About The North Stand Lawyer
General about Me
My name is Aaron Steel. I am a passionate Brighton and Hove Albion fan. My day job is working as a Defence Lawyer in the Police Station. I also have worked as a freelance actor and have published one book available on Amazon.
I went to school in Sussex. I finished my Law Degree at the University of Sussex...and now practice law in sussex!
Where my Passion for Brighton Comes From
I attended my first Brighton game 12 years ago. It was a 0-0 draw against Huddersfield. Pretty uneventful, I still have the program.
When I was at Secondary school I had a friend who had a season ticket at Brighton and was very passionate. He was always asking people to come along with to games. People would reject, so I asked him if it would be possible for me to come along.
We attended the game together, and that was where my love began!
I remember the day clearly, it was raining, pretty cloudy and cold! We got the train from Haywards Heath. I went to KFC beforehand and had a 6 piece bargain bucket, which I didn't finish...
Afterwards, we made our way to the Amex. We took the train from Brighton to Falmer. I was very excited. I remember fans chanting on the train there. We got off the train and we walked along the train bridge. Almost immediately, I was faced with the marvel that is the AMEX Stadium. The iconic blue and white and the badge gleaming as you walk towards it. There was a real sense of excitement in the air. I was very excited to be here.
We made our way to the East Stand. I sat in my seat and remember being blown away by the size of the stadium.
Kick off started and as I said above it finished 0-0.
But the score wasn't important. I remember sitting in my seat in the East Stand and looking at the North Stand. The chanting was continuous throughout the whole game. The passion was glowing. It was at that moment I fell in love with the Albion, and I knew the North Stand was where I was destined to be!
After that my friend and I would regularly get tickets to stand in the North Stand.
Promotion and Getting my season ticket
I had regularly attended games as and when I could. However, unfortunately I did not have enough money to commit to a full season ticket.
This changed in 2016 when I got secured part time employment at Greggs. I was 17. At that age, it is arguable to say that a teenagers priority would be to get there driving license!
Mine was to get my Brighton Season ticket...
As my employment started mid-way through the season I had to wait until the following season to get my season ticket. This season as you may remember was our promotion season. At the time I was completing my foundation year at the University of Sussex.
This year was amazing. Not only had I enrolled to start studying Law at Sussex, Brighton had secured their place in the premier league.
And yes, I WAS on the pitch following securing our promotion against Wigan.
Our First Season in the Premier League
My first full season in the North Stand was our 2016/17 season. There was a seat on its own central to the North Stand. I was quite nervous as I was attending by myself.
When I arrived, I was welcomed to the family. I was made to feel very comfortable. The first game was against Man City. Despite losing it was a fantastic feeling. I was chanting so much I lost my voice (Something I would regularly do when I was younger).
The Atmosphere was amazing. We were waving the flags singing to Sussex by the Sea. The passion continued throughout the entire season.
Two highlights I remember from that season was our 2-1 win against Arsenal at home. I could count the number of breaths I took on one hand waiting for the final whistle to blow against Arsenal.
More importantly our win against Manchester United. I was in the North Stand when Pascal Gross scored. Thanks to the assistance of Goal line technology as the ball was 8 CM over the line. A tiny margin but guaranteed our survival for another season in the Premier League.
Subsequent Seasons and our European Campaign
Every season we were getting better and better. Unfortunately we said goodbye to Chris Hughton, who will always be a Brighton Legend (and a Sussex Honorary doctorate holder). Potter followed and laid the foundations for De Zerbi who guaranteed our first European campaign.
Qualifying for Europe was amazing. I remember watching the draw excited to see which team we would draw.
Alongside the home games I was able to attend two European Away games being Marseille and Athens.
It was amazing to see Brighton play in Europe. Considering our history especially being on the brink of collapse in 1997 to playing on one of the biggest competitions in Europe.
We didn't win the competition but I was so proud to see my local team competing on the European stage.
Present Day
I am still regularly attending Brighton Home games and also away games when I have time off. You may see me with my flag in the North Stand with "Its Ferdi TIme" on it. The story is that I am half English and Turkish. I always said when Brighton sign a Turkish player I would make a flag.
Usually I am in a suit as work never ceases!
We are now under the guidance of Fabian Hürzeler. He has had a fantastic debut season. I am looking forward to seeing what will materialise at the end of the season.