BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Originally, the big team in the local area was Brighton United, but when they disbanded in 1900, out came Brighton and Hove Albion. The club began their playing days at Withdean and (I think) one year after moving into the County Ground, moved on to the Goldstone Ground (first known as Goldstone Bottom - shades of things to come) in 1902. There have historically been big crowds at the Goldstone, indeed, before football was played there, Druids flocked to worship at a stone on the site and later by historians attracted by an archaeological dig (and boy, don't you just dig archaeology !!) .
Through the years, the club has been known by various nicknames - "Albion", "Shrimps", "Lugworms", "Limpets", "Flounders", Promenaders" and most recently "The Seagulls."

Brighton became a founder member of the 3rd Division in 1920, when they entered the League and they were so proud of this honour that they stayed there until 1958, when they were promoted. The club hit the headlines in 1973, when Peter Taylor and Brian Clough came to manage the side and during their stay, they presided over the ignominious FA Cup exit at the hands of Walton & Hersham and little else. After another 20 years moving up and down the lower leagues, they made it to the old First Division by finishing in the top three in Div. 2 with Southampton and Spurs. Their stay lasted four seasons and they only missed out on a return, when Notts. County beat them in the 1991 play-off final.

The season the club were relegated from Division One, they reached the FA Cup final where they met Manchester United. Under the leadership of white-disco shoed Jimmy Melia, the side were underdogs to the Red Devils, but arrived in style for the final having travelled to the match by helicopter. The game itself was a nail-biter and Brighton almost pulled off an amazing win, with the now infamous "And Smith Must Score" quote going down in history as Gordon Smith failed to beat Gary Bailey in the dying minutes of extra-time. The South Coast side's hopes also died there and then, as, despite having their inspirational captain, Steve Foster, back after missing the first game through suspension, United ran out 4-0 winners in the replay.

Major honours have tended to pass Brighton by, but they did win the Charity Shield in 1910, 3rd Division (South) in 1958 and the Fourth Division in 1965. Recently their biggest achievement has been struggling to survive against a board who have been more interested in selling the soul of the club, than keeping it alive. The constant battle against relegation to the Conference came to a head in the final game of the 1996-7 season when they gained a point from their final game at Hereford United, to send the Bulls down in their place. The place where the ground used to be has been replaced by a DIY superstore (that was one hell of a DIY project!!) and the team are currently playing their home games at Gillingham. The club's return to Withdean in 1999 was a great success and the fans are happy to be back in their home town, albeit laying in an athletics stadium with only two stands along the sides of the pitch.

Other notoriety has come via shirt sponsors "NOBO" and by the Tesco carrier bag style shirt the advertising was attached to.

Under young manager Micky Adams, Brighton prospered in season 2000-2001 and helped by Bobby Zamora's goals, they swept to the Third Division Championship, leading to renewed hope that with a side on the up and with a new stadium in the planning, they could be going places. Seven years on, they were still stuck at the Withdean athletics track and are still waiting their move to their new ground as they try to get out of League One in the right direction.

However, a move to Falmer coincided with a promotion to the Championship and under the management of Gus Poyet, things all looked rosy at the Amex, only losing narrowly to Crystal Palace in the play-off semi-final. That was until a falling out with the board and then his successor, Garcia left after a year and then Sami Hyppia took over, but his reign saw him struggle to keep the Seagulls above relegation water. It was left to Chris Hughton to take Brighton into the Premier League for the first time and give the Seagulls a taste of the big time (rather than some stolen chips).

FAMOUS PLAYERS : - Steve Foster, Mark Lawrenson, Andy Ritchie, Howard Wilkinson, E.S. Breezy, Gary Stevens, Ernie Wilson, Peter Ward, Tommy Cook, Ernest "Barney" Barnacle, Perry Digweed.

FAMOUS FANS : - Des Lynam (TV Sports Presenter), Norman Cook (a.k.a. Fat Boy Slim - Musician & DJ), Jamie Theakston (TV Presenter)

Formed	1901
Turned Professional	1901
Became a Limited Company	1904
Previous names	- Brighton & Hove Rangers
Previous grounds	- Withdean 1900-1901 - County Ground 1901-1902 - Goldstone Ground 1902-1997
Nickname	"The SEAGULLS"
Club Colours	HOME : Shirts - Blue and white stripes Shorts - White Socks - Blue AWAY : Shirts - Red and black stripes Shorts - Black Socks - Black
Record Football League Win	9-1 .v. Newport County 18.04.1951 Division 3 (South)
Record Football League Defeat	0-9 .v. Middlesbrough Division 2 23.8.1958
Record Cup Win	10-1 .v. Wisbech FA Cup R1 13.11.1965
Record Fee Paid	£13,500,000 to Club Brugge (Belgium) for Jose IZQUIREDO (16th August 2017)
Record Fee Received	£900,000 from Liverpool for Mark LAWRENSON (August 1981)
Record Football League Appearances	509 - "Tug" WILSON (1922- 1936)
Record all-time goalscorer	114 - Tommy COOK (1922-29)
Record goalscorer in a League season	32 - Peter WARD Division 3 1976-77
Most goals in a match	5 - Jack DORAN v Northampton Town Division 3 (South) 5.11.1921 5 - Adrian THORNE v Watford Division 3 (South) 30.4.1958
Record Home Attendance (all-time)	36,747 .v. Fulham 27.12.1958 Division 2
Record match receipts	£109,615.65 v Crawley Town FAC R3 4.1.1992
Record total of goals in a League season	112 - Division 3 (South) 1955-56
Record League points total	2 pts for a win : 65 Division 3 (South) 1955-56 and Division 3 1971-72 3 pts for a win : 84 Division 3 1987-88
Most Capped player while at club	Steve PENNEY 17 (Northern Ireland)

Address : Withdean Stadium, Tongdean Lane, Brighton BN1 5JD
Club Offices : Fifth Floor, Hanover House,, 118 Queens Road, Brighton BN1 3XG
Telephone : 01273 778855
(Box Office)
(Credit Card Bookings)
09068 800 609 (News)
Fax : 01273 321 855