Good Times Are Here Again

Lifelong Brighton fan, and broadcasting great Des Lynam, on the Seagulls’ top-flight success, and his part in helping them during tougher times.

Des Lynam watches his football as a rapt supporter these days. But he retains his insight, his instinct for succinct, eager analysis.

The clarity of thought and artful turn of phrase which made him this country’s most popular sports broadcaster for a quarter of a century, remain undimmed.

Lynam fronted televised football coverage in an era when terrestrial audiences for showpiece fixtures would peak between 25-30 million. He made it look effortless and when Lynam spoke, we listened.

He is equally compelling today, as he enthusiastically outlines the merits of Brighton & Hove Albion, the team who inadvertently gave him his career break – and whose fortunes he has lived and breathed for 65 years.

He was 10 years old when he was first taken to the old Goldstone Ground but he didn’t see the match, mind you.

“You’ve heard that story, have you?” he asks rhetorically, unhesitatingly launching into the tale of his ‘first date’ with his long-time footballing love. “My father wasn’t particularly interested in football but a neighbour was,” Lynam tells Everton’s matchday programme. “He used to go with his young daughters and took me along.

“We were standing behind the goal and during the warm-up one of the players smashed the ball and missed the goal. One of the girls wasn’t paying attention and it hit her flush in the face and knocked her out. And we were off to A&E.

“But even though I didn’t see the game I was hooked – the whole atmosphere just gripped me. I started going with my school friends and that was it.”