{"product_id":"long-way-together-forty-years-four-home-grounds-and-four-divisions-with-brighton-hove-albion","title":"Long Way Together: Forty Years, Four Home Grounds and Four Divisions with Brighton \u0026 Hove Albion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the publisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" data-expanded=\"true\"\u003eDiscover Robert Townsend’s 40-year journey with his beloved Brighton \u0026amp; Hove Albion – as a ball boy, staff member, newspaper columnist and fan. This is the Seagulls’ answer to Fever Pitch!\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" data-expanded=\"true\"\u003eFunny, poignant and instantly relatable, this book captures the universal joy and anguish of football fandom.\u003cbr\u003eInside you will find:\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" data-expanded=\"true\"\u003e- 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\u003cbr\u003e- 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\u003cbr\u003e- 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\u003cbr\u003e- 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\u003cbr\u003e- 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\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding-bottom: 20px;\" class=\"a-expander-content a-expander-partial-collapse-content a-expander-content-expanded\" data-expanded=\"true\"\u003ePart 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.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe author:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRobert Townsend has written for the likes of Virgin Radio and The Argus. In the 1980s, he was a ball boy at Brighton \u0026amp; 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e---\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product_spec\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003ePitch Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e22 x 15 cm\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eHardback\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e288 pages\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product_spec\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eSeptember 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eEnglish\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product_spec\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-list-item\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e9781836804437\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Robert Townsend","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58938151928189,"sku":null,"price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0271\/5149\/9341\/files\/2026-10-1916.53.26_9cbe3836-75a0-44f2-8965-9737616ca244.jpg?v=1792426853","url":"https:\/\/stanchionbooks.com\/products\/long-way-together-forty-years-four-home-grounds-and-four-divisions-with-brighton-hove-albion","provider":"Stanchion Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}