See what Brighton and Hove Albion's fans think of the upcoming games against some of Europe's top teams in the Europa League
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00:00 I came out on Paul, my boy Ben. How long have you been Brighton fans for? Me, since I was
00:19 about 16, so yeah back in the day, back at Goldstone ground. And he's been, well his
00:24 initials are BHA. All my life. How amazing is it to be in the Europa League this season?
00:31 Unreal isn't it, unreal. Watching the draw yesterday and when the sort of Group B was
00:35 coming out and I said to my missus, we'll be drawing in Group B, I just knew it. So
00:39 the initial thing was oh my god, that's bad, but then afterwards you just think wow, amazing.
00:44 To see those teams coming here, it's going to be unbelievable. How delighted were you
00:50 with the draw yesterday? Fantastic, it's absolutely fantastic. Just to be there, it's something
00:54 else isn't it, but as I say, to see the likes of Ajax coming here and what have you, it's
00:59 going to be unbelievable. Who's your pick of the bunch, the most one you look forward
01:03 to? Any of them, probably Ajax to be fair. We've just been watching videos of the fans
01:09 and what they're like. I don't think Brighton knows what's going to hit it, to be honest.
01:13 It's a whole different ball game. It's not Palace, this is unbelievable. Can't wait.
01:18 Are you looking to travel out there for games? We won't be able to get there unfortunately.
01:21 I doubt we'll get the points and be able to get out there, but yeah, just can't wait.
01:27 Can't wait. It's going to be brilliant. How far do you think Albion can go in the competition?
01:30 We can win it, of course we can. Why not? Why not? Definitely. Obviously Antifatti can
01:36 only help. How shocked were you when Brighton announced it? Again, being a fan for so long
01:41 and to see the players we're used to seeing, looking back at Kazim Richards, the Coca-Cola
01:46 kid and people like that, signing players for a kit. And then to be able to sign someone
01:52 like him is just unbelievable. Still pinch ourselves. Can't wait.
01:57 I'm Sam, I've been a Brighton fan for three or four years now, since I've lived in the city.
02:03 Amazing. And yourself? I'm Naomi and I've been a Brighton fan for about the same time.
02:08 Amazing. How pleased are you to be in the Europa League this season?
02:11 Over the world. Over the moon. It's really, really exciting.
02:15 What was your favourite team to be picked out?
02:18 Well, Ajax. That's Naomi's second favourite.
02:22 I'm from the Netherlands, so it's going to be a bit of a tricky one for me, but definitely
02:28 supporting both sides. Amazing. You're looking to travel out for the game over there?
02:31 Yeah. Awesome. How far do you think Brighton can go in the competition itself?
02:36 I don't know. I'm not sure. I don't know. Fingers crossed though.
02:40 I'd say as far as we see us go right now. Amazing. And actually, Fatih obviously can help,
02:47 the signing for Barcelona. How amazed are you by that?
02:50 Brilliant. Just what we need.
02:54 And today, what are your score predictions for Newcastle?
02:57 I don't know. I reckon 2-1. I was going to say 2-1, but I'm going to say 2 now.
03:03 We're going to beat them. Good stuff. Lovely. Thank you very much, guys.
03:08 Can you introduce yourself and the little ladders?
03:10 Yeah, sure. My name is Lee, my little boy Felix. I'm here for the first time this season.
03:14 Amazing. How long have you been a Brighton fan for?
03:16 About 25 years. Amazing. So, this season must be incredible to be in the Europa League for the first time?
03:22 Yeah, it's amazing. From being in League Two, watching it all the way through, and now it's like the pinnacle.
03:28 Magnificent. I'm excited. Really excited.
03:31 How pleased were you with the draw yesterday?
03:33 Yeah, I think the ties are really… they're glamorous ties. They're big clubs.
03:38 Although it's going to be very difficult, I think it's going to be some cracking games.
03:42 So, yeah, really looking forward to it.
03:44 Amazing. Are you looking to travel out to any of the games in particular?
03:47 If I can get tickets in time off work, then yeah, I'll be there. 100%.
03:50 Which one would you most like to go to?
03:51 Marseille. Marseille away would be… it's a bit…
03:54 Amazing. How far do you think Brighton can go in the competition?
03:56 If we can get out of this really tough group, then yeah, who knows?
04:00 So, he's further. But I think getting out of the group will be key.
04:05 Brilliant. How key will Anthony Fatty be? Having signed him from Barcelona?
04:09 He's got the experience. He's played for Barcelona.
04:13 So, yeah, to get him… yeah, it's amazing for us. Really helpful. Really important.
04:19 Yeah, I'm David. I've been a Brighton fan since 1978.
04:24 I went to QPR Brighton Friendly the season they went up to Division One.
04:29 Amazing. So, how delighted are you to be in the Europa League and the journey that Brighton have had to get there?
04:35 It's amazing. Yeah, no, it's been… you know, from the days of going to Gillingham and almost being out of the league to being back in the Premier League was a dream.
04:43 To actually be in Europe is quite incredible to think about it over that period of time.
04:47 I think the closest we got was '83 if we'd won the cup final.
04:50 That's the closest I think we've ever been to Europe before. So, to get in last year was quite incredible.
04:56 Yeah, and obviously the draw yesterday. What are your thoughts on that?
04:59 Yeah, no, it couldn't be… in some ways…
05:01 Could have been easier.
05:02 Could have been easier. Could have been a lot easier. But you've got the big names.
05:05 You know, Ajax, that's got to be a top European club. Marseille, they've won the European Cup and AK Athens it feels like.
05:13 You know, they're going to be great nights here. That's for certain.
05:16 So, are you looking to travel out to any of the countries to watch the games?
05:18 I might consider the Ajax game. My brother-in-law lives in Holland so I might work something with him.
05:26 Amazing. How far do you think Brighton will go in the competition?
05:29 That's a very good question. You don't want to put the mockers on it.
05:32 I mean, if they do themselves decent in the group stage, it would be nice to get through the qualifying, the knockouts of the stage.
05:39 But clearly we'll see how good we are. With the new players we've signed, Fati.
05:45 Yeah, the Barcelona. Who knows? Could be the extra element we need.
05:50 How long have you been Brighton fans for?
05:53 He started this year. This is my grandson Ronnie. And I went to my first game in August 1964. So, 50 odd years for me.
06:03 Amazing.
06:04 We beat Barrow 3-1.
06:06 Wow. What a journey since then.
06:08 Just a bit. I've seen it all.
06:11 How amazing is it to be in the Europa League now?
06:14 Fantastic. Just enjoy it while we can. You never know when it will come along again.
06:20 It really is just a case of enjoy it while it's here. But I plan to go to all three away games if possible.
06:28 I've got to chuck out a mention here to what we run, which is BHA Blues away. We run coaches for all the away games.
06:36 But obviously the European ones are a bit far by coach. We're hoping to go to them. But what a journey.
06:45 What a journey. Absolutely. Any particular teams you're really looking forward to playing in the European away days?
06:50 Anybody. Don't mind. The only team I ever look forward to watching is Brighton.
06:55 I don't go to any other game to watch any other team. I only ever go to watch Brighton play.
07:00 Good stuff. How far do you think Brighton can go in the competition?
07:04 It's a tough group. I'd like to say we're getting to the knockout and even go on and win it.
07:10 But realistically it's a tough group. As long as we give a good account of ourselves in the group stage, then I'll be happy.
07:18 The signing of Antti Fatih from Barcelona can only help. How amazing was that signing?
07:23 Incredible. Incredible signing. To sign a player like that.
07:28 The only thing I don't like is when everybody's saying, 'What a surprise. How come Brighton managed to get him?'
07:33 Brighton managed to get him because we finished sixth in the league last year and we're in Europe next year.
07:38 We're getting better every year. With the manager we've got, he's the best signing this club has ever made.
07:45 Amazing. And how about you? What game are you most looking forward to in the UEFA League next season?
07:50 I'm not really sure. I'm looking forward to all of them.
07:58 He's just learning all the Albion songs and all now. His dad's a Man United fan so I hope to win him over and become a Brighton fan.
08:09 Who's your favourite player?
08:12 I think he's got a score of eight. My heart says two-one but my head says two-all.
08:27 Mike Rowley. Quite on and off. Quite a long time.
08:32 How pleased are you to be in the Europa League?
08:34 Brilliant. A good dream and nice to see it. And to see some of these fighting teams now.
08:41 Some decent teams coming this time so I'm looking forward to some good matches.
08:45 Who do you think you'll be picking a bunch from the draw?
08:47 Brighton.
08:49 Who's your favourite team?
08:51 Marseille probably. I'm looking forward to that one.
08:54 You're going to be travelling out there to watch the game?
08:56 I'm giving it a go. There's obviously going to be about three and a half thousand tickets so we'll just have to wait and see.
09:03 How far do you think Brighton can go in the competition?
09:07 I'd like to think we'll get into the play-offs and then see how it goes from there really.
09:10 It's just getting out of the group stages. That's the key.
09:13 How important do you think the Europa League is to Brighton's success this season?
09:17 I think it's important not only for the success but to keep the players we've got and attract others.
09:22 I think they all go hand in hand together. Exciting times. It's going to be interesting.
09:26 You made the signing of Anthony Fati from Barcelona. That was incredible.
09:32 Do you think he'll be able to really help Brighton?
09:35 Yeah, especially with Europa as well. The team's a lot stronger and they've got better depth. Things can only get better really.
09:45 Brilliant. Thank you very much guys.