Japan tour ends near 50 year wait for Albion supporter to see team play

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Kazuo 'Charlie' Sobajima had last seen Albion play in the 1970s.

2024-07-31T16:00+01:00

Paul Barber and Kazuo 'Charlie' Sobajima.

Our pre-season trip to Japan saw an Albion supporter’s dream come true, as he got to watch us live for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Kazuo ‘Charlie’ Sobajima lived in Brighton for five years from 1973, attending all of our home matches and getting to away games when he could.

He returned to Japan after that and it was only in more recent times that he was able to watch the team on TV and online.

“Thanks to this Japan tour, I was finally able to watch Albion live for the first time in 47 years, instead of just seeing it on TV,” Kazuo said. “I never dreamed that a day would come when I could watch an Albion match in Japan.

“I don't remember seeing a single Japanese person in and around the Goldstone Ground during those five years I was there. When I heard 25,000 Japanese supporters chanting ’Seagulls, Seagulls,’ at the National Stadium, it was such an emotional moment for me that made me cry.

“These past two weeks have been like a dream for me.”

The 71-year-old wrote in to tell his tale, as well as tell us how pleased he was to get the opportunity to meet chief executive Paul Barber at one of our events in Tokyo (pictured above).

He is now dreaming of a return to Brighton, to watch Albion at the Amex for the first time.

We look forward to welcoming you one day, Charlie.