Getting up is the goal, but staying up is a lot less fun
Brighton’s 28 wins is more than Sunderland fans have seen in three years!
The tangle of emotions laid bare inside the Amex told its own story as Brighton emerged triumphant from a generation of existential turmoil.
Chairman Tony Bloom shared his thoughts on an incredible journey and staggered off in search of champagne. Chris hughton had been drenched but still managed to look immaculate.
Players padded around in various states of undress, exhausted and emotional, nursing bottles of lager and trying to work out what it all meant. For many, this was unknown territory. ‘ Who knows, we might win the Champions League in the next 10 years,’ said keeper David Stockdale. ‘That was a joke by the way,’ he added, and then: ‘ But why not? Who said Leicester would win the league? Dream big.’
Asked about marking Sergio Aguero, centre half Lewis Dunk grinned and said: ‘Our pockets are waiting.’ Bravado aside, no-one was keen to look too far ahead. ‘Consolidate,’ said Stockdale. ‘It’s too soon,’ said Dunk. ‘We’ve just got to enjoy where we are. enjoy the rest of the season, enjoy the summer, come back pre-season and get our heads down. We know it’s going to be tough.’
Strategy will come down to Bloom, hughton and chief executive Paul Barber and judging by their efforts thus far, they will pitch it just right.
Striding out into the Premier League can be a daunting prospect. The influx of cash is transformational for a club like Brighton.
Many, such as Leicester, champions two years after promotion, have reached new heights.
Swansea are struggling to survive but they have won the League Cup and ventured into europe in six seasons in the big time. Southampton have been to Wembley and into europe. Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final.
All were promoted since 2011 and made good use of the bounty, with memories fans will never forget.
elsewhere, things have been more forgettable. Some best forgotten.
Middlesbrough went up last season winning 26 games and scoring 63 goals, contesting the title with Burnley and Brighton in a thrilling race. This season, back in the Premier League for the first time since 2009, Boro fans have endured four wins and 23 goals.
Which is more fun? This is, after all, supposed to be fun.
When the fun stops stop, they warn us at half-time as Ray Winstone tries to lure us into the world of in-play gambling.
Burnley are managing the transformation with care and for academics such as Rob Wilson at Sheffield hallam University have become the model for a small-town club making the system work. It used to be Stoke but they have moved on with West Bromwich, towards the realms of the mythical ‘next level’, which can be dangerous territory — just ask Charlton.
Brighton supporters have seen 28 wins in the Championship, more than Sunderland fans have seen in more than three years. The Premier League will provide wealth, profile, opportunity and, once every blue moon, most strikingly, a story like Leicester’s. With it comes higher ticket prices which are more difficult to acquire and often a cautious brand of football designed to hang in there in the hope that another round of TV money will make the difference. Supporters are squeezed for cash and forged into a different mindset, hoping for a clean sheets, maybe sneaking a point. has the fun stopped?
Fortune attracts foreign ownership and foreign players, the connections within communities are stretched as the global audience takes on a greater value and players become more remote. Without a strict philosophical identity such as eddie howe, who has genuinely made an effort to sign young British talent and play open and attractive football at Bournemouth, much of the charm is easily lost. Lines are blurry, as ever. In a professional sense, what next for Glenn Murray? he fuelled Brighton’s promotion with 22 goals but has not had an impact in the top flight with Crystal Palace or Bournemouth.
What about hughton? he took Newcastle up in 2010 and was sacked before the end of the year. Karanka was ousted at Middlesbrough. Victims of success and changing horizons.
Nine years ago, when hull City were first promoted to the top flight, it lifted the esteem of an entire city, as it will Brighton.
This season, the third edition of Premier League hull, has been a turgid ordeal with confusion in the boardroom and a blur of ins-andouts in the dressing room.
Bloom, who made millions in gambling, will at least provide Brighton with a stable base.
‘We have to strengthen, that goes without saying,’ said Bloom. ‘But we’re not looking to spend huge amounts. We’ll do things on a gradual basis as we have done. We have good players already.’
he intends his son to inherit the club and so is not about to cash in. he will proceed with care. Those long-suffering Brighton fans will be relieved to hear the plan. So long as the fun doesn’t stop.