Kevin Turvey

Brighton fan here in peace. The Leicester game at the beginning of the season saw some really bad homophobic abuse from a lot of their fans near us, not just "does your boyfriend know you're here" and a gay Leicester fan was annoyed enough to make a big deal of it so it was widely discussed in the press. I think a few fans were hauled out, one banned for the rest of the season and another warned. Last weekend at Old Trafford a Brighton fan was given homophobic abuse by a fan in the disabled section, mentioned it to the stewards who heard it also and they all then applied a bit of common sense because the Brighton fan asked the steward and police to just have strong words with the Man U fan. I can't stand the homophobic abuse as I've got gay mates who have suffered terribly but no way should anyone get a banning order just for chanting homophobic abuse in a single game. I agree with all of you, the punishment is ridiculous. Someone else on our forum has suggested the punishment to attend a meeting with gay people who have been bullied or attacked and why the chants are not okay. I think that's a brilliant idea and far more likely to have a positive impact than a ban. Brighton fans get a bit holier than thou about this, we're the only ones who really get the homophobic abuse although I understand Watford and Man City occasionally get it but we routinely refer to Palace fans as Pikeys, any Welsh side as sheep****gers and a Brighton fan was chanting about Zaha having ebola and Aids against Palace also. The contrast between the punishments at Leicester and with your fans needs explaining. I think I'm right in saying that when we played you for the first time in years at your place in League 1, that there were also fans who received long bans for homophobic abuse. It looks like someone at your club has a much more draconian approach than their counterparts at other clubs. Saying that, I think it's all part of a wider issue of disproportionate punishments that football fans face. We've recently had a fan banned for 3 years for chucking a pint over a rival fan in town. Common sense seems to have gone out the window.

Just thought I'd let you all know that he could be one of the signings of the year in the Championship. I was very anti him coming back after his goal celebrations against us a few years back but if he carries on like he did last night then all will be forgotten very quickly. He's given us a bit of muscle in the middle which was a big part of our undoing last season. He's also reminded me why he was club captain under Dean Wilkins a few years back and why Wilkins rated him so highly. Anyone know what the deal is? Have Brighton got an option to buy and would you guys want him back or is he effectively a bench-warmer at your level?

Are you guys serious about getting rid of Adkins? I can't stand the bloke in a "pantomime" hate way (I'm a Brighton fan) but he deserves a full season in the Premiership no matter what happens because of what he has achieved. He's not going to get it right straight away but at least he's trying to mix it with muscle and a bit of flair in one of the top 2 leagues in the world. You don't really want to see Southampton turned into a Stoke do you with someone like Big Sam at the helm? You guys are better than that. I hope you stick by him because he's done brilliantly and I'm not sure who else could do a better job.

Alright, mate. No need to rub it in. (although in my defence I only stayed for the first 5 goals so I only saw about 83% of our sh itness.) Ive been more embarrassed, I can assure you. I once shared a bath with an ex-girlfriend, thought it would be funny to fart and make some bubbles and I followed through. I think that was more embarrassing. It was Valentine's Day as well. Not my finest moment.

I'm a Brighton fan, I was at the game and I can confirm the above. Hope that helps.

I didn't take offence at it. I've heard much worse. It was just a cruel and funny way to end what has been a rather crap week. And I don't think Brighton fans have a chip on our shoulder about our city being the gay capital. If anything, we get right up our own arses (oo-er matron) about how bohemian our town is. We're dreadful snobs when it comes to how it's so different. BTW - we're also the drugs death capital of the UK and have been for years. We're the Man U of drug-death towns, in fact. I'm hoping that one day we get to compete in Europe with the likes of Berlin, Amsterdam and Marseille. *Say we are top of the league, say we are top of the league*

Haha! You know what, if he'd shown a little more imagination in his gay-related joke tweet it would probably have been politely ignored. Silly, silly boy.

The silly Newcastle fan from Boscombe decided to get all internet warrior with Brighton fans. http://www.northstandchat.com/showthread.php?224994-Newcastle-fans-start-the-homophobic-abuse-already

It's unfinished. The East Stand will have a second tier on it and the corners are going to be filled in also.

You seem a little pre-occupied with all things bum-related. No offence intended, just saying like.

Adam El-Abd was born and grew up in Brighton.

Of course we haven't got any rivals. http://www.cpfc.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=14 - Care to register with them and tell them that Brighton aren't their rivals? Apart from your gobby manager and that ar$e Hammond, you lot never were and never will be anything more to us than a side that won an FA Cup 50 years ago and had the greatest English player ever to have kicked a ball. I don't know why you lot are making such a big thing of it. Did you ever watch Bill Hicks? Well, if you looked at the Brighton board then that little "couldn't give a toss" shrug is how most of us regard any rivalry with you.

eh? Which forum? NSC has hardly mentioned Southampton since we have re-joined battle with Palace. Honestly -- there's no love-in now but I can't see too many mentions of Saints over the last 4 months. We don't like your manager but then again apart from you, who does? And if you don't think Palace v Brighton is a real rivalry then go onto the Palace forum and start debating that. We fecking hate each other. You lot - it was only ever a temporary pretend hate until we could get back to our proper enemy. Trust me, you're hardly in our thoughts anymore. Sweet dreams...and don't have nightmares.

Seriously mate. That attitude stinks. It's also wildly inaccurate. Most gay blokes that I know are quite picky about the blokes they choose. Your average football fan with his beergut and bad dress sense doesn't quite cut it for them.

I suspect the Battle of Trafalgar will be off limits to Saints fans in colours as will a fair few others. The police put Pompey fans in the Grand Central pub before the game earlier this year. There's usually not a lot of trouble in Brighton unless it's Cardiff, Palace or Swansea so be respectful and you'll be fine in most pubs and there are a lot of good pubs around the station. The homophobes needn't panic, all the pubs in Brighton are to a greater or lesser degree gay-friendly but the overtly gay ones are not near the station bar one or two exceptions. At 2.30ish get the train to Preston Park (2 minute train ride) and as soon as you get out the east side of the station turn left and follow everyone else down a lane through a wood. It's a 10 minute walk to Withdean from the station. Whatever you do, don't try and drink near Withdean. The nearest pub - The Sportsman is probably home fans only and is a ****hole. The Station by Preston Park will be rammed and you'll struggle to get a beer. Have a good time and see you next year in the Championship.