Scarf Day and North Stand Chat

Scarf Day
Originally uploaded by jem.

Scarf Day at the Albion

My almost annual visit to the Withdean to see Brighton yesterday coincided with "Scarf Day". This was a interesting attempt to try and inject some passion and atmosphere into what has been a miserable season for the Albion marooned mid table in League One.

Every new ticket holder was given a voucher for a new (acrylic it turned out) blue and white Brighton Scarf and season ticket holders had the chance to buy new ones for £2.50. Whilst I was queuing up for mine, the bloke in the front laughed "The ideas that come from chat rooms!"

However doomed, (it rained and we lost 1-0) this was another example of the successful campaigning and lobbying that is achieved via the unofficial forum for Brighton fans; North Stand Chat. The scarf idea started via a thread on the board from long time fan; Danny Last and was picked up in the local paper and then by the club itself.

This grassroots campaigning was nice to see even if the results were a little forlorn. The scarf swinging was a bit half hearted but then it was raining again and we don't have a roof. And good to see communities where the club/media owner's involvement with forums goes beyond just asking "what do you think ?" and then never being heard from again.