Your Shout: The ups and downs of following the Seagulls

As a very small boy I often asked Dad when he returned home from a match: "How did we get on?"

I really didn't know what 'we' or 'get on' meant as the Albion and football matches were far beyond my very youthful understanding of life, but at least my question always seemed to make Dad beam.

Then came the invariable reply: "We won!", accompanied by a big hug - that was the season in the early Fifties when Ipswich pipped us and won Division 3 (South).

Later on I grew to understand what 'we' really meant. My grandmother was the first woman season ticket holder at the Goldstone in 1901 and before marrying Mr Golds her maiden name was Stone (get it ?).

And, of course, as serendipity would have it, my other grandparents lived in Albion Street, Portslade.

Some years later, working not too many miles from Bali Hai in the South Pacific, my weekly 'Hai' was the Thursday mail - all the Albion cuttings from the Classified Argus that Dad, a season ticket holder, religiously air-mailed to me each Monday.

Later still came the Bamber years with Mullery at the helm and Wardy slamming home glorious goals from every conceivable angle and distance. Who can forget that first half at Newcastle?

And then came possibly the worst but happiest hour in every Albion supporter's life - half-time and that gut wrenching second half at Hereford.

Albion's very existence hanging by a thread attached to Robbie Reinelt's boot.

Oh the relief when that final whistle blew. If the Albion had gone down (probably out of existence too) football could never have been the same again. Absolutely no question of transferring my support to Pompey, Palace or Man U. Never, never, ever!

Mr Pearce should think more carefully before writing again. He has much to learn about people, about emotions, about football and, I suspect, about life.

Alan Golds, Beech Hill, Haywards Heath BRUCE SAYS: The club have made remarkable progress since Hereford four years ago, but there is still a lot more to do.

Causing a stir Well I certainly caused a stir with my letter on supporters from afar and I would therefore like this opportunity to respond to my critics.

Firstly I apologise for causing any offence to Albion fans, who presumed I was disputing their right to support the club. I was merely pointing out the contradictions in referring to community and home support in the modern era.

The letters surely bear this out. I enjoyed the analogy about marrying a local girl, nice one. But, the said gentleman does live in Canada. Of course it's great that he should remember his home town club, but come on, how can you possibly be a supporter?

Similarly jetting in from Hawaii and Malaysia now and again may be very enjoyable, but are you concerned about the price of admission?

As for claims that it is 'in the blood', it is this type of talk which I have heard so often in Brighton used by supporters of various clubs.

It is no doubt genuine in a few cases, but for the majority it is an excuse to not get off their backsides and attend more than a game or two a season as it is 'not the same down here' - popular with the Sky TV support that will eventually kill off the game for the smaller clubs.

Obviously people move and it would be wrong for me to suggest who you should support. But no, living 100 miles away does not give you as much right to say where a ground should be located. Even though I am a Falmer supporter.

Darren Pearce, Patcham, Brighton BRUCE SAYS: Darren won't win any popularity award among Albion fans, but I suspect there are one or two people who will agree with his views.

I have the right In reply to Darren Pearce (Sports Argus, April 14, I have lived in Sussex for the past 40 years and supported the Albion since 1972, I feel that I have every right to comment on the club's future and eventual stadium plans.

Although now living on the Isle of Wight my family are still season ticket holders and with away matches, some £3,000 is dutiflully spent each year.

When living in Sussex I would attend fans' meetings and almost all of the away games during the Archer years when most supporters had given up on the local team.

It may have been blind faith or stupidity, but it certainly wasn't to earn the respect of people like Mr Pearce.

One thing is for sure, my loyalty to the club and its town was and still is unquestionable because if it wasn't for people like me, Seagulls Over London, West Country Seagulls and Scotland Seagulls the people of Sussex would not have a local team to support. Except of course for Manchester United fans which is only an arm's length away from the remote control (very local).

No, Mr Pearce, football is not just about your local team, its about tradition, passion, where the heart is and your loyalty. But above all it is about trying to keep the club going for the future so that my son's children will one day be singing Sussex by the Sea after my ashes have been scattered over the South Downs. Barring any protests by the local NIMBYs of course.

Steve Smith, Isle of Wight Seagulls Webb master In response to the letter from John Bowden (Sports Argus, April 7) the names of the players in the 1948-49 team photo are: back row, Dave Clelland, George Lewis, Jack Whent, Ernie Marriott, Stan Willemse, Des Tennant, Johnny McNichol, Ron Rattray, Reg Hipkin, Harry Baldwin, Harry Daniels, Jack Ball, Kevin McCurley and Sammy Booth.

Middle row: Willie Wakefield, George Willis, Billy Reed, Paddy Brennan, Eric Lancelotte, Jess Willard and Tony James.

Front row: Ken Davies and Micky Kavanagh.

The original photo includes two more players on the extreme right Geoff Taylor (back row) and Jock Sim (middle row).

John Vinicombe is so right in suggesting that the contribution Charlie Webb made to the Albion over so many years should be permanently recorded by a plaque or, preferably, by a part of the new ground being named after him.

I only met Charlie Webb once just over 30 years ago but I still remember his greeting: "I expect you thought I would have been pushing up the daisies by now," and his wife saying: "He is no more Irish than you or I."

I haven't lived in Sussex for 39 years but for someone to suggest that means I should not be supporting and going to watch when practical the team whose results have meant more to me than any other since that fateful day my father took me to the Goldstone 46 years ago, beggars belief.

Mind you, I did go to the nearest English League ground to where I live last Saturday, Carlisle.

Nigel Bishop, Pine Court, Wood of Doune, Perthshire BRUCE SAYS: I'm sure Albion fans will enjoy John's recollections of Tommy Cook in Vinatage Vinners this week.

Marathon men I have been involved in sport all my life and on Sunday we had seven runners competing in the London Marathon, aged 28-53.

The pride and sense of achievement I felt for the lads taking part and completing the course was indescribable.

Thank you very much to Peter Macdonnel, Graham Farmer, Andy Marchant, Mike Ashby, Andy Laws and Mark Hedgecock.

It was a humbling experience being there with you. Congratulations and thank you.

It is not too late for sponsorship or donations. Contact 01273 778069.

Alan Pook, Sussex Sport For Peace BRUCE SAYS: Everyone from Sussex who ran last weekend deserves the utmost credit.