Albion Continue Poyet Inquiry

By Henry Smith

The saga of Gus Poyet’s suspension continues as Albion Chief Executive Paul Barber has announced ‘inquiries will take as long as necessary.’

Poyet was suspended last month along with first team coach Charlie Oatway and managerial assistant Mauricio Taricco.

The Uruguayan has been manager of Brighton since 2009 and won promotion from League One in 2011.

The problems began after Brighton’s 2-0 loss to arch rivals Crystal Palace in the Championship semi-final of the playoffs.

Brighton officially apologised to The Eagles after excrement was found in the visitor’s dressing room, although no evidence suggests an Amex staff member was responsible.

Barber expressed sympathy to the fans saying, “I appreciate that the issues we have had to face in recent weeks have created some uncertainty and concern for some of our supporters.”

He added, “Unfortunately, this is something we must all live with for the time being.”

Poyet is under contract at Brighton until 2016 but has recently made no secret of his ambitions to manage at Premier League level, despite turning down an offer to manage Reading.

He said shortly after the Palace defeat, “I will analyse where we can go and myself as well. I have got to think about myself as well sometimes.”

There has also been a recent outcry in Spain, with fans of Real Zaragoza, where Poyet made his name as a player, calling for the club executives to make a move for the Albion boss.

Zaragoza’s current boss, Manolo Jimenez, is expected to leave at the end of the season after the club were relegated from Spain’s top division, La Liga.

Poyet’s future will be on mind of every Albion fan, who still seem to be backing the Uruguayan, who guided Brighton to a fourth place finish in the Championship this season, their highest since 1983.

Albion’s new training ground: good or bad?

Albion’s Amex stadium

By Mollie Bennett

Work is well under-way on Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club’s new state of the art training ground, but just how will it benefit the community.

The new £29million facilities will be based at New Monks Farm in Mash Barn Lane, Lancing.

It boasts 11 full size outdoor football pitches, with five for use by the first team and the other six for academy, youth team and community use.

It will also have a distinctive Y-shaped two-storey building, which will contain an indoor pitch, changing rooms, a swimming pool, medicine facilities, a gym, physio rooms and offices for the club’s analysts.

Albion have also recently submitted an application for three more pitches at the venue, insisting that it would not increase the number of people using the training ground.

They claim it would allow extra rotation at the facilities, to decrease wear on the pitches, increase the availability for community use and allow more time for schools and local clubs during the week.

Despite this, residents have objected to increase the application insisting it will impact on the local flood plain.

The club, however, say that as the pitches are being built four and a half metres above the existing ground water table, they will collect the rain waiter and use it for irrigation of the pitches.

The site, which is being built on land that was unused, is set to boast the local economy but some residents are not pleased with the project.

The Mash Barn Community Group fears it will create late night noise and light issues as well increase the traffic around the area.

They argue the land could have had greater public use if Adur District Council had instead opted to develop the site into seven public football pitches.

On the other hand, Albion insist the site will deliver a vital economic boost with the estimated 300 jobs it is set to create, along with the three million pound worth of building contracts that could be injected into the community.

Barry McLaughlin, of Albion in the Community believes it will have a positive influence, stating that it would serve to strengthen some of Brighton’s community engagement, including its Want to Work scheme, which has seen more than 300 people gain employment over the past year,

The bid was eventually accepted in September 2012 when eight councilors took just an hour and a half to decide unanimously to back the project.
Neil Parkin, leader of Adur District Council, said: “This is the largest investment in Lancing’s history and very important for the people of Lancing and Adur.”

A decision was originally expected in May 2012 but Albion were forced back to the drawing board when a number of concerns were raised over noise pollution, extra traffic and access to the site.

Councilors agreed to grant planning permission, subject to amendments, which included shorter lighting columns in the car park and alterations to the access roads.

Despite the amendments neighbours are still concerned about the noise pollution as well as traffic and access to the site, which would be along a two-way road that passes through a neighbouring estate,

The site would also include a 303-space car park with room for a coach and about 30 bicycles.

Brighton and Hove Albion director Martin Perry, reacted to the criticism insisting the club is eager to develop a good relationship with its neightbours at the Lancing site.

He said: “The facility will have a community-use agreement and subject to availability it will be open to the public.”

Perry also believes the site will create a new community legacy as the club has confirmed the scheme is making an investment of £1.3m towards additional sporting facilities within Adur to support emerging talent.

The Sussex County FA, based in Culver Road, Lancing, say they are delighted to see the development go ahead, insisting it will enhance the community in various ways, including bringing in business for the local businesses and creating employment possibilities in the local area.

They went on to explain how it will enable the local community to utilize better facilities by way of the financial contribution from the club to Adur District Council to enhance the existing faculties within the district.

“The Sussex County FA is delighted to see the development go ahead and will work with both the club and the local authorities to ensure that the community is a winner here,” they said.

Carrie Reynolds, who is community development manager at Inspire Leisure, the local gym facilities partnered with the Arun District Council, is also in favor of the new training ground.

She said: “Having BHAFC in our local area has had such a positive impact on community sport, and the work that the AITC team do day-to-day which improves the lives of so many.

“To have the football club invest in this fantastic facility will only improve community sport opportunities even further.”

Albion have been criticised for the location of their training facilities as they are outside Brighton, however they believe the 40-acre location will attract fans from across the whole area.

The club has selected the same company that constructed the Amex and the highway maintenance to and from the stadium, to build the site which is set to be fully functional for the start of Albion’s 2014 pre-season.

Buckingham Group Contracting will be constructing the site as part of a £22 million contract, while Adenstar Developments will be constructing the access road linking with the existing Mash Barn Lane.

The Adur-based company previously built the access roads through the University of Sussex, and will be performing under a £600,000 engineering contract.

Hat-trick hero Ulloa sinks Huddersfield in 4-1 victory

The Argus Achievement Awards 2012: Preview

By Henry Willis

The Argus Achievement Awards has always been a chance to give thanks to the unsung heroes in the community in appreciation of those whose work goes unrecognised.

Anyone who thinks they have been inspired by an individual, school or other organisation is each year encouraged to nominate them under one of a number of categories.

Nominations are now concluded as the event prepares for its 11^th year of awards at the Theatre Royal on Sunday, October 28^th.

Categories span across a broad range of subjects, from Teacher of the Year Contribution to Sussex Sport, with so much more in between.

One of the most poignant categories is the Outstanding Contribution to Sussex award. Among those nominated are celebrated singer Dame Vera Lynn, Brighton and Hove Albion club director Martin Perry and Sue Addis, managing director of long-standing restaurant Donatello.

As well as Sue’s personal award recommendation, Donatello are up for their own and have been put forward for Business in the Community.

Speaking of their continued success and their nomination for the award, Sue said: “Part of our success is that we are a family-run business. That and hard work.”

The restaurant has long been a sponsor of Brighton and Hove Albion, with their logo appearing prominently on the back of their shirts since 1998.

Sue added: “We’ve seen a lot of business come from the football club. We’ve been with them when they were suffering, notably when they were playing in Gillingham in the lower leagues.

“Football fans have families and they come to eat with us to celebrate and when the team lose, they come in when they are miserable! It’s a pleasure to be officiated with them.”

Since opening in 1991, Donatello have sponsored the Albion, City in Bloom, Brighton Fringe Festival and the Theatre Royal among others as they go up against The Plough and Wellesley Wealth Advisory in their category.

The other award that always gains the most support is Courageous Child of the Year, sponsored by The Argus Appeal.

This category sees children nominated who have boldly battled illness and exhibited braveness to help others. Alex Rookley was put forward having rescued his friend who began struggling against the waves in Eastbourne sea in August.

Others are Hayley Okines, 14, who suffers from progeria, a condition that has seen only 140 ever diagnosed. Brave Rhys Watkins has twice battled cancer in a year as he continues to soldier on through treatment.

Two-year-old Abi Marshall suffers from Reflex Anoxic Seizures as she tries to live a normal life despite the fear of extreme emotions potentially causing her heart to stop.

Benedict McAlister, five, battles a rare muscle-wasting disease and Ryan Mander, 13, struggles to walk because of brittle bones as all youngsters will hope to be further recognised for their courage by winning the award.

One school in the city that helps children with illness and disability through learning is Downs View School, who share Varndean College’s campus on Surrenden Road.

They too have been nominated for their own award, as they go up against Hove Park School and Hertford Infant & Nursery School for School of the Year.

Downs View has consistently been rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in all categories. Its continued success has been a remarkable achievement since it was built in 2006.

Sandy Austen, who works at the college and nominated them for the award, said: “The whole school is geared towards helping students prepare for their future lives.

“It’s been such a luxury to have the space an equipment to give the students a proper education.

“Notably, we have set up inclusion work with neighbouring Varndean College and the opportunity for our students to go out on work experience.

“To continue our success, we’re preparing to put in a lot of hard work and continue with the right education to cater for people’s needs.”

The college was originally built to provide for 19-25-year-olds but now is available to a whole range of ages with learning difficulties.

Other categories in the Achievement Awards include the Adam Faith Local Hero of the Year, Contribution to Arts and Culture, Mum of the Year, Charity of the Year, Community Event of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Dad of the Year, Achiever of the Year, Young Employee of the Year, Green Project of Person of the Year, Carer of the Year, Outstanding Pupil of the Year, Beyond the Call of Duty and Public Services.

The awards ceremony will be hosted by newsreader Nicholas Owen and the results and pictures will be in The Argus on Monday (29^th) and Tuesday (30^th).

Breaking news: Brighton & Hove Albion players charged with sexual assault and voyeurism

By Liam Dawes

Three Brighton & Hove Albion players and a Bournemouth player have been charged with sexual assault and voyeurism.

Brighton up to 4th!

By Paul Healey

Brighton beat sorry Derby on Tuesday 2-0 and remain fourth even after this weeks wednesday results.

The start given to defender Indigo Calderon paid almost immediate dividend as he scored after only 9 minutes and a further goal come from a Vicente cross in the 65th which Ashley Barnes only had to tap in.

Brighton dominated the first half and a good deal of the second but Jake Buxton headed over twice for the visitors after the break and Paul Green nodded wide from a Theo Robinson cross.

Kazenga LuaLua was a constant threat and well worth his start having been involved in the second goal and playing  80 minutes.

Brighton have put the 3-1 away loss at Blackpool behind them and there will be exciting times ahead with only eight games remaining.

Robbery of Brighton Man on Western Road is linked to similar Attack on Ship Street

By Harriet Thacker

Photo courtesy of Creative Commons by Yandle
Police believe that the robbery of man in Western Road, Brighton, at the weekend may be linked to another robbery in Ship Street earlier the same night.

Brighton and Crawley land dream ties in the FA Cup last sixteen

By Jamie Spoor

As a fan of a team perennially involved in the battle for the Premier League title, the FA Cup does not mean a great deal to me, proving more of an unwelcome distraction.

FA Youth Cup: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Aston Villa

By Paul Dantanus

Jake Forster-Caskey’s second half free-kick gave the Albion youngsters a memorable first win at the American Express Community Stadium at the expense of a strong Aston Villa side in the FA Youth Cup Third Round proper.

Brighton and Hove Albion’s Defeat At Southampton last Saturday reignites the Referee Debate

By Liam Dawes

The standard of football officials has been thrust into the spotlight once more following last Saturday’s controversial refereeing display by Peter Walton in Brighton & Hove Albion’s 3-0 defeat at Southampton.