From the publisher:
Discover Robert Townsend’s 40-year journey with his beloved Brighton & Hove Albion – as a ball boy, staff member, newspaper columnist and fan. This is the Seagulls’ answer to Fever Pitch!
Funny, poignant and instantly relatable, this book captures the universal joy and anguish of football fandom.
Inside you will find:
- Iconic Albion moments from the 1980s to today – the Goldstone farewell, the Hereford survival match, the early days at Withdean and the Amex, play‑offs, promotions, FA Cup ties and unforgettable goals
- The darker side of the journey – terrifying trips to Millwall, diabolical refereeing, a 5-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, away-game travel mishaps, ticket-office chaos and the bleak mid‑90s
- Fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from the Goldstone, Priestfield and Withdean eras – ball-boy escapades, working through the 1990s ‘war years’, crocodile documentaries and the crucial importance of a hairdryer to matchday operations
- Encounters with footballers and other celebrities, autograph hunting, ball-boy controversies, accidental footballer translation duties and the bizarre reason he missed England’s Euro ’96 semi-final
- Broader football nostalgia – inflatables on the terraces, Ceefax and internationals – plus reflections on current issues such as VAR, time-wasting and toxic behaviour in the stands
Part memoir, part social commentary, Long Way Together is a powerful reminder that supporting a club is never just about football – it’s about who you become along the way.
The author:
Robert Townsend has written for the likes of Virgin Radio and The Argus. In the 1980s, he was a ball boy at Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club’s Goldstone Ground. Later, he undertook various administrative roles at all four of the club’s home stadiums. Robert has also briefly worked at Arsenal FC. He is a keen birdwatcher, and will run marathons for as long as his knees will allow. This is his first book.
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Pitch Publishing
22 x 15 cm
Hardback
288 pages
9781836804437
