I went to see the Albion Reserves/U21’S/Development Squad, last Monday.
Alright, I went to see the Albion players who seldom make the first team, play their Swansea counterparts at the Amex.
I haven’t been to an Albion reserve type match since then ‘reserves’ played Plymouth at Worthing in 2003.
Actually, it’s a long way to come, all the way from Devon (almost Cornwall) for a reserve match, especially at Worthing and the only reason I went was because Paul Kitson was due to make yet another return from injury for the Seagulls.
I was beginning to think we’d already off loaded him, and sent a lookalike to training.
My suspicions weren’t eliminated, as when I got there old sick note Kitson (8 appearances in one season two goals) had already limped off.
I was only ten minutes late.
I used go to the Goldstone as a lad to watch the 1980’s Albion stiffs.
7:15 kick off on a Tuesday sometimes on a Monday, 10p for an A4 team sheet, it was a quid on Monday. One of the linesman was always from Tangmere and if you were lucky a bit of good natured abuse from Perry Digweed.
You could sit or stand where you liked. Me and my mates used to prefer the South Stand.
We didn’t watch the game much we just used to muck around and who ever hadn’t touched the match ball by half time got beaten up. It was great fun.
Amazingly some top players of the time turned out. Ian Wright played quite a few games whilst on trial, Chris Cattlin didn’t think he’s make it as a professional though. He runs a rock shop now. Cattlin not Wright.
Sergei Gotsmanov played in front of less than a hundred in February 1990.
John Fashanu, Paul Stewart, Paul Gascoigne and in the mid 90’s Denis Berkamp turned out on a cold might in Hove. Virtually unnoticed by anyone not in Ols Shoreham Road.
The Albion board used to pack out some reserve games by selling tickets to upcoming glamour cup matches, although most used to go through the turnstile pay their £2 admission fee and buy a cup ticket (Derby in the 70’s Arsenal in the 80’s both now in decline) then go straight home, They used to have to open the exit gates before kickoff. Wish they 'had done that when Dean Wilkins was Albion manager.
Last Monday, you could only sit in the West Stand Lower, though I spied Gus and Tano in the TV Suite. It was very cold. Swansea were much better (they won 4-1) and to be honest I left at half time.
But the new Professional Development League Two South, (Reserves League!!) stipulates at least three games must be played at the clubs home stadium.
So if it’s not too cold on January 28th I’ll pop along again. Well it’sfree to season ticket holders.
Merry Christmas.
