The South West Corner Rules, OK?
It’s not up to any of us to tell you what you should do in the corner. We’ve already all been taught what we can do there anyway. You know, it’s where you put the troublesome child and the famously cone-headed dunce. It is also said to be the best spot to trap a fierce animal or unwanted house pest. But before I go on to propose opening an open-all-hours convenience store on site, let’s dismiss these corner analogies as wide of the mark when applied to the SWC. However, as the SWC emerges as the top Seagulls supporting corner, the finest in club history, now is as good a time as any to set out some basic and highly informal ground rules. Only with the intention of helping established, occasional and new fans get fully behind the team and raise their own enjoyment levels at the same time. So below is not a list of rules, let’s be clear, but more a menu of suggestions showing you ways to interact in the SWC fashion. 1. Bring your sense of fun and occasion to the game. This is a lively corner. Be loud and proud or tolerant of those who are. You could always move to the East Stand if not. 2. Boss the away fans. Whose South Stand is it anyway? As the nearest block opposing the away contingent it is our duty not to let them get behind their team. We’ve got to drown them out to the extent we forget they are there. Ideally we should be the ones offering to sing a song for them. 3. We must respond to the North Stand’s calling card in a way that puts the other stands to shame. But it’s politer to respond with interest than to start the calling first. And yes, you are allowed to change it to “We’re the South Stand Brighton Girls”, according to my wife and daughter that is. 4. Corner kicks are our bread and butter in the SWC. And to help shape corner kicks through the air on the wings of seagulls why not chant ‘Seagulls’ whenever we have a home corner. Shouting out personal encouragement to our corner taker also helps him to whip in beauties I’m told. 5. Complain at away corners. Surely the lino was in error. Do we all have to point out that the ball is not in the corner arc? I guess we do (even if there’s only a slight whiff of a possibility it is outside). Put off the away corner taker with our secret weapon (below). 6. Yell ‘cheesecake’ whenever the visitors have any dead-ball situation that threatens our goal. Other confectionery also works. Easy as pie. 7. Away goal kicks. “You’re sh**t ahhh” may have lost some credibility over the years. But the crescendo build up to the kick, as with dodgy back passes, hoofs and obscure substitutes coming on for them are all good interactive moments. 8. Applaud the goal celebrations under our noses and for our benefit - looking out, mobile in hand while leaping up and down in euphoria, for newly choreographed moves to upload onto the SWC Facebook Forum for others not as privileged as us to see. 9. Revel in the flags and colour of the corner. Wait until we unveil our own special flag. Just you wait. 10. Have a laugh, make friends, sing up and don’t leave too early. Remember getting home much earlier doesn’t equate to one second of watching the Albion. Time to leave my seat early before anyone wants to have words. See you at the game tonight. Slyme Slymey
