My first ever football match! (what an eventfull night!!!)

Yes, I've lived in the UK for 28 years and this was my first time.

I finally got to watch my local Premier League team, Brighton Albion, play a football match at the Amex Studios!

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It all started when cafe regular Ms I said, "I have one ticket left over and I'm looking for someone to go with me. Are you interested?"  She also said it was because the match last September was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth.

In fact, I've always wanted to see him play in person one day, as I was fortunate enough to have a connection with the support team of Mr. Mitoma and even received a signed uniform from him! However, Brighton Albion is strong this year and their popularity was exploding, and there were various restrictions on buying tickets. Moreover, the games were only at weekends and they were all sold out.

When I had half given up, I thought it was fate. It's true. The kick-off was at 7.30pm on a weekday night when I can just close the café and go to the stadium. I did not think another opportunity like this!

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As the day got closer, I found out that the match was a derby against A23's arch-rivals Crystal Palace, and everyone I spoke to said, "The first match you ever see in your life is a derby match, isn't that amazing?" and laugh bitterly. As I heard about the 'more things' in the past, I was reminded of what so-called British hooliganism is all about. It all ends with, "Well, that was an old story, though."

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On the day of the event, Chris, another regular who lives near the café, and his two sons agreed to go with us, so we met in front of the café to catch a train from the station, which was a minute's walk away. The first train was already full and we couldn't get on, so we took the next train down to Brighton station.

I was stunned.

There was already a long queue and we couldn't even get close to the platform for the train to the nearest station to the Amex Stadium. Anyway, there were police officers everywhere. And they are very heavily armed. I began to realise the seriousness of the situation.

Chris looked into my face and said, "This isn't usually like this. Normally you can change trains quickly and there aren't this many policemen."  I gradually understood the meaning of the smile one the previous day.

Brighton station was split up so that Palace fans and Albion fans didn't have to face each other. You'd think they were all happily singing Chant, but then it would escalate and end up in an abusive Chant that put down the Palace side. I did not want to see any Palace fans here. Chris was trying desperately  to stop his two sons to join the Chant while he looked after us not to get lost. I was soooo glad this English gentleman was with us. Otherwise... we did not make to the Stadium. 

And there was a moment when I felt this situation with nostalgy. What was it? What was it? This group of complete strangers, queuing up towards a single aim, crammed into a crowded train, and yet still happily engaged in conversation each other.

Ahhhh... It's Comicon. I thought that people are really same when it comes to the things they like. All were happy, anyway.

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Well, when I got to the stadium, watched over by a queue of police officers, it was already 10 minutes into the game started. After an hour and 15 minutes of queuing at Brighton station, Chris's face was so pale when he realised the train wasn't going to make it... It was unlucky. I really thought there was going to be a riot. Then we were lucky nothing happened.

It was hard to find our seats, so I just sat down in empty seats and said, "Oh, there's Mr. Mitoma over there", and when I pointed to him, he suddenly assisted in front of the goal. And just like that, Mr. March...

Goooooooaled!

The timing was so good that Mis I and I were screaming with joy for a while. It was so cool that we didn't mind going home at this point! It made our day! We believed that they were waiting for us. Thank you! 

After that, a lot of things happened during the game: there were two explosions from the Palace cheering side and a lot of smoke, the rain was getting heavier and heavier, and all the players were slipping and sliding around (including Mr. Mitoma...). There were two power cuts, and when the referee sent all the players back to the bench immediately after the second power cut. "Will be there going to be another replay? With a lead?" But the game resumed five minutes later. I was relieved.

Despite all that happened, the players continued to play the match perfectly. They were really good!

In the end, after 10 minutes of extra time, Albion won the game. Yay!

Oh, I forgot to mention that I brought a chicken cutlet (勝つ Katsu＝Win)Futomaki Sushi from my lunch box to watch the game for good luck. It might have worked? (lol)

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After the game, as I had expected to queue to get on the train again under the watchful eyes of a large crowd of police officers. The rain didn't bother us. Even Chant, sung in a loud, droning voice, sounds like a scene from a musical. However, it always ended with the F-word, after all💦.　

An eventful first football match for me was an unforgettable experience.

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Thank you, Mis I, for giving me such a rare opportunity.

Thank you Chris & his two sons for leading and taking me there like gentlemen from start to finish.

And to all the Albion players, thank you for making my first viewing with a victory.

It was fun!