***** Taken from the BBS *****

Match Arrangements: Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace November 28th ko 19:45

Details will be updated when applicable

Supporters must bring the correct season ticket or membership card to verify their named tickets

Transport to Brighton

Brighton operate a system of free travel to the ground by train or Brighton and Hove buses within a zone south of Haywards Heath and between Worthing and Eastbourne. This will operate between 16:15 and midnight for supporters of both teams on production of a valid match ticket. Thus you will only need a train ticket to Haywards Heath if travelling to Falmer via Brighton or Lewes after 16:15. Fans may exit and then re-enter Brighton Station during these times. Journeys to Falmer take 10 minutes from both Brighton and Lewes Stations and trains run approximately every 10 minutes before the game. They are usually up to 10 carriages on match days which can now be fully accommodated on the extended Falmer platforms.
Bus routes 23,25,28,29 and 50 run from Churchill Square or The Levels area along the A270 Lewes Road to stops close to the ground and the nearby University Campus. Brighton and Hove buses from Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, Ringmer and Lewes are also included in the free travel scheme.
Return coach travel at £17 is the easiest option and will depart from Selhurst Park at 15:00. Currently sold out but additional coaches may be added subject to demand at the box office. Pre-booked pick-ups will also be made at the Starbucks in Hooley just before the M23 however parking in this area is now very restricted. Brighton has a large coach park adjacent to the away section.

Parking

Supporters with valid match tickets may use one of the free Park and Ride sites. All sites are stewarded with controlled loading of buses which take about 15 mins to reach the ground but they can get caught in congestion near the ground on the A27.

Site 1 - Mill Road (Sat Nav: BN1 8ZF) is off the 3rd exit on the roundabout junction of the A23 and A27 on the approach to Brighton. This has 450 spaces but is usually full 1½ hours before kick-off.

Site 2 - Brighton University (Sat Nav: BN2 4AT) is off of the A23 one-way system on the A270 Lewes Road with 500 spaces is available from about 17:15 on evening games and at about 2½ miles is the nearest to the ground.

Site 3 - Brighton Racecourse (Sat Nav: BN2 9XZ) is the largest and quickest to clear with 700 spaces and has never yet been full for any game. Fans are advised to approach this site from the A23 one-way system in the centre of Brighton via Union Road and Elm Grove or via the A259 Marine Parade and Freshfield Road to avoid congestion on the A27 close to the ground and in the Woodingdean area. The roads between the Racecourse and ground are unsuitable for walking on evening games.

No street parking is available within 2½ miles of the ground as both the local Coldean or Mouslecoomb estates have resident parking only schemes. Fans using the ‘park on my drive’ or visitor scratch card schemes in these areas are advised to carry copies of any email confirmations.
Spaces in the nearby Bridge car park off of the A270 are available in advance only to all fans for £15 but usually sell out quite early and this can take 90 mins to clear after games.

Drinking Prior to the Game

Supporters will be able to use their usual pubs and bars in Brighton or Lewes before the game but are advised that all pubs close to Brighton station will be strictly home fans only. Away friendly bars, including Yates and Wetherspoons, are located on West Street, which is about ½mile directly down from the station near Churchill Square and The Lanes. Most town centre pubs will have stewards so obviously anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and fans are also advised to allow at least 1¼ hours getting to the ground. Remember the ground is a 4 mile walk from the town centre!

Entry to ground

Turnstiles will be open 2 hours before kick-off. A cordon will be set up prior to the turnstiles to verify the named tickets against the correct season ticket or membership identification with non-ticket holders and Brighton supporters directed away from the segregated area by the away turnstiles. A rigorous body search will be made on all supporters. To avoid delays fans are asked to not bring any bags and carry as little as possible with any larger item including phones or glass cases held in their hands. Pyrotechnic and drug search dogs will also be employed. To avoid the obvious delays fans are encouraged to enter the ground as early as possible with full refreshment and bar facilities as well as TV screens available inside before the game. The continued sale of alcoholic drinks will depend on the actions of supporters on the concourse.

Restricted items, Banners and Flags

Only bags (including handbags) equivalent to A4 size or smaller will be allowed into the ground.
Only banners or flags (without sticks) smaller than 150cm x 150cm will be allowed into the ground.
Only 500ml plastic bottles of soft drinks or water will be allowed but the top may be removed.
No pyrotechnic devices, flagsticks, glass containers, or cans will be allowed
Only small folded, non-pointed umbrellas will be allowed.
No storage facilities will be available.

Accessible Facilities

There are 15 wheelchair spaces on elevated platforms and also some easy access seats which can be booked by phoning the CPFC Disability Liaison Officer, Pam Groves. Due to the Equalities Act supporters using these facilities must qualify under the same criteria as all other supporters. Priority parking locations are available at the Park and Ride sites with some buses having spaces for wheelchairs.

Abusive Chanting and Behaviour

Although this was discussed it was agreed to be a more general problem in football and not specific to these fixtures. However the documentary earlier this year by Gareth Thomas will throw a media spotlight on our actions at this game. There will be a large Police presence within the ground but I would encourage all fans to exert peer pressure on fellow supporters who may make homophobic chants or get involved in unruly behaviour. Actions at these games will affect the restrictions and potential numbers at future fixtures with Palace officials confirming that offences by season ticket holders could have consequences for attendance at future home games.

After the Game

All away supporters will be held back for a time whilst the immediate area is cleared. Police hope this will be a short period (my estimate is 20 mins) but it will depend on the match circumstances. Those Brighton fans who usually delay leaving the ground to avoid the initial queues may eventually be held back themselves. Refreshment and bar facilities will remain open after the game and fans can continue to use the seated areas or watch TV screens while they wait. Fans may wish to verify train times closer to the date as Southern usually run additional local services. While fans returning directly to London await their special train, others will be able to leave for trains to other destinations, proceed to the away coach park, join the relevant Park and Ride queues or depart for their car parks. Supporters who are returning on the special train will then be escorted to Falmer Station once it is clear just prior to departure.

Special Return Train

Southern will run a special train from Falmer Station. This will be 12 carriages long and capable of carrying almost 1000 people but supporters may have to walk through to the last carriages. This will probably run via Lewes where it will stop outside for a short time in order to reverse direction up the line to London Victoria. It will make three stops with exact times yet to be confirmed but my current estimates are: departing Falmer 22:20 and arriving Three Bridges 23:00; East Croydon 23:20; Clapham Junction 23:35 and Victoria 23.45. Transport Police will be expected to be on board but whatever the result please respect your fellow fans and do not damage or disrupt this service as everyone will be keen to get home.

When I was a young girl my Mother said to me.. You listen here kid you're CPFC