Had a few candidates for today’s pic: it was a good day all round, weather, events, result, location. But this photo most encapsulates the day. Vicente Rodriguez has just scored Brighton & Hove Albion’s first goal in a 2-0 defeat of Portsmouth, we go up to 5th in the table, I maintain my 100% record at the new Amex stadium and what with lots of other nice things happening at the moment, all seems pretty good in my world.
Twenty years I have lived in Yorkshire. And much as I like the place, and like Leeds as a city, I have SO developed a complex about the fact that my team (Brighton) have not won here since I arrived. Twenty years I have had to put up with last-minute equalisers and condescension from the local Leeds fans. Twenty years I have had to live in the midst of an arrogant fanbase who despite several recent seasons in the third tier still seem to be living on the fact that in the 1970s they may have won a title or two.
Well – NOT TODAY. Today we WON, 2-1 with a last-minute goal – which as this photo is taken, has just gone in. And yes, you could say I’m rather happy this evening.
The story behind this place is such a long and difficult one to tell – North & Hodson’s book Build a Bonfire will give you the first part, doubtless someone will write the second instalment one day. Suffice it to say that as a Brighton fan making my inaugural visit here this afternoon, when I first entered it, I cried. Just a little bit.
Today’s result: Brighton & Hove Albion 2, Barnsley 0. We won’t mention the failure of Southern rail to get me and a few thousand other fans back to Brighton because of a ‘staff shortage’. I mean, it’s not like they knew we were coming.
God, it’s been a busy week. Even something like the Hippodrome seems a month ago. Came back from work late and knackered but instead of doing the sensible thing and going straight home I went and watched my lot on TV for the second time in 48 hours – my lot being Brighton, and as I live in West Yorkshire, I did so in a pub full of Leeds fans. At least they know me. 2-0 down after 25 minutes, we went 3-2 up with five minutes to go: buggers still equalised though didn’t they. Final score 3-3. I need to sleep.
Being 42 