Albion fan Mick Fay made a round trip of 16,000 miles and spent £2,000 to see his beloved football team - only to find out the game was sold out.

When Mick jumped on the plane from Bangkok, he never gave it a second thought that he would not be able to get a ticket.

The football trip of a lifetime was going to be the climax of his 40th birthday celebrations but it looked as if his plans had been wrecked.

Mick contacted The Argus and, when we spoke to the club, they were happy to oblige with a ticket for last night's match against Coventry City and this Saturday's against Norwich City.

With Albion playing their games at Withdean Stadium, which has a capacity of under 7,000, tickets are hard to find.

He feared that he would have had to check out the score on the internet, which is what he does when living in Thailand.

Mick said: "I'll have travelled thousands of miles to see the Albion, spent thousands getting here and I can't even get to the game.

"I got a friend to get me a ticket and he tried the ticket office and internet but there was no chance.

"I know the Albion are having problems with building the new stadium but they are a First Division club and should have a stadium reflecting their status.

"I have been a massive fan of Albion ever since I was a small boy. I was on the terraces in the 70s and 80s.

"Since I have been in Thailand, I have had to keep track of the results and news via the club's website."

Before Mick emigrated to Thailand 15 years ago, he had lived in Worthing all his life. He now runs his own diving centre on the idyllic island of Ko Samui.

This is his first trip back to Britain for more than two years and, thanks to us and the Albion, he will complete his dream.

He added: "I rarely get back to this country because of work. I was gutted that I couldn't go and watch the game, but now it's a dream come true."

A Brighton and Hove Albion spokesman said: "This shows the huge need for a bigger stadium at Falmer and the massive demands we have for tickets. I'm glad we were able to work something out."

More on the Seagulls at thisisthealbion.co.uk