From near oblivion to Europe – Brighton celebrate 125th anniversary
From near oblivion to Europe – Brighton celebrate 125th anniversary. From obscurity and near oblivion to Premier League and Europe – Brighton celebrate their 125th anniversary.
What happened
Ask Paul Samrah for his single most memorable moment as a Brighton fan and a very different answer comes back, which goes to the heart of why, as they celebrate their 125th birthday around the visit of Arsenal, the Seagulls are almost unique among English clubs. "As for Bloom himself, he has reflected on Brighton's 125th birthday in the programme for the Arsenal game. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Brighton's players paid for tickets, a T-shirt and scarf for the fans who went to their Uefa Conference League play-off with Tromso in AugustBySimon StoneChief football news reporterPublished3 hours agoIt is Thursday, 9 November, 2023.
Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi is addressing his players in the Amsterdam Arena before their Europa League tie with Ajax. "There's 3,000 Brighton fans in this stadium tonight," said the Italian. "A long-standing senior Brighton official was in the dressing room that day. "The royalty of European football," says the official.
The wider picture
It was the high point of the first European campaign in the club's history. "The two stories highlight the before and after reality of Brighton & Hove Albion. Image source, Brighton and Hove AlbionImage caption, Two Brighton supporters at the final game at the Goldstone Ground in April 1997Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Brighton fans run onto the pitch after the final match at the Goldstone Ground in April 1997Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Brighton spent 12 years playing at the Withdean Stadium from 1999Formed in 1901, Brighton were a Southern League club for almost two decades before they were voted into the Football League.
It was the moment when Gordon Smith, clear on goal with a chance to earn Brighton their first major trophy, saw his shot saved by Manchester United goalkeeper Gary Bailey. But in 1995, chairman Bill Archer sold Brighton's Goldstone Ground, their home since 1902, because of escalating debts that there was no obvious way of paying. Brighton did not leave until 1997, although their final season at the Goldstone was only confirmed by the property company who owned the stadium, after the final game of the 1995-96 campaign, which had to be abandoned as thousands of furious fans spilled on to the pitch to demonstrate against the ownership.
After two seasons playing 70 miles away at Gillingham, and with the idea of a new stadium in the Toad's Hole Valley area of Brighton a non-starter, the club returned to the city in 1999 and started playing at Withdean Stadium, most famous for being the home athletics track of Olympic middle distance gold medallist Steve Ovett. Brighton had more than 7,000 fans in Amsterdam that night.
What has been reported
The modern Brighton really is a totally different club to the one that existed before. "There are some notable figures in the Brighton story. Former Football Association executive director David Davies got involved, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott overturned a rejected planning application for Brighton's current stadium in Falmer. Without that trio, and many more, it is quite possible Brighton would not exist. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Brighton fans in the Amsterdam Arena in November 2023Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The investment of Brighton chairman Tony Bloom is credited with driving the club into the Premier LeagueThe contemporary Brighton are different.
They began their second European campaign in the Norwegian city of Tromso last month, knowing the Conference League offers the chance of that elusive first trophy. The new Brighton just beat Manchester United at Old Trafford for the fifth time in six visits. The contemporary Brighton exist the way they do largely because of the vision and investment of Tony Bloom.
What happens next
Last season, Brighton's average attendance was more than 31,000. In their 125-year history, Brighton have never had it so good. "Anyone walking into Brighton today compared to even 15 years ago would not think it was the same football club," sporting director Mike Cave told BBC Sport. "Through good times and bad, Brighton & Hove Albion has provided so many of us with some of the most memorable moments of our lives. This anniversary belongs as much to those supporters as anyone.
"Whether they beat Arsenal or not, Brighton stands tall, for those who fought to preserve something they felt was special, and a man who had a vision – and finance – to build something better. Image source, Brighton and Hove AlbionImage caption, Brighton chairman Tony BloomFollow Brighton & Hove Albion on BBC SoundsPre-match, post-match and topical Albion content Listen on SoundsSubscribe and listen for everything you love about the SeagullsRelated topicsFootballPremier LeagueBrighton & Hove AlbionMore on this storyLatest Brighton news, analysis and fan viewsAsk about Brighton – what do you want to know?
The report has been compiled by Press Orb using information reported across bbc.co.uk, theguardian.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.