My Football: Fatboy Slim
Guilty. I grew up closer to south London geographically, so Palace was my team. I ended up going to Selhurst Park many times during my youth, but never fell in love with them. Then I moved down to Brighton for college, and my mates took me to watch Albion. It was love at first sight. I suddenly realised what I’d been missing – a proper football team playing attractive football! From then on, I went to every home game for the next three years. I know we’re not the best team in the world, or the richest, hardest or best dressed – but we are Brighton and that’s all that matters.
Johnny Crumplin, football genius. That’s actually his full name... Johnny started off as a right- winger in the late- 80s, and the ‘ football genius’ chant was an ironic dig at him due to his, er, ability. But when he got moved to right- back, the song became his anthem – he was a revelation. He was fearless and gave absolutely everything, week after week, which made him a cult hero among the fans. For a fairly little bloke, he was also a brilliant header of the ball. In fact, he never actually kicked it if he could help it. He could head a ball further than most of us can kick it.
I’ve always rated Leighton Baines – he’s an honest, hard- working type, so I’d take Leighton in his prime. He’d also love living on the south coast.
I was touring and happened to be in Munich for the 1990