For those who got the soccer itch from this summer’s World Cup, the time to scratch has arrived. The English Premier League, the top domestic league in the world by most measurements, kicks off this weekend, with dozens of World Cup stars along for the ride from the south coast up through London and all the way to the Scottish border.
If this is the year you’ve decided to pick a team and join the action, then welcome. You’re in for a great time. If you’re still deciding who to cheer for, there’s a club that perfectly mirrors St. Pete and already has a local supporters group: Brighton & Hove Albion. If you’re intrigued, join us at our first watch party of the season this Sunday, August 23, at Horse & Jockey in South Pasadena for a 9 am kickoff against Aston Villa.
The rare major soccer club owned by a native of the city and lifelong fan, Brighton are regarded as one of the best-run clubs in the world, playing an exciting style of football with a mix of electric young talent and established international veterans. They also qualified for international competition this year in the Conference League, thanks to finishing high enough in the Premier League last season, so there’s midweek entertainment all year (including a trip inside the Arctic Circle in Norway this Thursday) as well as an extra chance at winning some hardware.
However, just being good or having fun players isn’t enough to pick a team. Personnel and success both come and go. The key is to pick a club you identify with. It could be the city where your ancestors lived, or a place you fell in love with while traveling. It could be the colors, mascot and history. And honestly, it’s perfectly fine if it’s just about becoming obsessed with Erling Haaland over the summer (though, for Rays fans, know that this is akin to an Oklahoma native picking the Yankees or Dodgers).
When I picked Brighton some years back, it was because it reminded me of home. St. Pete and the coastal city of Brighton may as well be sister cities. Sister regions, in fact, as the official tourism arm is “Visit Brighton and Hove,” much like Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. The ethos of the club matches that of its hometown: a vibrant, inclusive, arts-filled tourism hub home to a pro team that regularly punches above its weight.
Photo courtesy Brighton Palace Pier
Photo courtesy City of St. Pete
Photo courtesy Brighton & Hove Albion
Sound familiar yet? Here are a handful of facts about Brighton, both city and club, that mirror the city we call home here on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
A popular tourist destination on the country’s southeastern coast
Famous for its iconic and historic pier
Celebrated for its street art, murals, and eclectic arts culture
Home to one of the world’s biggest Pride celebrations and parades every summer
One of the most walkable cities on the coast, with a mix of waterfront promenades and urban neighborhoods packed with dining, shopping, and performing arts
The mascot is a dang Seagull. Who among us hasn’t lost a fry (chip?) to a swooping seagull at Caddy’s Treasure Island
A community-first club that supports local, showcases local artists, aims for sustainability, and prioritizes organic growth over commercialism
Fatboy Slim is their most popular super fan (this has nothing to do with St. Pete, it’s just a fact I love mentioning as a millennial)
Does more with less, competing with (and regularly beating) global juggernauts on one of the smallest budgets in the Premier League
One of the most diverse clubs in the world with 20+ nationalities represented on the roster
Photo via Visit Brighton
Photo via Grand Central Brewhouse
Photo via DOGMA Brighton
Photo via Vitale Bros.
Local art and major sports complement each other in St. Pete and Brighton
As said above, find a club that feels right for you, so long as it isn’t Crystal Palace. You’re in for a good time, and worst case, we’ll see you twice a year. If the Brighton story resonates, there are a few dozen of us Seagulls getting together locally for matches, beach cleanups, and general cawing into the ether that would love to have you join us. We are the first official Brighton Supporters Club in Florida, and we’re aiming to become one of the biggest in the country.
If you’re interested, or if you just want an excuse to make friends over Guinness at a time otherwise reserved for coffee, join us this Sunday, August 23, at 9 am at Horse & Jockey (1155 Pasadena Ave S). We’ll be watching matches all over the region this year. And if you’re up for a drive, club representatives are actually flying down from Sussex this weekend to host a watch party in Kissimmee, as the nearby city happens to be an official kit sponsor of the club. Matches are played on weekends, mostly on Saturday and Sunday mornings, which A) is great for scheduling purposes, and B) makes having European football on weekdays in the Conference League all the more exciting.
Look for the crew in blue and white stripes. All Guys and Gulls welcomed.
Seagulls by the Bay at a World Cup watch party at Al Lang, left, and a Brighton match watch party at Horse & Jockey, right