If you went to the game yesterday, it would be good to hear your honest opinion of the Amex.
There were more than a few pretty critical pre-match comments on here regarding the travel logistics. Be interesting to know how things turned out in reality?
The otherwise-excellent Football Ground Guide contains somewhat outdated information, with reviews written long before the stadium was extended and transport arrangements significantly improved. If anyone feels like writing an informative and honest review on the Football Ground Guide, that would be very welcome. And helpful to other visiting fans in the future. As a yardstick, it’s always worth bearing in mind comparisons with other away grounds you have visited – and, of course, the Valley. The Addicks fans I met in the away end seemed happy enough with the travelling & transport arrangements and catering. But other issues – like accessibility, seating, view and stewarding are always going to be of interest.
BHA are fully committed to making the Amex away trip as good as possible for visiting supporters, and your feedback – whether good or bad - will be passed on to the club.
Cheers to all those who made the trip.
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Comments
Thought the fans and stadium were awesome.
I left Brighton fairly early for the game (1:50ish) but didn't have to wait long for the train, which wasn't over packed and got to the ground pretty quickly.
The ground was nice, and I like the banners of popular players, especially the one of Garry Nelson!
Concourses were pretty quick, and great to have real ale on, the Harvey's went done very well
Padded seats good
No half time scores on the big screen was surprising, as mobile signal coverage was very poor
Not a lot of singing from the Brighton fans, but when they did sing the acoustics of the ground were superb, and the noise really echoed around.
I stayed for another pint in the West Stand concourse, then got my train back into Brighton, 10 minute wait for the train.
Like all grounds from Stadiums R Us, it's in the middle of nowhere, but it is a pretty nice ground. Reminded me of MK Dons in that it's a bit soulless. It's weird that that the stand behind the dugout has three tiers and the one opposite doesn't. Seems a waste only having one tier behind the goals too. I do wonder how they would cope if they ever needed to expand. Would they simply move ground again?
The "local" beer was a nice touch but I should point out that London Pride is brewed by Fuller's, in Chiswick, in West London. Not South. Get some Greenwich Meantime London Porter in for our next visit please!
That's not good. The stadium itself is excellent with decent facilities but the complexities of the travel experience means I won't be returning to the Amex unless it's for a vital fixture. (Or the Brighton voters chuck out the anti-car nutters on the Council!)
Avoided the last two evening matches due to the nightmare transport stories. Always travel to away games by train, went for an early train at Brighton Station - 12-52. Had a stroll around the outside of the stadium - nothing there and nothing to see, apart from the team coach arriving, so went into Stadium at 1-45. A lot of people obviously did the same, it got crowded quickly, so went into the seats early. You need to liven up the pre-match build up on the screen - how about some classic matches?
The Hillsborough tribute was classy. The playing of "You'll Never Walk Alone" and the minute silence was all that was required. Spontaneous applause followed Gerry and the Pacemakers and the silence was well observed apart from a few thickos who didn't understand the difference between silence and applause.
As we specialise in 0-3 away defeats, it was an easy decision to leave early for the train (88th minute). The queue was well organised, waited 10 mins, was back at Brighton for the 1737 to London Bridge and got home earlier than expected.
Doubt if I'd go to an evening fixture due to its remote location and the risk of not getting back to Brighton Station at a sensible time, but will go back for an afternoon kick off. Grateful that we don't have to suffer the Withdean again.
Lovely stadium. Bit of a pi55take to get in and out of though.
To counteract any disappointment, a full range of herbal infusions is always available from the stadium’s plentiful and totally Feng Shui-compliant refreshment tepees. While-you-wait Tarot readings are available, at extra cost.
Good acoustics in the ground as well.
But £32 to sit next to the corner flag with a very poor view is way overpriced. Sitting next to a family of neanderthals wasn't great either but that isn't Brighton's problem.
Apart from that, stewards were friendly, train system didn't seem too bad and we were back in London by 7.