Probably the best 'newbie' I've been to. Roomy concourse area and decent food (so I'm told). Liked the padded seats and the simple, but effective colour-coding on the entrances. I agree that tickets were a bit pricey for the Championship. Stewards seemed friendly and professional. I understand the comments about "why not make it bigger?", but I think that the different sized stands helped avoid making it an identikit stadium. Trains no problem on the way out. We got on a train after about 15-20 mins queuing and there was probably only 1 train-load behind us waiting.
Best stadium in the division I have been to. Good train link (despite what the moaners said it worked well), excellent beer, didn't take long to get served, nice pies, friendly fans on the train. Just a shame about our fans and our team!
Thanks for all your comments – very helpful indeed. To answer some of the purely factual points raised:–
Availability of concourse bars, post-match As others have mentioned elsewhere, an outbreak of trouble in the away end at half time led to a decision, on police advice, to close the away end bars post-match. Regrettably, it appears that stewards were then instructed not to admit Charlton fans to any other parts of the ground.
Who’d have thought it? With the Amex now in its third season of operation, this is the first time that such drastic and unprecedented action has ever been taken.
Everyone knows the vast majority of Charlton fans are totally decent, and it’s an enormous pity that your fans were denied the unrestricted access to all of the stadium’s facilities, post-match, that other clubs’ supporters have always been able to enjoy.
The Amex’s small end-stands We would all have liked both ends to have been much bigger, and steeper too. But, being built adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the stadium design had to conform to extremely strict planning regulations concerning stand heights, shape and visibility. That’s why it was sunk four storeys into the ground, and is uniquely asymmetric. We’re still amazed they were able to cram a 30,000-seater into such a small footprint.
Stadium Car Parking Here again, with the ground being located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there was no possibility of planning permission ever being granted for any new car park on virgin downland. As a result, the club has had to make best use of any pre-existing facilities, within a transport strategy that is prioritised on sustainable options. Hence the emphasis on walking, cycling, coaches, public transport and park & rides – with near-stadium car parking a very distinct last.
Thanks for all your comments – very helpful indeed. To answer some of the purely factual points raised:–
Availability of concourse bars, post-match As others have mentioned elsewhere, an outbreak of trouble in the away end at half time led to a decision, on police advice, to close the away end bars post-match. Regrettably, it appears that stewards were then instructed not to admit Charlton fans to any other parts of the ground.
Who’d have thought it? With the Amex now in its third season of operation, this is the first time that such drastic and unprecedented action has ever been taken.
Everyone knows the vast majority of Charlton fans are totally decent, and it’s an enormous pity that your fans were denied the unrestricted access to all of the stadium’s facilities, post-match, that other clubs’ supporters have always been able to enjoy.
The Amex’s small end-stands We would all have liked both ends to have been much bigger, and steeper too. But, being built adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the stadium design had to conform to extremely strict planning regulations concerning stand heights, shape and visibility. That’s why it was sunk four storeys into the ground, and is uniquely asymmetric. We’re still amazed they were able to cram a 30,000-seater into such a small footprint.
Stadium Car Parking Here again, with the ground being located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there was no possibility of planning permission ever being granted for any new car park on virgin downland. As a result, the club has had to make best use of any pre-existing facilities, within a transport strategy that is prioritised on sustainable options. Hence the emphasis on walking, cycling, coaches, public transport and park & rides – with near-stadium car parking a very distinct last.
What happens if Brighton ever become a top club in this country and demand exceeds 30,000? Can it be built or will you have to move?
Stadium nice and airy - with the glass roof it was almost like an uncovered ground. Good view and nice seats. Pies superb.
Transport so-so. Relatively easy from Brighton to Falmer. I make a point of never leaving before the final whistle and tbh I was staggered that the blocks to the right of us were half empty on 90mins - when does everyone leave if Brighton are losing; half-time? Didn't stop for a beer as had to get home so consequently spent about 30mins queuing for a train back to Brighton. No problem on Saturday but I wouldn't fancy it in bad weather and with antagonistic supporters as despite the reported problems at the ground it seemed to be self-policing without a lot of visible uniforms.
Tom and I went in a Charlton coach that had cost £1/2 million. Upon arrival we were greeted by three cheery WPC's, there were plenty of pleasant Stewards around, the welcoming experience was better than you receive at The Valley. The Stadium is terrific offering very good views, the pitch excellent and the food good but very expensive.
The worst thing which tended to spoil our day, apart for the result, was the bad behaviour of a lot of Charlton attendees (not supporters, merely yobs of mixed ages). I am sure that their behaviour lessens the number of genuine supporters who would otherwise attend, such a shame.
Great stadium, very much enjoyed being there. Lots of leg rooms and comfortable seats. A lovely design as well which I think fits as well as any stadium could with the rural setting. Facilities generally top notch - even the bogs were clean.
Good pies but my pint of Harveys was very poor - I doubt the pipes had been cleaned for a long time.
Left 5-6 minutes before the end and didn't have to queue to get on a train back to Brighton. No problems with railway staff in terms of the free travel
Will go again next year if we are in the same division.
Great stadium, very much enjoyed being there. Lots of leg rooms and comfortable seats. A lovely design as well which I think fits as well as any stadium could with the rural setting. Facilities generally top notch - even the bogs were clean.
Good pies but my pint of Harveys was very poor - I doubt the pipes had been cleaned for a long time.
Left 5-6 minutes before the end and didn't have to queue to get on a train back to Brighton. No problems with railway staff in terms of the free travel
Will go again next year if we are in the same division.
You must have been unlucky Jints with the Harveys ours was fine in both the away end and in the West Stand bar after the game, had no hassle getting in there after the game though they wouldn't let us in Dick's Bar.
Who’d have thought it? With the Amex now in its third season of operation, this is the first time that such drastic and unprecedented action has ever been taken.
Everyone knows the vast majority of Charlton fans are totally decent, and it’s an enormous pity that your fans were denied the unrestricted access to all of the stadium’s facilities, post-match, that other clubs’ supporters have always been able to enjoy.
A bit of sunshine and a trip to the coast seems to bring out the idiots...............
Ground, fantastic. Fan, friendly. Transport links, I left after 70 minutes or so and there were Brighton fans leaving already so probably as bad as last season. Police, unfortunately made the above insignificant, sadly there is nothing the club can do about that but their tactics need to change.
I left early and missed their third - but did get a bus back to Brighton with no difficulty. Stadium is very nice but didn't test a full time exit. The worst bit was a couple of our fans who thought it was ok to stand up in front of fellow fans. It didn't affect me - but since when is this level of selfishness acceptable or defendable?
Legroom was excellent and in all honesty the second most comfortable seat I have had at a football match. Stadium MK narrowly beats it IMO. The ticket cost is still a little high IMO though seeing as I was behind the goal.
I didn't go Saturday ,but went last season and would recommend the Am Ex to anyone . It was my partner's birthday last weekend so I decided to earn brownie points at home rather than travel south. By the reports both on and off the pitch I regret to say I feel I made the right choice.
As a rule I miss the old stadiums , but I feel the Am Ex is not just an improvement on the Withdean but also the Goldstone .As I recall that too was outside Brighton albeit in the opposite direction towards Hove .I'm sure had the internet existed 15 years ago then you would have the same logistical complaints about its location.
Last year despite a ten minute wait at Falmer Station I still comfortably made the last train back to London, in fact I even had time for a leisurely pint in a pub by the station. I think I could have got home quicker via Lewes if I had chosen to.
I am disappointed by some of the stories about fights between amongst our fans Saturday. As a club Brighton and ourselves have a lot in common and there has never been a nasty rivalry . In fact quite the opposite.The way they have set the Stadium up is excellent and they should be proud of it and commended. Some years ago I went to a Rugby International at Twickenham and was impressed by the way they managed crowd control by keeping the bars open. I felt then that Football misses a trick here. Why has a stupid element of our fan base spoilt it?
Tom and I went in a Charlton coach that had cost £1/2 million. Upon arrival we were greeted by three cheery WPC's, there were plenty of pleasant Stewards around, the welcoming experience was better than you receive at The Valley. The Stadium is terrific offering very good views, the pitch excellent and the food good but very expensive.
The worst thing which tended to spoil our day, apart for the result, was the bad behaviour of a lot of Charlton attendees (not supporters, merely yobs of mixed ages). I am sure that their behaviour lessens the number of genuine supporters who would otherwise attend, such a shame.
Comments
Availability of concourse bars, post-match
As others have mentioned elsewhere, an outbreak of trouble in the away end at half time led to a decision, on police advice, to close the away end bars post-match. Regrettably, it appears that stewards were then instructed not to admit Charlton fans to any other parts of the ground.
Who’d have thought it? With the Amex now in its third season of operation, this is the first time that such drastic and unprecedented action has ever been taken.
Everyone knows the vast majority of Charlton fans are totally decent, and it’s an enormous pity that your fans were denied the unrestricted access to all of the stadium’s facilities, post-match, that other clubs’ supporters have always been able to enjoy.
The Amex’s small end-stands
We would all have liked both ends to have been much bigger, and steeper too. But, being built adjacent to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the stadium design had to conform to extremely strict planning regulations concerning stand heights, shape and visibility. That’s why it was sunk four storeys into the ground, and is uniquely asymmetric. We’re still amazed they were able to cram a 30,000-seater into such a small footprint.
Stadium Car Parking
Here again, with the ground being located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there was no possibility of planning permission ever being granted for any new car park on virgin downland. As a result, the club has had to make best use of any pre-existing facilities, within a transport strategy that is prioritised on sustainable options. Hence the emphasis on walking, cycling, coaches, public transport and park & rides – with near-stadium car parking a very distinct last.
Stadium nice and airy - with the glass roof it was almost like an uncovered ground. Good view and nice seats. Pies superb.
Transport so-so. Relatively easy from Brighton to Falmer. I make a point of never leaving before the final whistle and tbh I was staggered that the blocks to the right of us were half empty on 90mins - when does everyone leave if Brighton are losing; half-time? Didn't stop for a beer as had to get home so consequently spent about 30mins queuing for a train back to Brighton. No problem on Saturday but I wouldn't fancy it in bad weather and with antagonistic supporters as despite the reported problems at the ground it seemed to be self-policing without a lot of visible uniforms.
The worst thing which tended to spoil our day, apart for the result, was the bad behaviour of a lot of Charlton attendees (not supporters, merely yobs of mixed ages). I am sure that their behaviour lessens the number of genuine supporters who would otherwise attend, such a shame.
Good pies but my pint of Harveys was very poor - I doubt the pipes had been cleaned for a long time.
Left 5-6 minutes before the end and didn't have to queue to get on a train back to Brighton. No problems with railway staff in terms of the free travel
Will go again next year if we are in the same division.
Fan, friendly.
Transport links, I left after 70 minutes or so and there were Brighton fans leaving already so probably as bad as last season.
Police, unfortunately made the above insignificant, sadly there is nothing the club can do about that but their tactics need to change.
Legroom was excellent and in all honesty the second most comfortable seat I have had at a football match. Stadium MK narrowly beats it IMO. The ticket cost is still a little high IMO though seeing as I was behind the goal.
As a rule I miss the old stadiums , but I feel the Am Ex is not just an improvement on the Withdean but also the Goldstone .As I recall that too was outside Brighton albeit in the opposite direction towards Hove .I'm sure had the internet existed 15 years ago then you would have the same logistical complaints about its location.
Last year despite a ten minute wait at Falmer Station I still comfortably made the last train back to London, in fact I even had time for a leisurely pint in a pub by the station. I think I could have got home quicker via Lewes if I had chosen to.
I am disappointed by some of the stories about fights between amongst our fans Saturday. As a club Brighton and ourselves have a lot in common and there has never been a nasty rivalry . In fact quite the opposite.The way they have set the Stadium up is excellent and they should be proud of it and commended. Some years ago I went to a Rugby International at Twickenham and was impressed by the way they managed crowd control by keeping the bars open. I felt then that Football misses a trick here. Why has a stupid element of our fan base spoilt it?