Brighton fans disappointed as European adventure ends

Brighton & Hove Albion supporters have shared their disappointment after the club’s first European journey came to an end.

The Seagulls lost 4-1 on aggregate to AS Roma in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday night.

Michelle Benny, who has been supporting Albion for 62 years, said the club deserved their time in the spotlight, 27 years after being on the brink of extinction.

Fellow supporter Siobhan Jenkins said: “This journey has provided some of the best moments in the club’s history, so I couldn’t ask for more.”

Albion were thumped 4-0 in Italy last week, before a 1-0 win at the Amex.

It was the first time the club had played in Europe in its 122-year history.

Mel Hempelman, who attends Albion matches with her friend Anita Yardley, said supporters should be taking the positives from both the match and the experience.

“We just beat Roma at home. Does it get any better? Not for a Brighton fan it doesn’t,” she said.

“We’re Brighton & Hove Albion and we’ve been in Europe. It’s just amazing.”

Martin Cooper, who has been to all of Albion’s home and away matches in Europe this season, said while the “adventure” was over, it could have had a different ending.

“We were utterly dominant, and on another day, we could have got five or six annoyingly,” he said.

Police marched Roma supporters to the ground from the city's railway station.

Albion said coaches were not available for the match.

Before the reverse fixture, two Albion supporters were stabbed.

UEFA said it has also launched an investigation after objects were thrown into the away end in the Italian capital.

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