New play highlights Brighton's tumultuous journey from Goldstone Ground
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 7:00 AM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
A new play focuses on the challenging history of Brighton's football fans, detailing their difficult transition from the Goldstone Ground to temporary homes like Gillingham and an athletics stadium. The narrative is centered around a pivotal moment in 1995 when fans learned that Brighton had sold the Goldstone Ground. Ian Hart, a key figure in the Brighton fanzine Gull's Eye, shared insights about the ramifications of this move for the club's identity. The play aims to reflect on the struggles and resilience of the supporters through this tumultuous period.
- •Play documents fans' difficult journey after losing the Goldstone Ground
- •Ian Hart recalls pivotal moment from 1995 affecting Brighton's future
- •Fans transitioned through Gillingham and an athletics stadium
- •Play aims to highlight supporters' struggles and resilience
- •Gordon Lucking's involvement underlines rivalries and tensions
- 7:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — Rancour, road trips and revival: tale of battle for Brighton’s future hits the stage
"New play spotlights fans’ tortuous trek from the Goldstone Ground, via Gillingham and an athletics stadium It was the tip-off that changed Ian Hart’s life for ever. The funeral director from Worthing was co-editor of the Brighton fanzine Gull’s Eye when he received a phone call from Gordon Lucking, a Crystal Palace director, in July 1995. “Gordon always wanted to join the Brighton board, but they didn’t want him there,” Hart says. “Ron Noades [the Palace chair] welcomed him with open arms. One of his [Lucking’s] employees had been on this golf day and someone got pissed in the evening and said: ‘You’ll never guess what’s happened – Brighton have sold the Goldstone Ground and are moving to Portsmouth.’ Gordon loved it, because it was another nail in Brighton’s coffin.” Continue reading...
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