Brighton a place of pilgrimage for fans

COACHLOADS of Japanese tourists who visit the scene of a giant-killing are now treated to a blue plaque on the spot where a miracle unfolded.

Karne Hesketh’s last-gasp try against South Africa at Brighton’s Amex Stadium is celebrated with a memorial tribute – roughly level with the six-yard box – so visitors from the Far East can pay homage.

Japan’s sensational 34-32 win over the Springboks at the 2015 Rugby World Cup was the stuff of hero-worship. When the odds had been confounded, the giant-killers came out to play with the fans. For one night Brighton city centre was turning Japanese – and Seagulls executive director Martin Perry loved it.

Perry, right, headed the bidding team that lobbied for the Amex to stage group matches at the 2015 Rugby World

Cup, and he has never regrettted it. “It was a big thrill to be a host venue at such a prestigious tournament – little did we know we were walking into a seismic upset,” he said. “It turned out to be the greatest game of rugby I’ve ever seen.

“My nephew, who was born in the UK but lives in South Africa, had come over for it and was sitting with us, along with a couple of my kids and cousins.

“As this incredible drama unfolded, the banter was brilliant. Although football is clearly our priority, the ground was always intended to be capable of staging other events, notably rugby matches, so the pitch was designed with bigenough run-offs behind the goal.

“I stayed over that night, as we were staging the USA-Samoa group match the following day, and wandering through the streets in town there was an electrifying atmosphere.

“There were celebrating Japanese fans everywhere, the players came out to join them and you sensed we had not just been playing host to a rugby match.

“We still get groups of Japanese tourists visiting the Amex. It’s almost as if the experience is spiritual for them.”