31 July 1998.
Residents opposing Albion's temporary move to Withdean Stadium have
taken legal action demanding a Judicial Review against Brighton & Hove
Council for granting Planning Permission for the alterations to the Athletics
Stadium. This seems to be a "storm in a teacup" but it does mean that the
start at Withdean will be delayed until after October 1998 as originally
planned.
Although the Plan was a bit cheap and shoddy (it would have been better
to build a completely new Athletics Stadium with a Football Pitch on a
different site e.g. Falmer, and sell Withdean for luxury housing), the
delay represents a serious blow. It also presents grave doubts about the
possibility of ever constructing a New Football Stadium in Sussex (if a
few people with vested interests can delay a temporary small scale planning
permission, what hope is there of a major scheme?).
Second Thoughts.
Dave Mates
1998
List of new signings:
Paul Holsgrove, central midfield, from Stoke City (sold).
Mark Walton, goalkeeper, from Fulham. 6 ft 4 ".
Glenn Thomas, central defender, from Gillingham.
Danny Mills, left-sided midfielder, from Barnet.
Simon Wormull, central midfielder, from Brentford.
Gary Hart, striker, from Stansted (non-league).
Andy Ansah, striker, retained as a better striker could not be found.
Stafford Brown, striker from Hastings Town (on
trial).
Michael Bennett, midfielder (on trial).
All signed on free transfers or for a nominal sum.
Nicky Rust
Robbie Reinelt
Go to the Official Site for a full list.
Walton
Smith, Hobson, Johnson, Mills
Storer, Minton, (Holsgrove), Bennett,
Hart, ??????
Subs: Ormerod, , Barker, Mayo, Armstrong, Allan.
Reserves: Ansah , Thomas, Tuck.
Youth: Andrews, Ryan, Smith.
2 July Mark Walton, 29 year old, large goalkeeper signed for £20,000 from ambitious
The first game is expected to be against Mansfield Town. (see DELAY AT MOVING TO WITHDEAN)
Temporary stands will be erected on two sides of the Stadium to give a all-seated crowd capacity of 5,900. The plans for the stands look very temporary. The original plans are to sell season tickets for the whole season only. The cost is £240, payable in three instalments of £80, (not confirmed at the time of writing). This is a very poor deal for the fans.
The nearest railway station is Preston Park. Parking restrictions near the Stadium are expected to be enforced.
The Stadium itself is quite a long way from the houses and is quite well placed to avoid any nuisance to local residents. However, the local people have made complaints about the lack of adequate parking and there will be special transport arrangements for supporters.
Albion
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Why are the residents coughing up considerable amounts of money to oppose
a scheme? If they lose they stand to lose
£ thousands (up to £50,000). Maybe the scheme was seriously
flawed by Brighton & Hove Council as they hurriedly put it through?
There were no details in the Press but ....
The second possibility is a straight delaying tactic by the residents. In these cases, I have known poorly thought out schemes to wither, even with public support.
Everything, Brighton & Hove Albion seem to do nowadays (with the exception of appointing Brian Horton as Manager) strikes me as being rather cheap. Still it is a improvement on the multi-coloured shirts of Barry Lloyd ("football has a way of kicking you in the teeth"), and the even worse, the penny-pinching days of David Belotti.
COME ON YOU SEAGULLS!