Brighton to introduce away fan behaviour contracts for 2025-26
Brighton are to introduce away fan good behaviour contracts for the 2025-26 season which supporters will have to sign before being able to purchase tickets.
The move is part of a crackdown on poor behaviour, increasing instances of drunkenness and people generally having a good time watching the Albion away.
It follows an email being sent out in December prior to the trip to West Ham United. The club said they would not hesitate to impose sanctions including stadium bans and loyalty points deductions on supporters who surged forward when Brighton scored a goal.
Other unacceptable behaviour the email cited were throwing beer and standing in aisles and gangways. It was sent in response to complaints from some fans to the club following the preceding away matches at Fulham and Leicester City.
The club are now set to take things a step further by making any fan wanting to buy an away ticket in the 2025-26 season sign a good behaviour contract.
Doing so will commit supporters to not besmirching the good name of Brighton & Hove Albion. Specific actions mentioned include not swearing in public places and having to wear at least one piece of merchandise to promote the club brought from the official shop.
A dedicated WhatsApp number will be set up for fans to report others who use bad language on a train or in a pub. Or those who have not spent anything on a replica shirt or scarf.
The most controversial element of the good behaviour contract for many fans will be that Seagulls supporters must not drink more than two-and-a-half pints of beer or one medium glass of wine before an away game.
Albion stewards will travel to matches and carry out random spot checks at turnstiles to ensure compliance, similar to the ID checks introduced in October 2023.
This will involve asking Brighton fans who are suspected of breaking the limit to prove their soberness by standing on one leg whilst patting their head with one hand, rubbing their stomach with the other and reciting the alphabet backwards.
American Express cardholders will be allowed to skip the patting hat and rubbing stomach part of the test on production of a valid Amex card matching with a name matching their photo ID.
Rather than outright banning supporters who breach the good behaviour contract, Brighton have come up with a novel means of punishment.
The club have struck an agreement with Crawley Town whereby fans will be sent to watch five Red Devils League One matches at the Broadfield Stadium before being allowed to buy Albion away tickets again.
It is believed subjecting supporters to the horrors of Crawley and their rough-and-ready approach to matches will offer a better appreciation of what a magnificent honour it is to watch Brighton in the Premier League.
Fans will therefore be rehabilitated. Improved behaviour will be a natural result of wanting to see the Albion away at Nottingham Forest for example, instead of Crawley against Stevenage.
