Sim

Season ticket holder - @officialbhafc
Scout Leader - @UkScouting

Usually in a good mood. Views expressed here are occasionally my own, but never anyone else's.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@ryanadsett As I get older, I find I don't really care about Palace. The last few matches between us have been really poor (both on the pitch and the atmosphere), and since Zaha left I don't even despise any of their players.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@robin35311 @ethan_saggers_ It's the email survey that came out this week for season ticket holders and members.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@LNER @wmtYLY35mSbnEDd Hi. Been stuck on the 18:39 KGX - LDS for 90 mins now. If trains are being cancelled, will you be able to get us to our destination? Thanks!

[Sim @seagullsim]

Yep - @CountingCrows announcing UK dates for 2026, and it's just Bristol and Southampton. Do bands not realise there's a North?

[big biscuit @haylsucks]

if one more band announces a “UK tour” and it’s a single date in london i’m going to blow my shit smooth off

[Sim @seagullsim]

@BennettsField Agree. He'd waste his career moving there - Drinkwater, Dewsbury-Hall etc should be warnings, not examples.

[Sim @seagullsim]

A UK tour just playing Bristol and Southampton is madness. I love Counting Crows, but I can't justify a 9 hour round trip for a gig.

[Counting Crows @CountingCrows]

Bristol and Southampton, we are also coming your way this Summer! General on sale is this Friday 27 February at 10am GMT. https://t.co/GTBjBhmCVI

[Sim @seagullsim]

@Brightonian_ I hope Lewis ends his career with us, and that he gets the testimonial he deserves. However, it's only fair we should accept the offer, and let him decide how he wants to see out the next few years. Would be gutted to see him go though #bhafc

[Sim @seagullsim]

@Brightonian_ He did. He didn't come over and applaud in front of the fans like Jack, Mitoma etc, but he did clap them as he was walking to the tunnel. Unlike Babis, who stormed off down the tunnel and wouldn't come over, even when Georgi tried to make him.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@SeagullSimon It's interesting that some of the more prominent #bhafc accounts seem to be trying to force an agenda. People I speak to at both home and away games are much more positive in their outlook.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@SeagullSimon @AndrewJames1901 I think Ferdi has been exceptional this season. Him, Bart and JP have all really shone so far, with Ayari not too far behind.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@colincurryer @BrettMendoza_ I think the twitter fans tend to be more reactionary - certainly the ones I speak to at games are more positive. I'll always back the manager whilst he's in role - he got the subs wrong yesterday, but in other games he's won them due to his management.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@ryanadsett @wearebrighton Wieffer was great when he came on today. Would love to see him in the middle though

[Sim @seagullsim]

Huge thanks to @SusanWr38555367 for my @ChristmasBkSwap present. Another new author - can't wait to read it!

[Sim @seagullsim]

@OfficialBHAHelp Just emailed - am getting error messages when we try and download.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@WeleSzn Thought Carlos had his best game in ages tonight. Definitely a positive.

[Sim @seagullsim]

Agree. Same with detective novels .

[Anon Opin. @anon_opin]

Fantasy authors need to get into the habit of writing standalone novels. Sometimes I want to try something new but picking up book 1 of 13 is just too much.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@BrettMendoza_ I quite enjoyed the Elvis song. No idea why they played it though.

[Sim @seagullsim]

@YorkshireBook48 This one is my current - really enjoying it. Certainly an emotional read.

[Sim @seagullsim]

Wherever he is, I hope Russell Lockwood is having a terrible day. #lufc #bhafc

[Stan Collymore @StanCollymore]

Suicide.

I'm choosing to be deliberately blunt and provocative in this post because it's necessary. Government, charities, football clubs are all pushing water up a hill in highlighting what is undoubtedly a major health crisis.

You take a rope.
You put it up in a garage or a tree nearby or far away.
You're thinking about every loved one you'll leave behind as you put that rope around your neck.
Then you drop.

Some are decapitated.
Some aren't.
All are found by someone who has a lifetime of trauma that will never leave them.
A son.
A daughter.
A brother.
A sister.
A mother.
A father.

I know 2 men who hung themselves.

One was found by his Mom.
One was found by his brother.
Neither have recovered fully. 20 and 30 years on.

A life sentence for people who were already worrying, terrified their loved one may do something.

So just visualise the above and ask, "is there another way"?

A segway for a moment.

I do a few Q&A's every year. Tales of yesterday with a 99% male audience of my age group.

After the stories and fun, my last question back to the audience is..

"Hands up if you struggle with a mental health issue".

Nobody ever puts a hand up. Despite 1 in every 3 of 500 attendees statistically struggling.

"Ah, nobody, that's fucking brilliant! Well I do! ". I then graphically tell people, stunned into silence about how a rope around my neck in the middle of nowhere jolted me to go home and cry like a baby to my Mom.

After the Q&A has finished, something always happens. I'll be chatting to a few guys, saying bye and one by one, men will come over and whisper " I struggle".

Or my mailbox the next day will have 30 emails from guys, their partners or kids saying " Dad/Uncle /Brother was there last night and what you said hit them hard".

And that's how some people realise that it's time to speak to a pal or family member or even rant to me in an email. It works, I often get a follow up email a year or 6 later saying that they took responsibility for their suicidal feelings and are now flying.

Humans are programmed to want to live, to have families and to keep the species growing and thriving. So for a human to want to short circuit that desire isn't normal, and it should never be spoken of as normal. It's the ultimate red flag.

If you suspect your mate, Dad, Brother, Uncle is struggling mentally, they deserve your intervention.

They deserve a " are you OK, please tell me what's up".

They deserve an opportunity to get past wanting to hang a rope over a tree or in a garage and slowly struggle until they die and you find them.

If you've been there and trust me I have plenty, then you'll know that text out of the blue, or a footie mate or one of your kids asking jow you are can open the curtains to some sunshine.

Because when suicide is your only answer, the room is already dark, and you can't see a way out.

So please, fucking pretty please, ask that husband, Dad, Uncle, Cousin, footie pal TODAY how they are.

You may be shocked what comes back but extremely glad that you asked.

For those who struggle, you're not alone.