On August 5th, I will be joining a bike team of 15 Brighton fans to take the ultimate 65 mile journey covering Brighton’s 4 stadiums since they formed in 1901. The team will start at the Goldstone Ground then continue on to Priestfield Stadium to The Withdean and the final destination will be Brighton’s new home, the future, The American Express Community Stadium!
This journey is in memory of all Brighton fans, especially friends and family who have sadly passed away in the 14 years since Brighton left the Goldstone and will not get the chance to see Brighton play at The Amex.
I will be riding to help raise money for The Robert Eaton Memorial Fund and my journey will be in memory of John Stephenson. John was a relative of Robert Eaton and an avid Brighton Hove Albion supporter with a heart of gold. John instilled this tremendous love into his 2 boys appropriately named Jack Albion and Harvey Albion. John & his wife, Lisa, owned a gift shop on the seafront and that is where Wardy & I struck up a friendship always making the seafront the first stop when arriving in from the US and having a quick pint and chat with John soon became an enjoyable routine part of our visit that lasted for years.
My favorite memory of John was when he presented Wardy with a gift that we never would have expected – a seat from the late Goldstone Ground – which Wardy has proclaimed as “the best gift I’ve ever received from a fan”. Sadly John passed away suddenly in April 2004 but he will forever remain in our heart and the heart of his many friends and family. He would have been so proud to know that his sons will now finally be able to see his blue and white stripes play at their
beautiful new home and I know he will be watching that first game from above.
Please sponsor me and remember any donation large or small will make a difference!
Thank you in advance for any support,
Jacqueline Ward (aka as MrsWardy)
