FOREST AWAY: Brighton & Hove Albion, FA Cup QF, Saturday 29th March – Fan Guide

I heard about something recently where fans were asked whether they would prefer an FA Cup win or a Champions League spot.

I would choose a cup win at Wembley every time. Something that stays on the club’s record forever and adds something physical and tangible to our trophy cabinet but also still opens the door to European competition. I think we, as supporters, get a bit lost in the financial rewards something brings. The Champions League riches would certainly be an amazing boost for the club, and I understand the idea of how it could help establish ourselves in the upper reaches of the Premier League, but we know that’s not guaranteed. We could just as easily spend the money a new £60m striker who doesn’t work out. I don’t deny that the memories of Champions League fixtures would be special, but I’d be probably close to the same level of combustion for the Europa League in all honesty!

Anyway, the point of establishing yourself as a club is to win something. My thought is take the chance when you get it, and don’t worry too much about what kind of silverware it is. I think there is an old quote attached to Brian Clough about how winning something, anything brings more appetite to succeed, which is why he placed importance on winning the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1976. Times change, but I can’t help but feel there would still be something in this idea.

As I publish this, I’ve also just spotted an article on The Athletic by Paul Taylor where 55.5% of the 826 fans who participated in a survey felt a FA Cup win was preferable. 38% stated Champions League, and 6.5% were unsure.

The good news is the question here is purely theoretical and there doesn’t need to be a decision. Both are within our grasp this season and it’s rather wonderful to think of that as we waft into the warmer Spring months challenging at the top of the Premier League and in the later stages of the FA Cup. There is a feeling of excitement and anticipation building again for another exciting run-in, and with the international disruption done and dusted eyes start to fix on the prize.

Or should we say prizes?

 

BRIGHTON GENERAL INFO

Last visit: 2-2 back in September, with goals from Chris Wood (pen) and Ramon Sosa

Famous Visit: Not many to choose from here so I’ll pump for Dougie Freedman’s first game in charge from February 2015 and a 3-2 victory.

Away End: The bulk of the away contingent will once again be behind the goal but the increased allocation for the FA Cup means some will stretch around the corner too.

The checks at the turnstiles were pretty extensive for the league match earlier in the season, so do try and avoid a little earlier.

 

TRAVEL

A match ticket offers free public transport in the surrounding area so keep this in mind, especially if using the train network.

 TRAINS: Right next to the Amex is a small station called Falmer. It connects into London and Brighton and, although extremely busy, is a useful hub to get in and away from the stadium.

As we noted in the previous issue, there are engineering works that are going to impact the London – Falmer / Brighton leg of the journey. For a sizeable stretch there are rail replacement buses in operation with trains starting at Lewes into Falmer / Brighton.

It also doesn’t seem like there are good options home either, especially when factoring in the potential for extra-time. Making a return by train to Nottingham might be feasible but it will be a long way home, and in the hope you can get a late train out of London.

ROAD: There doesn’t seem to be a reliable way of getting in or out of the area around the stadium easily. Car parks around the ground offer a relatively straightforward option but it will be a long time before you are back on the road afterwards.

As the Amex is situated just off a busy dual carriageway and isn’t particularly close to any built-up areas it’s also hard to rely on finding any street parking a little further out.

For the last couple visits we have taken advantage of the aforementioned travel pass and parked at Lewes. This is only one stop up from Falmer and takes seven minutes. A normal return costs £5.19 but your match ticket will allow you to travel for free. After the game, the trains are busy but possibly a little less chaotic than the other side which is headed south into Brighton.

The engineering works will likely cause a headache this time around, however, as the first trains only begin at Lewes meaning many will likely head there from further up the line to park and avoid the bus replacements. It could get busy and parking may be difficult, although there are a real lack of alternatives.

We were issued a Visitors Guide in advance of this game by the Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters Club and the following might be of use for some:

There are currently two free Park & Ride schemes. One operates from Brighton racecourse BN2 9XZ and the other from Mill Road BN1 8ZF at the bottom of the A23, which makes this the most convenient for visiting fans. But it fills up quickly, so get there early. It opens two and a half hours before kick-off.

You can buy a parking space near the ground from the club website but it’s expensive and you have to book well in advance. Nothing on the day. Even at £15 per car this sells out, so secure your spot early by booking online at BrightonAndHoveAlbion.com/tickets. You will receive a parking voucher to display in the window of your vehicle.

One final item of note if using Lewes to park, is that the most direct route back north is to head back past the Amex. This can sometimes end up getting you caught up in the traffic you are trying to avoid in the first place. So my suggestion is have a bit of a look beforehand at the best escape route; we did this for the game in September and managed to get away much quicker.

 

PUBS

The obvious place to head is into Brighton which is well connected to the stadium by Falmer train station. There are no options around the ground but from experience, there’s plenty to choose from in close proximity to Brighton Station. There is a place we did some years ago on the right as you come out the station which had a splendid rooftop terrace, although I can’t remember the name of guarantee it’s still there. Just remember that the later trains tend to get busy as kick-off approaches.

The aforementioned stop at Lewes which is also a popular choice and offers some decent food & drink options. The Lansdown Arms across the road from the station was busy with Forest fans last time and a little further up the road we found the Royal Oak which was a decent spot. From memory, the latter did food while the former did not so that might sway your thinking.

 

See you down there.

Tell me mam, me mam, we don’t want no tea, no tea…

You Reds

Matt