EASTER weekend can make or break a season. As far back as 1975, on Good Friday, Derby County were three points (in the days of two points for a win) adrift of both Liverpool and Ipswich Town at the top of the Football League.
But, by Easter Monday evening, they were well and truly back in the hunt and went on to win their second title in three years by two points.
The Albion travel to Burnley on Good Friday still very much in the play-off picture, with then the added advantage of three full days’ recovery, before taking on title challengers Reading at the Amex on Tuesday night.
For those not able to travel up on Friday, there is the distinct possibility that the game could yet end up on in any number of local hostelries as a result of the change in the satellite regulations.
As reported a couple of weeks ago, Al Jazeera beamed the Albion versus Pompey game live at 3pm the other Saturday and I know of at least four local pubs that showed the game legally.
As for the action on the pitch, excuse the cliché, but, with six games left, it’s both very much on a match-to-match basis and every game is a cup final.
Burnley won 1-0 at the Amex in a game that saw the Albion down to nine men early on. Yet, most people left the stadium, including local Claret Bernie Cozzi, thinking Brighton deserved at least a point.
Turf Moor is traditionally a hard place to go to, but I think we can get a result. And then a point on Tuesday would see four points represent a satisfactory haul over the holiday period.
l Locally, Worthing face an important weekend with the visit to Merstham on Saturday, before the arrival of deadly rivals Bognor on Easter Monday.
As previously stated, with no Albion game on Monday, El Presidente, Morty Hollis, has offered a kind invitation to all existing Albion season ticket holders to get into the ground for five English pounds on production of their Amex swipe card.
This offer was featured in last week’s Albion matchday programme and, having already spoken to a number of local season ticket holders, I think the offer could get quite a good take-up.
Dare I say it, but if the Albion were to be in the Premier League next year, with all the differing kick-off times, would it be something Worthing could explore on a more permanent basis?
l Unfortunately, due to commitments, I missed not one but two official openings in the last week.
On Saturday, Chipps unveiled their new cricketing facility at the Rotary, while yesterday (Wednesday) saw Sir Trevor Brooking open the new Worthing Town HQ at Palatine.
In what can sometimes be depressing times away from sport, with the dire economic and social climate, these two projects are proof that there can be light at the end of the tunnel through sport.
Congratulations to both Paul Baker at Chipps and Ian Stewart at Town, and their respective committees, for their hard work, drive and determination.
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