Brighton winger Solly March says Brighton with ‘no fear’

It is 34 years since Brighton contested a League fixture at Manchester United, a 1-1 draw in March 1983. Two months later, United beat Brighton 4-0 in the FA Cup final replay.

Times have changed, but Chris Hughton’s current side travel to Old Trafford on Saturday in buoyant mood.

According to Brighton winger Solly March, the reason they have risen to ninth in the Premier League in their first season back in the top flight is simple. They have no fear. The opportunity to play at an ‘iconic’ stadium like Old Trafford is one to seize.

Winger Solly March says the south coast side are playing with ‘no fear’ in the Premier League  

Seagulls wideman March has been in good form this season along with the rest of his team 

Seagulls wideman March has been in good form this season along with the rest of his team 

‘We’ve got nothing to lose,’ says the 23-year-old, born and raised in Eastbourne. ‘Let’s just go at Manchester United. Let’s try to get something from it. Why not? They’re not going to know what to expect. They probably don’t know much about us.

‘There is no point fearing anyone, it’s pointless. We’ve worked very hard, now let’s see what happens.

‘Old Trafford is probably the most iconic stadium. It is a massive club, the biggest in the world. Everyone is looking forward to it. Every player you look at there is a household name. It was a big step up from the Championship but everyone is enjoying it. We’re just trying to take it in our stride and impress people.’

It was March who scored the winner against Wigan Athletic that confirmed Brighton’s promotion to the Premier League last season. The left-footer then assisted Pascal Gross for their first top-flight goal since May 1983.

‘Two good goals,’ he says, smiling. ‘I’ll take that.’ Yet March could so easily have been playing 350 miles north in Newcastle instead of Brighton.

In 2011, when Alan Pardew was manager at St James’ Park, the youngster was invited for a trial. He passed out on his way to training.

March, a 23-year-old born and raised in Eastbourne explains: 'We've got nothing to lose' 

March, a 23-year-old born and raised in Eastbourne explains: ‘We’ve got nothing to lose’ 

March said he's extremely happy at Brighton because he is playing in the Premier League

March said he’s extremely happy at Brighton because he is playing in the Premier League

‘I don’t know what happened,’ continues March, who was with non-League Lewes at the time. I don’t know whether it was nerves. It was strange. I didn’t end up training, I came back down.’

That opportunity was missed and there was a subsequent offer from Millwall, but when Brighton came calling, March did not hesitate. His father, Steve, was an apprentice for the south coast club in the late 1980s.

March said: ‘It’s perfect. It was the right choice. At the moment, I’m happy at Brighton, playing in the Premier League, playing against the best sides in the world.

‘Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez are players who I look at and think, ‘That’s where I want to be’ — the top level. You’ve got to aim as high as you can. There’s no point aiming low because then you will only get low.’

March is ambitious and wants to play for England. He said:  'Play well and you never know.’

March is ambitious and wants to play for England. He said:  ‘Play well and you never know.’

Before becoming a footballer, March was a No 4 batsman for Hellingly Cricket Club in East Sussex.

At school, while also on the books of Crystal Palace and commuting to London four times a week for training, he played with future cricket professionals including West Indies batsman Shai Hope and Luke Wells of Sussex.

‘I was half-decent,’ says March. ‘But I always wanted to make it as a footballer. I wasn’t good enough as a cricketer. I enjoyed it more than anything. I went to Australia for the 2006-07 Ashes.

‘I was at the Boxing Day match at the MCG. We lost the series 5-0 but it was a good experience. It’s a different sort of atmosphere to football.’

March celebrates scoring his side's first goal in the south coast derby against Bournemouth

March celebrates scoring his side’s first goal in the south coast derby against Bournemouth

March will try to stay up to watch some of the current Ashes series, but only if the training schedule fits in.

The winger also harbours hopes of a senior England call-up one day, having scored for the Under 21s in a 4-0 win over Denmark last March. Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored twice that day too, and Joe Gomez and Tammy Abraham also appeared.

All three were in Gareth Southgate’s senior England side who drew 0-0 with Brazil recently. ‘It shows that, especially with Gareth as manager now, there is a pathway to the England first team if you’re playing well,’ March says. ‘It is a motivation, really, 100 per cent motivation.

‘You want to play for England. That is the ultimate aim as an English footballer. You want to play. You’ve got to work towards it. Play well and you never know.

March and his team-mates will visit Old Trafford in a buoyant mood with Brighton in ninth place

March and his team-mates will visit Old Trafford in a buoyant mood with Brighton in ninth place

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