The date of next year’s Pride could be changed to prevent a clash if Brighton and Hove Albion are given the go-ahead to hold the first game of the season at their new ground.
Albion Chief Executive Martin Perry has written to the Football League to officially request that the club’s opening game of the 2011/12 campaign is at the American Express Community Stadium at Falmer.
The first match is set for August 6 – the same day Pride is due to be held and Sussex Police said holding both events on the same day would “impact” on public services and the city’s road network.
The city’s Safety Advisory Group, which includes Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council, will consult with Pride organisers and the football club to prevent a clash.
Judith Manson, Pride’s fundraising and communications manager, said they had to be “flexible”.
She said moving the event to the Sunday of the same weekend was not an option, adding Pride could be moved to a Saturday near to the preferred date.
She said: “We will announce when it will be. We have to do this in consultation with the council.
“We will take into consideration any major Pride events across the country. There is a lot to take into consideration.”
Mr Perry said it was clear that “everybody would like it” if Albion’s first game of the season was at The Amex.
He said: “After such a long battle and a long fight to open the new stadium a home game would be the perfect occasion. “The Football League is very conscious of the fact that we are opening and we have requested that the first game is at home and they have promised to take that into account but there is no commitment.
“We have spoken to the league and we will not know until the fixtures come out next June.”
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