerant lot but our patience is running out.

How sad the fans had to wait so long but they partly created the problem.

There were enough tickets to go round and still some available last Friday.

But they all descend at once, in the early morning (some waiting overnight), dropping their cars haphazardly and dangerously around our residential area and disrupting the lives of residents.

The park and ride bus, which serves the community, had to run nearly empty because there were no parking space available for the city's thoughtful and eco-friendly visitors.

It must be very hard for Albion fans to endure such inefficiencies and it will be even more so with the team in Division One, when our meagre football ground cannot accommodate them all.

No doubt our "hapless" friend will be disgruntled again after Sunday's match when, undoubtedly, he will have been caught up in a gridlock caused by thousands of supporters journeying to and from Cardiff by road or rail, having paid for a vastly over-priced ticket and an over-rated journey.

Perhaps he might like to change his allegiance and support our local cricket team instead.

Valley Drive,

-Brighton