I totally missed the email sent out about this year’s end-of-season Brighton Fans’ Forum offering the opportunity to get tickets to the event.
By the time I tried to secure my seat the following day, they were all gone. Never mind. Thanks to the wonders of technology, those of us who could not be there were able to tune in via the Albion YouTube channel to see and hear everything that went on.
The panel consisted of Brighton CEO Mr Paul Barber OBE and our God of Football, head coach Roberto De Zerbi. Also present was De Zerbi’s interpreter, Enrico Venturelli. Who does far more than just interpret, by the way.
Some great questions were asked of Mr Barber and De Zerbi and the evening was hosted superbly as usual by BBC Radio Sussex commentator, Mr Johnny Cantor.
Three major points of interest came out of the Fans’ Forum. The first was Mr Barber reassuring fans of the club’s commitment to De Zerbi.
Mr Barber emphasised the Albion are dedicated to providing De Zerbi with the necessary resources to excel in his role. This covers new players and improving the support available to De Zerbi, leading into the second point of interest.
Brighton have revamped their medical department, bringing in Professor Doctor Florian Pfab as head of medicine and Dr Gary Walker as head of performance.
The Albion have been one of the worst hit teams in the Premier League this season when it comes to injuries. These appointments show the club want to improve in that department.
Hopefully, they will mean De Zerbi has more options available to him next season and Brighton do better at keeping players fit.
The third point of interest was the most exciting of the lot with confirmation that a summer tour of Japan is highly likely.
Mr Barber said the finer points were being put on a plan hatched by the Japanese FA, who invited the Albion to visit.
Brighton of course have Kaoru Mitoma to thank for that. I sincerely hope that Mitoma is both recovered from his back injury to play and that is not a farewell tour in an Albion shirt before he moves elsewhere.
With how important Mitoma is to Brighton, it would be a huge blow if we had to say sayōnara to him this summer.
The reason I am so excited about the prospect of visiting Japan is because of my links to the country. Back in the 1980s, I worked as the United Kingdom’s golf ambassador to the Japanese Golf Federation.
What should Albion fans expect then if they follow the Seagulls to the Land of the Rising Sun? Well, certain etiquette must be observed.
It is considered highly rude for example to tip anyone providing you with a service, like a taxi driver or barman. Never interrupt anyone who is speaking, either.
Do not be surprised if you see a tram driver wearing a uniform and pristine white gloves fit for Buckingham Palace.
And also be prepared for it to take a moment for trams to stop and empty; or at least it does in Nagasaki, where departing passengers politely bow to the driver.
If any members of the Albion management hand over a business card, make sure to do it with both hands.
Mrs Noble and I have always wanted to revisit Japan since our Nagasaki trip in 2019. It was a wonderful, overwhelming and the locals were so very kind to us.
Any Brighton fan considering making the trip, my advice would be to do it. Visiting Japan is an incredible experience, even without seeing Mitoma Mania first hand.
And if anyone at the club is reading this and think the squad need someone who has been to Japan before to tag along (apart from Mitoma), maybe I could hitch a ride?
I can count to 10 in Japanese and everything…
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
Seagulls Best Ever Season Volume 2 charts Brighton’s record breaking 2022-23 campaign through the eyes of Tony Noble, an East Stand Upper season ticket holder at the American Express Stadium. It is available from Waterstones, WHSmith, Amazon Bookstore and all good bookshops as well as the Albion Superstore at the Amex and via this link.
