Sport: up the Albion!

Mark Brailsford sings at home and away

Gus Poyet with Sven Sven-Göran Eriksson, BHAFC VS Leicester City (Image copyright: Paul Hazlewood)

There are quite a few mouth-watering away games to contemplate and the next one is no exception. Ipswich may not be a top Premier League outfit but they have a pedigree, a reasonably experienced squad and a large atmospheric stadium in which to ply their trade. Anyone who follows The Albion’s away games will tell you the atmosphere is a special one, as it is at The Amex, but with one big difference: almost all the supporters sing throughout the game. This collective, hard-core support being herded together leads to an impressive chorus of all The Albion’s songs, the repertoire of which surely rivals any team in the country.

Away support
So what’s involved in going to an away match? Let us deal firstly with the cost. There are bargain train travel tickets to be had if booked far enough in advance, and many fans opt for travelling on the road; the motorway services are often populated by Albion fans resplendent in stripes. However, let’s assume you have either a Group Save train ticket or a car share that reduces your cost. Then there is the ticket for the match itself. Most away grounds in the Championship have large away support capacity, so those who want a ticket for most away games tend to get them. The cost, while not cheap, is still good value if you compare it to other leisure activities.

Now for the best bit. If you are going to the game with friends, then the experience is richer and usually more fun. You may be shocked to find that much beer is imbibed prior to the match taking place (shock, horror!) and a good laugh is generally had by all.

BHAFC VS Ipswich Town
With a tough run of games behind them The Albion will be looking to restore their enviable away form. After the away defeat at Leicester City, Gus Poyet was encouragingly phlegmatic, which was impressive. This can only infuse the players with confidence in the manager’s methods and offer the assurance that they will bounce back and get something from the next away match. The Albion support away from home will doubtlessly be an asset at games like these and is reportedly much appreciated by Gus and his team.

So, I shall be travelling with a merry band of hardcore Albion fans with whom I shall imbibe the odd beer or two and heartily sing along to the full range of Albion songs (bar the one that really gets on my proverbials, you know the one, the one that Palace sing that originated at St Pauli…). Apart from that song I shall sing heartily and get the train back via the pub for lemonade or three to either celebrate or commiserate over The Albion’s performance, in the company of great friends sharing a love of following this team. What a shame there are no more Seagull Special trains anymore. Cheers.