Brighton News

As many fans will no doubt know, finding a one-stop-shop for Brighton & Hove Albion can prove to be difficult, as major outlets largely focus on other Premier League teams.

Therefore, we have created the number one destination for ALL things Albion, providing you with all of the latest updates, headlines, gossip columns and loads of other exclusive features.

Brighton History

Founded over a pint in the Seven Stars pub on Ship Street in 1901, Brighton & Hove United was forced to change its suffix almost immediately before the first team even kicked a ball, after the objections of local rivals Hove FC, and rebranded to the name we are all familiar with today. From 1902 onwards, the old enemies shared the Goldstone Ground.

Mike Bamber bought the Seagulls in 1972 and famously brought legendary manager Brian Clough to the South Coast in 1973. The former chairman later appointed ex-England international Neil Mullery to manage the squad, and, after years of ambiguity, Brighton gained promotion to the First Division.

After a few rollercoaster years, including relegation to Division Three, the club’s finances were in dire straits. Lifelong fan Dick Knight eventually took charge in 1997, and they narrowly escaped relegation from the Football League entirely. Albion spent twelve years at Withdean Stadium, following the sale and subsequent demolition of Goldstone, before joining the Championship and moving into the brand new Falmer Stadium.

Although Chris Hughton’s side initially fell short, they bounced back in the next season and finally returned to the top flight after an absence of over 30 years.

How many trophies have Brighton won?

19 years after their formation, Brighton picked up one of the major national trophies at the time, the FA Charity Shield, by beating Football League winners Aston Villa in the final. This remains the only notable honour to date, although the Gulls have also won the English third tier three times.
Whilst their campaign unravelled under Jimmy Melia, Albion beat the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester City, as well as famously beating Liverpool 2-1 at Merseyside, on the way to the FA Cup final in 1983, pulling off a 2-2 draw with Manchester United. Sadly, the Red Devils won the replay 4-0, but the team’s performance really struck a chord with supporters past and present.

Brighton Facts

Taking to the pitch in blue shirts and white shorts in the early days at Goldstone, the Seagulls have mostly tried to pay tribute to the popular seaside resort with the club’s kit over the years. However, there have been some attempts to add the odd dash of red into the strip. American Express are the current shirt sponsors, and the home ground is affectionately known as The Amex.

Who are Brighton’s rivals?

Despite the distance between the two sides, Crystal Palace are considered Brighton’s biggest rival.

Famous Brighton players

Former Rolls-Royce apprentice Peter Ward became one of the most famous players in the club’s history after moving to Sussex from non-league side Burton Albion. The Englishman broke the record for the most goals in a season during the 1976/77 campaign. He only ever played six minutes for the national team in a 2-1 win over Australia.

More recently, veterans like Glenn Murray, Bobby Zamora, Ashley Barnes and Leonardo Ulloa have all earned their stripes at Falmer.