The first club we meet in our "League One - An Introduction" is
Brighton & Hove Albion
Withdean Stadium
Tongdean Lane
Brighton
BN1 5JD
www.seagulls.co.uk
2008/2009 Season
Towards the latter stages of last season, relegation was looming. But come judgement day they finished three points above relegated Northampton (who had a vastly superior goal difference) and five places better off, thanks to a five match run which had seen them win four and draw one.
|
HOME |
AWAY |
|
|
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
|
6 |
6 |
11 |
32 |
40 |
7 |
7 |
9 |
23 |
30 |
52 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leading Scorer
This successful run was very much due to the scoring prowess of two former Bees, Nicky Forster and loanee Lloyd Owusu. Forster completed the season as The Seagulls leading scorer with 16 goals (L12, C4) including the only goal in the final significant victory over fellow strugglers Stockport County, whilst Owusu scored seven goals in his 14 match loan spell from Cheltenham Town including five in those final five games.
Manager
The Seagulls had three Managers during the course of last season. Former Brentford boss, Micky Adams had been appointed in May 2008 and was at the helm until a run of just two victories in eighteen games saw him axed with Dean White taking over as Caretaker. Within two weeks former Yeovil Town boss Russell Slade was appointed Manager and he steered the club narrowly to safety.
Last League Meeting
Our meetings next season will be our first since the 2006/07 season in League One. We remained unbeaten in both matches winning 1-0 at home (att:7,023) with Jo Kuffour scoring and drawing 2-2 away (att: 6,745), Kevin O`Connor and Chris Moore were on the scoresheet .
Our overall record is as follows:
|
HOME |
AWAY |
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
|
52 |
15 |
3 |
8 |
59 |
39 |
5 |
5 |
16 |
29 |
53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Highlights
Probably one of the most memorable matches was back in October 2003 when in front of the TV cameras two penalties from Stephen Hunt and one goal apiece from Jay Tabb and Ben May secured an emphatic 4-0 victory. Brighton achieved promotion that season via the Play Offs.
Older supporters may remember the concluding stages of the 1957/58 season when Brighton just pipped Brentford to the Third Division (South) title. The Bees having beaten their main contenders Brighton 1-0 in front of over 25,000 fans in their final game of the season had to await the result of The Seagulls final game at home to Watford. They duly won 6-0 to clinch the title, a match which three years later was the subject of a Daily Mail expose in which it confirmed that the Watford team accepted an inducement to let Brighton win!
Ground
Brighton played at The Goldstone Ground until 1997. Then for two years they shared Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium before moving to the Withdean Stadium. This is a temporary home until their new ground in Falmer is due to be completed, currently expected for 2012. Plans regarding the proposed stadium were confirmed earlier this month when new club Chairman Tony Bloom announced that the total cost of the stadium would be £93m.
Withdean with a capacity of 8,850 is a council owned stadium and is primarily used for athletics thus the stands are a long way from the action, particularly so for away fans who are housed in a temporary stand behind one of the goals.
Parking is also a problem in the vicinity and match tickets include a public transportation voucher allowing free bus or rail travel throughout the area.
Attendances
Their average League attendance last season was 6,092 with a high of 8,618 against Stockport County in their final game of the season and a low of 5,035 against Southend United in March.
Mileage
Brighton, 75 miles from Brentford, is the equal eighth shortest journey for Bees fans this season, pretty much equidistant with Colchester, Southampton and Swindon.
The Supporters Association will be running coaches to every Brentford League away game this season. Reservations can be made at home matches or by calling 020 8941 0425.
BET365 Odds to win League One
Brighton are 13th favourites at 25/1.
