As an Albion fan I am pleased to see the photos but I to would like to see and hear more about its past. As a child, I can remember going to watch my brothers in athletics events and myself going to a cub sports day in 1966. It sticks in my mind because the World Cup was on. Did there use to be a curved stand to the east? I also remember going to watch American football there in the 80s or 90s when there were substantial crowds, and of course the fireworks on bonfire night.

Hi Neil. Yes there was a very large curved stand at the east end of the track/complex, adjacent to Withdean Road. It was a 1930's design of concrete, with a very drab look if I recall. I think the changing rooms were underneath. We had our school (Cottesmore St Mary's) sports day there every summer, which was fun as we were allowed to walk there from school after lunch. The walk back home to Hangleton was not so much fun. After a busy day and athletics, the thought of the walk up the very steep Tongdean Lane was horrible, but we just did it. I have some photos and programmes of CVA athletics day from the 1960s. I'll try and dig them out and post them on the site, they might be of interest.

I remember Withdean as an athletics track, our school sports day (Dorothy Stringer) was held there during the 70's. Anyone remember the cinder track, you knew it if you fell over on that.

Withdean Stadium sure has changed. I'm not totally sure on the dates, but I lived in the flat above the Sportsman pub from 1984/85 to 1992. My dad, Peter Colburn, was the manager during this time, which is why we lived there. I have various memories of my time living there. They range from the American football team that played, who I think were the B-52s. Les Pillbeam (sp?) used to sort the pitch out, the various markings and also attach the beefy pads that went on the bottom of the field goal posts. Incidentally, I was sometimes able to jump in the little buggy either Les or my dad used to drive transporting various things here and there. It was a little green four-wheeler with no doors. I'm laughing now as I think about it. Near the road they used to have a long stand that was condemned due to being unsafe. I was able to walk underneath the stand so that I could go and get my bike out of one of the numerous storage cupboards. There was the great storm of 1987 and, even though I was very nearly 3, I distinctly remember being in the back bedroom with my sisters and parents with only candles placed in glasses lighting up the place. Several times the glasses shattered or cracked. Freaky. Also the numerous trees uprooting too in the wooded area that now lies behind the open stand. I remember the finest firework night I have ever witnessed, even though I may be a little biased. Basically it was War of the Worlds, and there were two vehicles (I think they were a tank and one of those two or three legged walkers) fighting each other, launching fireworks at each other until one of them blew up. My dad had to use his own cassette tape of War of the Worlds and play it over the loud speakers. There is one more thing my dad mentioned to me several times in the recent years, and I'll have to take his word for it as I can't remember, but apparently he used to organise some gathering of the old style Minis or Beetles in the stadium car park. I may be getting my cars and facts messed up here. I don't suppose anyone remembers this? Unfortunately I don't think we have any photos of anything I've mentioned here, although it's never really cropped up in conversation. I can always ask.

Hi Peter - how bizzare! I used to go to Cottesmore, live in Hangleton and my father used to work for CVA (later Kearney & Trecker). Pity that there is very little about the place on this site.