Nostalgic return to the Brighton North Stand after 58 years

In front of a crowd of 11,527, Brighton played their last pre-season friendly of 2024 against La Liga side Villarreal.

This was not the Yellow Submarine’s first visit to the Amex. They also provided the opposition in a 2013 friendly, winning 3-1.

There was to be no repeat of that this time around. Despite Villarreal hitting the post just 23 seconds after referee Steve Martin blew his whistle to start the game, Brighton were comfortable 4-0 winners.

With my season ticket area of the East Upper closed, it meant I was watching the Albion from the Brighton North Stand for the first time since 1966.

I felt so excited and it was amazing to take my seat in Block G, Row C. I thought back 58 years to being in the North Stand at the Goldstone Ground, standing right up against the concrete wall with the goal just 15 yards away – just me and my rattle to cheer on the Albion.

You certainly cannot send an 11-year-old out alone in today’s world, nor do schoolboys make their own way to watch Brighton these days. They were different times back then.

The view from the front of the Amex North Stand was fantastic. You certainly get a different perspective, being so close to the players.

But as I approach my 70th year, I still feel on reflection the East Upper is the best place for me. You can see all aspects of the whole game, even if the walk up the stairs is more challenging.

Speaking of challenging walks, trudging up the tarmac alongside the railway line from the Bridge Car Park to the Amex felt harder than ever.

This was not down to age but my morning escapades in the garden, cutting the grass font and back and climbing all over the shed to finish off its reroofing.

By the time I got to the Amex Superstore, I was huffing and puffing. What I needed was a bottle of Lucozade Sports, the same sort of drink the players have. Instant energy.

Maybe the club should start selling it in the shop, alongside all that new Albion kit? Which was flying off the shelves, by the way.

There have been some changes made at the Amex over the summer. A new sound system has been installed at great expense, we are told.

It is so much crisper and nowhere near as tinny as before, almost concert-like in quality. I counted at least 50 overhanging speak pods around the stadium, which will surely enhance the matchday experience for supporters.

But good luck to Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall coping with the improvements when broadcasting on BBC Radio Sussex.

They cannot be heard over the sound systems at some of the louder grounds in the Premier League, much to their annoyance. Will they now face the same problem at every home game when trying to provide their coverage?

The pitch looked in amazing condition after its summer rest, like a billiard table. The Albion ground staff should be praised at every opportunity.

Once Sussex by the Sea had played and Villarreal hit the post through Arnaut Danjuma, Brighton settled. It became apparent quite quickly what an attacking threat the Albion posed to the visitors.

Kaoru Mitoma slipped a ball into Joao Pedro, making his first appearance of pre-season. Pedro showed that he is fit and raring to go by creating space and looping a shot into the top left corner to put Brighton 1-0 ahead.

Goal two came from excellent build up play on the right side. Yankuba Minteh won the ball back and played a neat pass through to Danny Welbeck, who fired into the back of the net.

Some of the football through the first half was exceptional. Joel Veltman was playing well and Mats Wieffer and James Milner formed a formidable midfield partnership.

Milner is such a great asset to the Albion, like Adam Lallana last season. Valentin Barco also looked dangerous. He will give plenty of Premier League defenders a tough time this season.

Jeremy Sarmiento and Mitoma went close to adding to the score before Yankubu Minteh made it 3-0. Another driving run from Mitoma ended with a shot saved by Diego Conde, only for Minteh to make no mistake with the rebound.

The fourth and final goal came when Jack Hinshelwood charged down the right and delivered a perfect cross for Danny Welbeck.

When Welbeck was then brought down, referee Steve Martin showed no hesitation and pointed straight to the spot. Welbeck took the perfect penalty, making it 14 goals scored and four wins from four in pre-season.

All the signs look really positive ahead of the opening game of the campaign away at Everton.

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony