McGhee: Future’s Brighton
Mark McGhee used to march along the seafront at Brighton campaigning for a new stadium.
Now he sits in it watching one of the most exciting teams in the country.
McGhee and son Archie are season-ticket holders at the Amex where Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls are soaring towards Europe.
They also have an FA Cup semi-final looming against Manchester United.
McGhee retired after being unable to stop Dundee’s relegation last season. One of the joys of ret i rement for the e x- Mot he rwe l l and Aberdeen gaffer is the entertainment at Albion.
It’s a far cry from his spell 20 years ago when he took over Brighton in League One. Part of the job was leading their bid for planning permission to build a new ground.
McGhee said: “The club relocated to Gillingham for two seasons then played at the Withdean – a local
authority athletics track with one covered area.
“By the time I left, they’d established quite a nice Portakabin estate there!
“Bars, lounges, offices, it was quite spacious. Dick Knight, the chairman, was trying to get permission for a new stadium and it cost millions in public inquiries.
“Part of the fun was marching up and down the seafront with placards.
“The kudos it brings the town, the fact the team are in the Premier League, was part of the plan all along.
“You can’t buy that publicity. Stars from Japan and Argentina playing for Brighton. ”
His old club is built to last regardless of player and boss turnover. That has been proved since De Zerbi replaced Graham Potter in September.
McGhee said: “What they have done is arrive through a sustainable process and plan. In place at Brighton is a terrific infrastructure at every level.
“Selecting a manager goes far deeper than spotting someone who’s won a league. They’ve made great selections and player recruitment is stunning.”