[Albion] Evening games - does the aggravation make it worth attending?

[Gazwag]

But surely in many ways a complicated hub like London Bridge would be more tricky?

I don't agree that there is F all that the club can do about it. As mentioned, Millwall have worked out a very efficient service with the rail operator to solve a problem of potential trouble among loitering fans.

I'm not sure how many platforms can be used, but fifteen at London Bridge compared to two or three at Brighton and one 8 car and one 6 car platform at Lewes, only one being reversable. I'm not sure also if its possible to run more than the current service.

All that is needed is the normal service with a guarantee of 8 carriages on each train - problem sorted IMO

 

[LANGDON SEAGULL]

I got a morning train to London this week, first time for some years. It was rammed by the time it had left HH. I'm sure there are more people WFH these days, but I think there are not as many as the right wing press would have us believe.

Are you married to Sheena Easton?

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

Are you married to Sheena Easton?

I went to see her in 1980

 

[jackalbion]

But surely in many ways a complicated hub like London Bridge would be more tricky?

I don't agree that there is F all that the club can do about it. As mentioned, Millwall have worked out a very efficient service with the rail operator to solve a problem of potential trouble among loitering fans.

Millwall has 4 train stations serving it which is a big difference, most local fans use Bermondsey tube, New Cross Gate and Surrey Quays. South Bermondsey only has four 4 car trains an hour scheduled and a 5th and 6th is diverted to serve on matchday.

6 is the maximum number of trains that the signalling system and planning rules allow, the other issue is that London to Eastbourne services need to run beyond Lewes, so they slip into the gaps. IMO Sat and Sun are more than adequate, but midweeks are pretty dire because of carriage length, where one cancellation is pretty disastrous (I believe it was a unit fault), ultimately though cancellations occasionally happen for various reasons, and I think all football trains are protected, so will always be a last resort to cancel them. It really is as simple as there being more stock available but with the 313s and 455s being retired that means that currently Southern are 50+ trains down without any replacement. The rolling stock shortage is nationwide, so hopefully whatever Labour is planning to do will address that, but like everything it’s full with Bureaucracy.

 

[Muhammad - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

You won’t have to put up with the jokes if you move

We’re only moving to Crowborough

 

[Pliny the Gull]

TBH thought lately that Qs moved fairly swiftly of late on the Lewes side.
Left 5 mins after Villa game, and got straight on.
Not always convenient for everyone's circumstances. But not unique to us.
Eg. Had some awful waits at 7 sisters, Fulham Broadway, WHU, Wolves, Arsenal etc

 

[Zeberdi]

I suppose going against the trend here but I find attending midweek games far less stressful as every weekend match I have attended this season has involved numerous train disruptions, cancellations for lack of staff, bus replacements because of engineering, signal failures etc and because of that absolutely rammed on trains and bus replacements. This has more often than not resulted in at least 4hrs extra travelling added on each leg of a an already 8 hr return journey. Coming back yesterday from the Villa match (after an overnight stay) , again cancellations, only one toilet working 10 carriages away and train too packed to get through. I appreciate though, this headache is because I am not local and dependent on travelling long distances by public transport so a different issue than most experience.

That said, after the Forest game last Saturday, the train back to Brighton from Falmer was delayed nearly 15 mins, so even though I left before the penalties and no one was on the platform, by the time the train arrived, I was on the verge of collapse since there was no where to sit at the Brighton end (passenger assist end) of the platform. I was then physically pushed off the train door ramp (that had been put down by station staff) by someone who had grabbed my arm (hard!) claiming to help me on the train but was in fact pushing me aside as they did so. so they could get on before me to get a seat in ahead of the scrum. If it weren’t for the quick thinking of several people behind me, I could have suffered a very serious injury by falling sideways into the gap between the platform and train - I was on crutches ffs and was already being assisted already by a staff member so it was obvious what was happening.

Tbh I have learned to take it all in my stride and it will never be a case of ’not bothering’ to go to midweek or weekend matches but there is so much more the Club could do to manage footfall onto the platform in the first place imo, the police and station staff could better manage fans who are already on the platform and generally make it safer for everyone, including filling up the trains when they do pull in..

 

[ManOfSussex]

I went to see her in 1980

For your eyes only?

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

For your eyes only?

I wish Well, I did at the time when I was but a teenager

 

[ewe2]

Changing the fixture list for TV often catches me out and stops me attending

 

[BN9 BHA]

We’re only moving to Crowborough

It’s further away from the border though and most people know where it is. There used to be some people on here doing the jokes about Burwash being in Kent.

 

[BrightonCottager]

For the Forest game, both P&R sites were full over an hour before kick off which surely demonstrates the need to bring in a replacement for Mithras House which was generally the most efficient of the sites.

If they could come to some arrangement for using the multi-storey car park that is just behind the old Mithras House car park then it could be reinstated.

For the marathon this weekend, the University of Brighton car park is being used for Park and Ride - 5 levels for competitors and one level for staff. I don't know what the charge is for people using this service.

For Albion games, I think the University charge £15 for parking in it, with no bus included.
The University is strapped for cash. If the car park isn't full at £15/car, reducing the charge could make it more money. But aren't the buses that pass the University rammed by the time they get there?

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I suppose going against the trend here but I find attending midweek games far less stressful as every weekend match I have attended this season has involved numerous train disruptions, cancellations for lack of staff, bus replacements because of engineering, signal failures etc and because of that absolutely rammed on trains and bus replacements. This has more often than not resulted in at least 4hrs extra travelling added on each leg of a an already 8 hr return journey. Coming back yesterday from the Villa match (after an overnight stay) , again cancellations, only one toilet working 10 carriages away and train too packed to get through. I appreciate though, this headache is because I am not local and dependent on travelling long distances by public transport so a different issue than most experience.

That said, after the Forest game last Saturday, the train back to Brighton from Falmer was delayed nearly 15 mins, so even though I left before the penalties and no one was on the platform, by the time the train arrived, I was on the verge of collapse since there was no where to sit at the Brighton end (passenger assist end) of the platform. I was then physically pushed off the train door ramp (that had been put down by station staff) by someone who had grabbed my arm (hard!) claiming to help me on the train but was in fact pushing me aside as they did so. so they could get on before me to get a seat in ahead of the scrum. If it weren’t for the quick thinking of several people behind me, I could have suffered a very serious injury by falling sideways into the gap between the platform and train - I was on crutches ffs and was already being assisted already by a staff member so it was obvious what was happening.

Tbh I have learned to take it all in my stride and it will never be a case of ’not bothering’ to go to midweek or weekend matches but there is so much more the Club could do to manage footfall onto the platform in the first place imo, the police and station staff could better manage fans who are already on the platform and generally make it safer for everyone, including filling up the trains when they do pull in..

That is absolutely shocking ... but sadly not surprising. I made a decision not to use trains to/from the Amex a good few years ago because of what I'd seen/experienced by some of our so called fans on the few journeys I have made. The incident that made me say never again was the treatment of a young boy travelling with family (they hadn't been to the game) who was autistic and wearing headphones to block out noise. I got on the carriage the family was in. It was the usual big crush with lots of noise and some young lads banging the ceiling of the carriage. The poor young lad went into a panic and got quite hysterical. A few of our lot basically took the piss and started to jump around and shout in front of him. Some tried to tell them to behave ... only to be met with foul language and very aggressive behaviour. It looked very much like they were on something.

So the train is not for me. I will get to/from the Amex any way but ...

 

[southstandandy]

We need a monorail!

 

[oneillco]

That is absolutely shocking ... but sadly not surprising. I made a decision not to use trains to/from the Amex a good few years ago because of what I'd seen/experienced by some of our so called fans on the few journeys I have made. The incident that made me say never again was the treatment of a young boy travelling with family (they hadn't been to the game) who was autistic and wearing headphones to block out noise. I got on the carriage the family was in. It was the usual big crush with lots of noise and some young lads banging the ceiling of the carriage. The poor young lad went into a panic and got quite hysterical. A few of our lot basically took the piss and started to jump around and shout in front of him. Some tried to tell them to behave ... only to be met with foul language and very aggressive behaviour. It looked very much like they were on something.

So the train is not for me. I will get to/from the Amex any way but ...

While people behaving like aggressive idiots isn't really the point of this thread it is nonetheless relevant as I maintain that the rubbish train service leads to friction and frustration in the queues and on the platforms and has on many occasions that I've witnessed led to trouble breaking out.

 

[Home and Away]

The only good option to get home (fairly) quickly is by car if you leave about 10 minutes before the final whistle or obviously walking/cycling if you live close enough. The public transport is so poor it's not worth it. If you stay until the end and you have a car you might be stuck in the parking for an hour or more.

I agree with most of you - the transport needs to be sorted, i feel it's gotten worse over the years.

 

[Jeremiah]

In response to my plea - post 61 - EDF parking just become available for Leicester game

 

[Ooh it’s a corner]

I do miss quite a few evening games because it means I can’t get a flight back until the following morning - flight cost is the other big variable.

I did find a good solution for this game as I could use Shannon instead of Dublin as long as I didn’t mind an overnight trip to Stansted
So, watched our disappointing defeat from WSU and had a drink afterwards with mates on concourse. Trundled down to station soon after 10.30, queued for maybe 10 mins and another 10 waiting on platform, got onto train fine - obvs jam packed but it’s a short journey. Train to Gatwick where stopped for refreshment - Gatwick is a very good 24hr airport as there are always outlets such as Greggs, M and S food hall open and seats etc.

Next part was train to London Blackfriars which run hourly overnight. Trainline let me buy a ticket to a London Victoria and showed me a connection. However what I discovered once at Blackfriars is that in fact no such connection(via train/tube) is running

Thankfully google told me it was only just over 2 miles to walk it so as it was a lovely evening I really enjoyed the walk via the banks of the Thames, past the Houses of parliament etc to the coach station - coach to Stansted - sorted.

Generally evening games are the ones I’m most likely to miss but it’s not really about the Amex transport In my case - UTA!

 

[Jackthelad]

I always say I won't attend a night game again after the awful transport issues, but I always go back for more. I think if your in your 20, 30's and had a few drinks it's not a big issue but if you haven't, then it feels like purgatory getting back.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Doesn’t really apply to me as I haven’t missed a home league match this season, I did join the ‘Flakey Fanbase Club’ because I missed the Chelsea cup game.
I must admit I don’t enjoy getting the train after an evening match, especially if I have been grafting all day, at my age I’m usually shot to bits and my patience is wearing a bit thin standing in a train queue after 10 at night. Thankfully the train journey doesn’t take long and sometimes I’m lucky enough to get a lift.

Seems a bit harsh from you to mention fans in the RH postcode though.
If some of these fans have had a long working day I can see the novelty wearing a bit thin after many years of getting a train to some of these areas after an evening match (see below).

The BN postcode also covers Littlehampton and Arundel which is a fair distance from the Amex.

View attachment 199517

Eastbourne also has a BN postcode.