There’s nothing quite like a Brighton & Hove Albion home match. Robert Townsend gets that feeling spot on in “Long Way Together.” For me, the day always starts the same: I’m on the train early, already buzzing, and my first stop is Bardsley’s for fish and chips. Honestly, you won’t find better anywhere. Then it’s up to The Swan Inn, where the usual faces are already swapping stories and predictions over a pint. Townsend brings all of this to life – the build-up, the nerves, those little rituals that make a Saturday feel special.
You can tell he’s lived every moment. He writes about the camaraderie in the stands, the old Goldstone days, and the way we all laugh or shake our heads about last week’s result. It’s familiar and comforting, like a conversation with a mate at half-time.
But Townsend isn’t just reliving matches. He’s been involved at every level – ball boy, club staff, you name it. He’s seen the club’s highs and lows from inside and out, and his stories make the journey from Goldstone to the Amex feel personal. Some are hilarious, some are moving, all of them ring true.
If you love football, or just want to understand what keeps people coming back to Brighton season after season, this is the book for you. Townsend has written something that feels like ours – the ups, the heartbreak, the whole ride in blue and white.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Publisher: Fascinating Selection of Books – A Must See!
Published: September 14, 2026
Price: £19.99
Hardback: 288 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1836804413
Dimensions: 22.2 x 14.4 x 2.5 cm
