It must have been time for Bristol City to win a play-off final. Surely? From simple probability, it would have be reasonable to think this would be their year. Perhaps.

Yesterday was a truly memorable day in the history of Brighton & Hove Albion. After a somewhat less than memorable league campaign, Albion's season will be remembered from the 120th minute in the play-off semi-final second leg at home to Swindon to the day in Cardiff.

The competition at half time providing a chance for a young fan from each team to win a cash prize by spurring on their own set of fans summed up the whole day for me. Perhaps the fact the Bristol City fan was about 7 or 8 and did not have much notice of what he had to do was a disadvantage as he ran towards the red and white end of the stadium. He was met with a luke warm reaction from the City fans that was representative of their attitude towards the whole day. In stark contrast, the Albion fan, a girl in her
teens, had perhaps a slight advantage of having a minute or two to plan her effort. Her response was a sparkling display of enthusiasm and ability of some spectacular gymnastic moves that brought a deafening response from the Albion masses.

In reality, the outcome of this competition was a reflection upon the whole day. The blue and white masses were there to enjoy the day - stick together and get behind anything related to the Albion with all their might and voice. As the teams returned for the second half the girl went back to her Albion seat £50 to the better.

The first half passed with Leon Knight's free kick being the main notable chance in a match that lived up to the expectation of being a tight affair. City looked the brighter side for the first twenty minutes of the second half, though still lacked the ability to present any real challenge to Ben Roberts' goal. As the Albion fans continued their fervent support, subs Kerry Mayo and Michel Kuipers encouraged the support to another level.

Within minutes, Chris Iwelumo gatecrashed his way into the City penalty area only to be fouled. Penalty. Leon Knight's record from twelve yards has been excellent but there were many who could not bear to watch. As the ball flew into the net past Philips, the City keeper, the sea of blue and white set a new stadium decibel level.

What is clear from the Albion is that everyone appreciates and values each other's contribution. The players, the fans, the manager and the chairman. Days like these are wonderful demonstrations of teamwork.

As the Albion fans were celebrating the moment of winning, the City fans filed out of the stadium and were already planning for next season by dropping into the local hostelries and booking rooms for this time next year.

Next season will be an opportunity for re-acquaintance. For Mark McGhee, he'll be returning to his former clubs of Wolves, Leicester, Reading and Millwall. Albion fans will have the chance to welcome ex-managers Micky Adams and Steve Coppell though will have to wait a season for the anticipated return to Selhurst Park.

The need and reasons for a new stadium at Falmer are well documented, but the fact that only a fifth of the number of the Albion supporters who travelled to Cardiff will be able to attend Withdean matches next season in the second highest division in the country is the sad reality. A reality that can and should be changed by John Prescott.