Bozza from www.northstandchat.com which is THE Albion site. 25 years now
- glory years of the old division 1 and an FA Cup Final all the way to
nearly falling out of the league and slowly but surely coming back
again.
What was your first game?
Way back in 1979, Arsenal at home when the Albion reached the old old
First Division. We lost 3-0 in front of nearly 30,000 people at our
beloved old ground, The Goldstone.
Describe the most memorable and worst game you've seen and why?
Most memorable - FA Cup Semi-final at Highbury in 1983 against Sheffield
Wednesday. As an 11 year old it was my first big away day at a big
ground. Winning to get through to the FA Cup Final was a nice detail
too!
Worst games - We had many when exiled in Gillingham when 2 or 3 thousand
hardy souls would make the trip for 'home' games. We were lucky to
survive those dark days.
Who do you consider as your current local rivals, and why?
Crystal Palace. Always and Forever.
Who are the best and worst players you have seen?
Best in the Stripes - Peter Ward, Mark Lawrenson and Jimmy Case from the
past. Bobby Zamora more recently.
Worst in the Stripes - too many shockers. It would be unfair to pick any
out!
Which current or former Rotherham player impressed you most?
Richie Barker. Not the most talented but always gave his all. Looked a
no-hoper initially but proved the doubters wrong. Scored a few decent
goals for us when times were bleak.
How did you fare last season?
Promoted via the playoffs. A pleasant contrast to our previous
championship seasons. The Millenium Stadium is no Millmoor obviously,
but a nice day out all the same.
How do you think you'll do this season?
With Rotherham and Gillingham probably worse than us, the struggle is to
find another team to fill the relegation places. Crewe were prime
candidates but have already beaten us 3-1 in the league on two
occasions. It's going to be difficult but with a bit of luck, we might
just stay up. Fourth bottom on goal difference would do for me.
What's the local drink and snap?
What? Is this some Northern phrase? Plenty of decent pubs within short
staggering distance of Brighton station.
If Brighton were a TV personality, who would it be and why?
Julian Clary. Graham Norton. It's good to get the whole gay thing out
the way before you mention it.
So what do you think of Rotherham?
Cracking club in an area where there are many 'big clubs' about. Always
like the trip to Millmoor for the cheap beer and watching a game in a
decent ground, on a decent terrace behind the goal with a decent roof.
Why did you go and put seats in?!?
Is your manager barking mad?
Very possibly, yes. It seems any player can play in any position. Total
football or totally random, you decide. But he is working a small
miracle with the resources at his disposal and if he keeps us up, then
he'll be a legend. Barking mad or otherwise.
How's the campaign for a new ground coming on?
How long do you have?!? We are awaiting the opening of a new Public
Inquiry to examine the other potential sites in Brighton. And then
Mr.Prescott will, we hope, finally give us the 'yes' we are all waiting
for. The fact is, hemmed in by the downs and the sea, there is no
perfect site in Brighton but Falmer is the best of them all.
How do Brighton Fans feel about the current state of their club?
I think most think we are punching above our weight given the
restrictions imposed by our temporary home. On the field is OK - we have
some talented youngsters. The focus is, however, off the field and our
pursuit for a permanent home. Without that, we are never going to move
forward as a club.
Are you happy with your Chairman/Backroom staff?
Dick Knight, our chairman, is a legend. He brought the club back to
Brighton from our enforced exile in Gillingham where a home game meant 4
or 5 motorways and a 160 mile round trip. He has delivered us 3
promotions, including back to back championships. The icing on the cake
will undoubtedly be getting us a stadium we can finally call 'home',
allowing us to compete without the shackles of our temporary residence
at Withdean.
Which team do you want to beat the most this season and why?
Like most and especially you - Leeds, probably. We did and so did you.
Celebrate good times c'mon.
What sort of line-up can we expect from you?
Some promising youngsters trying to prove themselves in the game. You
might not have heard of Steve Claridge, but remember the name...
Predicted score?
1-0 either way. Hopefully the right way.
Who's going up?
Sitting at our end of the table, I don't really care although I'd like
to see Wigan have a crack at the Premiership.
Who's going down?
No prizes for imagination when I say Rotherham (I'm sorry) and
Gillingham. I'm struggling to find the third team but I'm sure a neutral
would be looking at us to fill that position. I'm struggling to find an
alternative currently.
MillersMad would like to thank Bozza and www.northstandchat.com for taking time to face the twenty questions.