Brighton & Hove Albion: a journey from nowhere to the Premier League

In April 1997 Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club were rendered homeless due to the sale of the Goldstone Ground. Further to that they were teetering on the brink of relegation from the Football League. Since then they have achieved an improbable rise to the Premier League via Gillingham and a repurposed athletics stadium. This is the story of a dedicated group of fans who saved them helped them prosper
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[@lebalo3z]

I may not be a fan, but they've got my support.

[@HardWater91]

Lee S Thanks man. SEAGULLS!

[@matthewworrall6582]

HardWater91 Hey man I'm a Wednesday supporter so I'm still a little sad, last year being so close! Anyways I don't really like a pl club besides Watford but I'll root for you all this season, I hope you guys are able to stay up!!!!

[@doctorninetytwo3300]

Matt, seems odd you saying that when you think who the first choice keeper is hah

[@wolfzee6753]

Lee S and look at us now 🤣

[@benholloway27]

HardWater91 Brighton are having an ok season hope they can stay up from a spurs fan :)

[@penaltygallery]

This is why English club football is the best in the world - Brighton, Bournemouth, Swansea all went from nearly going out of business to making the premier league... gives hope to those fans in the lower leagues that maybe oneday their club might do the same.

[@JayRicci7891]

What you say is true, but then theres the flip side, clubs like Portsmouth, Leeds, Blackpool, Nottingham Forest were all Premier League once. I know sometimes fans have to take the rough with the smooth, but there are so many clubs in England with owners who dont give a fuck, just want to run it into the ground, then take the money and run leaving a big mess behind them.

[@mrncsreviews7666]

Jack Tanner What about Crystal Palace? They have been in administration twice in the past twenty years and yet are in the Premier League now.

[@HarrisonJamess]

JayRicci7891 Leyton was once good now can't win in the conference , ispwich can't even contend for the efl

[@Nile15rush_fj]

Jack Tanner Crystal Palace too..they had it the worst I believe now they're an established pl club with an excellent squad

[@harveyatkinson9511]

JayRicci7891 Exactly what Clarke Osborne and Gaming International are trying to do to *Torquay* . I hope my club isn't destroyed by a non-caring owner.

[@udayaai]

2017: Brighton joins Premier League 2035: Brighton signs Messi Jnr 2036: Brighton Wins the double

[@smartzy502]

Anything is possible.

[@tarikhaustor7171]

Archie HW in wengers world . #wengerout

[@jeroenjanssen3941]

Arsene Wenger then messi jnr is a flop😏

[@myparentsaredisappointedin4806]

It's gonna be Stoke that sign Messi Jr, they only sign Barca rejects

[@udayaai]

atta boy

[@jamiemedhurst10]

This is why I love being a Brighton fan.

[@michaelharrison3602]

Does you boyfriend know

[@PradeepPurple]

Thats a good looking stadium for a former Championship side......hope they do well this season

[@Danny-vg1jz]

pradeep kanchan unbelievable stadium. Been in it twice for fat boy slim and Crawley vs Brighton. Will be buzzing In Brighton this year

[@damianfinneran5534]

What capacity does it hold?

[@Ethan-pm4zm]

utd 44 Around 30k :)

[@doctorninetytwo3300]

30750 to be precise

[@bhaunion6539]

@@Dachri1943 no one cares

[@Shoostep]

As a fan of Coventry City FC it's great to see Brighton have made there way back to the top. Hopefully we can follow someday too.

[@philippaine]

Brighton up your ambition!!!

[@DJMattHealey]

As a Hereford supporter i was there on 3rd May 1997. Good luck to them.

[@haterofallthatiscakelittle2386]

Matt Healey man I feel bad but one team had to win

[@sammaclintock8017]

You’ve got cracking support for where you are , hopefully we (Brighton) will play you again in a few years 👍🏻

[@Tom-vy3cb]

Makes me proud to be a Brighton fan

[@bradleygreen8902]

How does seemingly no one know who Brighton are? They've been very close in the last few seasons to getting promoted.. Also the Palace rivalry is mainly down to the fact they live in shitty Croydon and are jealous of a beautiful classy city like Brighton.

[@willrees1560]

Bradley Green Good one Bradley

[@litrellyalemrr7456]

😂

[@rxplayzyt5680]

I get the joke as a Brighton fan the real story is it started with two player playing at tottangham and being friends they both always wanted to be the best and needed up one going to Brighton one to palace :)

[@steveluckhurst2350]

classy Brighton? Your ground is next to Moulsecoomb!

[@AmityAddict1979]

It feels nice to see the club you've supported even in the bad times get recognition and be appreciated

[@TheUKNutter]

That is a really amazing story. Well done to Brighton!

[@gort1052]

I'm not a Brighton fan but I honestly want them to do good

[@rishabhagarwal4702]

My god. This is brings some tears to my eyes. I love this game and the English fans. Kudos from India.

[@pratt17648]

I've become a Brighton Fan! From Denver, Colorado. USA

[@icedtrae11]

w

[@alexchalcraft5640]

Watched with a tear in my eye, being a child of the 70's, I only visited the North and East stands in the Goldstone, would make the trip to Gillingham with the usual suspects, and was there for the first games at Withdean, subsequently I moved to the USA in 2005, so was never there for the AMEX inauguration, but have been. Thank you Atilla for your efforts over the years, being a Stanley Arms local in the day, I thank you for Glastonwick, and just being a strong, vocal supporter that got us out of that quagmire!

[@TerrierTom88]

Happy for Brighton fans. A great achievement after being through so much. Just like Huddersfield Town being on the brink in 03. It just shows that loyal & passionate fans, sensible ownership, a decent manager and hungry players that anything is possible.

[@sauravbhattacharjee6429]

The first thing I'd noticed before the city game earlier today was the magnificent stadium. Extremely impressive that, coming from a championship side. But ofcourse, the story is even better and very inspiring ☺ Glad to see the great Liam Brady involved in the club's history. Arsenal fan, but I'll always keep a watch on the Albion!

[@JustaRandomGuy890]

I’m a Brighton fan for a few years now, only been to the Amex once. I wanna visit England again so much just to see Brighton play there again

[@mattyslife4545]

Welcome to the Priemer League Brighton! Manchester United fan

[@gusmalta5043]

Thank u

[@Finn-wt7bu]

This fan would quickly regret that “welcome”. Only joking all the respect to Utd just a bit of fun

[@andrewrandrew2191]

This is what football is about; not Neymar

[@simplyspudley3293]

Andrew Randrew agree

[@variedgamer9498]

Stephen Dunsby or an entire team...

[@joaopedropeixoto8558]

What's Neymar got to do with anything? Actually, football is also about Neymar. He grew up in a poor family and did his best to achieve something that millions dream about around the world. Isn't that what football is about? Dreaming? How much he earns and how much PSG spent on him is none of his business. If you want to point fingers, then do it on those who turned football into a business. Point it at those who bought Chelsea, PSG, Manchester City and many, many more. Those are the ones to blame, not Neymar or any other player.

[@daviemyers8299]

João Pedro Peixoto you would make one hell of a salesman

[@CARLIN4737]

ABSOLUTELY

[@AdamSabir1]

I have HUGE respect for Brighton Hove & Albion. They are the most exciting underdog to watch this season and arguably last season as well. This season I believe they will get champions league football.

[@ryanmoss2207]

So proud to have been a die hard fan in the low times and now in the high. Cant wait for man city!

[@johnbeck92]

Very fitting after Saturday, UTA!

[@vannyko]

Really inspirational, shows the power of a Fan's dream and dedication. All the best to Brighton and Hove Albion FC this year.

[@daffaabieza1938]

pure respect mate. i hope leeds will comeback to prem again, just like your team.

[@englishworldawakener2073]

Brings me to tears, well done to the guys who did this, I was, am just a fan.

[@AlphaAlex1]

I'll be rooting for you Brighton & Hove Albion even as a Liverpool supporter all the way from Australia.

[@ImmortalTekkerss]

I hope for nothing but the best for Brighton in the premier league, good luck boys, from a Newcastle fan.

[@andrewsfix9200]

Good luck Brighton & Hove Albion in PL! Cheers from Canada

[@Surv1ve_Thrive]

🇬🇧❤️🇨🇦

[@HardWater91]

4 brilliant years in the Premier League since then including wins against Arsenal (3) Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United (2) and Tottenham Hotspur (2). The remarkable story continues! Hopefully push for top 10 next season, now that would be something.

[@nunnster446]

And in 8th place we are!

[@duckseatbread104]

Top to achieved. Beat spurs aresnal and united convincingly and in quick succession. Never would've dreamed that in the 90s

[@debajyotighosh1809]

All the best Brighton..Hope they'll gift us good game & create tougher moments to the big clubs...!!! Wishing you from India..Go ahead lads..!!!!

[@CARLIN4737]

brings tears to my eyes

[@trerod]

We have come a long way in a short time, well done to every body that got us here.

[@alexbarnes9364]

Have a great season Brighton all the best from Tottenham supporter.

[@paulmoore4223]

I'm a Leeds fan, hope you guys have a great season, you were great last year. Good luck!

[@liammclaughlin1612]

"It's like playing a preseason game in Norway" *laughs awkwardly*

[@Josuke217]

And now Brighton will be playing Europa next season. Great story

[@TrephineArtist]

What a great story, great fans, the stadium looks superb. Good luck in the PL this season Brighton (except against the Hammers!).

[@charlesthebrick5251]

TrephineArtist ⚒⚒

[@ajftbledit]

We ended up beating yas 3-1!

[@adityashrivastava8498]

Well done Brighton fans. Absolutely brilliant!! 👏👏👏👏👏. I hope you stay in the Premier league!!!!.

[@jackbuchanan9169]

This Brightoned up my day

[@burchieboy69]

lol

[@brightenyourdaywithbrighto9012]

I have been summoned.

[@BrightOranje]

That stadium and the surrounding area is quite lovely. I shall have to visit sometime.

[@qg1235]

I went to primary school with Dick Knight's grand son. One day they invited me to a game. Sat in his special seat area. Brighton 4-3 Carlisle. What a game. Even though I don't support Brighton, I hope they do very well this season.

[@sanjayaneupane136]

Respect Brighton from Man City

[@Thesp88]

I really wish the best for all you fans out there ! What a beautiful journey , cheers !!!

[@UnseenSpirit]

Cycled to Brighton from London once. I saw this stadiums from the Bill Hill. Nice to know it was this club

[@Alimthehotty219]

Beautiful history. Good luck Brighton.

[@johnnorth1961]

Well done Brighton, greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪👍

[@chardcunniffe9408]

What a ground the Goldstone was, Withdean was a great stop gap and The Amex is a beautiful stadium

[@Dilly-Winkus]

Excited to see them this year, but I hope they lose their first game vs City, but only because they're my team lol. I hope to see both Hove & Newcastle establish themselves in the Premier League for some years to come. 👍👍👍

[@Justin-wu7mp]

Respect from an Arsenal fan.

[@gusboyle6157]

I was born in West Sussex, so not far from Brighton, but I'm a Villa fan like the rest of my family. I've lived in Australia for 18 years so don't know much about the area I was born in but will be following Hove with plenty of interest this EPL season as they are one of the closest football league teams to where I first lived. Good luck to them, will be supporting them not as my 'number one' team but as a fan who has a massive 'soft spot' for them!

[@gusboyle6157]

And what a story too!

[@maxpoole3526]

I was a fan since league 1

[@sam24hardy]

James XD

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

Archer was a parasite. I was there through the dark times. So glad we made it through. Thanks to all the true fans & of course Dick Knight. Now we are successful we are getting 30,000 fans. Where were they in the real dark times & protests? O well, onwards & upwards.

[@bernardweston6392]

I wasn’t born

[@steveluckhurst2350]

plastic fans. Still, at least the shop is busy..

[@marcusjacques8858]

Brighton my whole life

[@kimvanhauwaert8429]

Came to see the game vs Burnley last month, (fc Bruges fan, we came to see Izquierdo and Ryan play), had a great time, will certainly return

[@molluskhead]

Well Done Guardian. It brought tears to my eyes.

[@romkoh]

Amazing!!! Well done to the fans and all who led the way....

[@fgenasis4127]

Im portuguise and have to say this video inspired me really beautifull video about a football club and his story!!!! They could make a movie about this team or about leicester winning the premier league

[@rextshark4017]

Now they need to remake this “from nowhere to Europa league!”

[@ProjectGamechannel]

Who was on the pitch against Wigan...?

[@lukerickards1734]

Project Game best day of my life

[@michaelwelch2654]

meeeee

[@burchieboy69]

meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee best day in my life period

[@rakoczi29]

terrific story, great determination, awesome outcome as well as hiring houghton; great choice ! rooting 4 yous from hungary !

[@sabinrai1115]

Brighton play fascinating and entertainment style , I'm started to attract to this Club and I became fan now 😍

[@MrJJuK]

FFS!... who's cutting onions... 😭😭😭 #BeautifulStory

[@MythicalSkull13]

Hope they stay up, I support Arsenal but Brighton's recent history is great

[@hamburgerdan101]

As a spurs supporter, this club has some kind of charm about that I like a lot it's real football

[@L1ttleBadger00]

ESPN needs to get ahold of this for a 30 for 30

[@charlesthebrick5251]

Austin Young yep

[@ChrisP-sc9sf]

Why I love being a Brighton fan. This club understands adversity.

[@smak4462]

love of the game

[@NinhLyUK]

Great story! Well put together. Good job guys! :)

[@smoky6532]

I didn’t realise that Withdean isn’t just a random stadium that I go to every Friday

[@michaelfeast9869]

These heroes should never be forgotten

[@SRPC21]

I was a Brighton University student living in Falmer a few years before the new stadium was built. I remember there was planning permission due the year I arrived but all the snobs tried to block it from happening. I'm so glad they got their wish in the end, in just gutted I never got to see it... That's just given me a thought. I'll go and visit!

[@dev0nSA1nt]

Wish my club had a story like this 💙🤍💙🤍

[@devmrin]

Beautiful.

[@abbaszaidi8371]

Beautiful video. Don’t have too good a game tonight at Wembley, but your boss is class. Love to go to an away fixture at the Amex in the near future

[@ceannasai5731]

5:00 "find us a home or we are going to start the seagulls party, and of course they were scared stiff" - like a boss!!!!!! :)

[@Connief1990]

This is great. Glad to see them in the Premier League.

[@chairmanissuchabitch]

im sooo happy to see that brighton is in the premier league, go seagulls

[@Mikeadam-sg8vd]

My Favorite team in Premier League!

[@canicetang8837]

It is a daunting task for them to stay in the Premiership. Good luck to them because they are here with probably the best supporters in the league.

[@MrKotanx]

Brilliant I'll be gunning for Brighton to stay up

[@azreenabang4410]

Congrats and welcome to the premier league.. from a chelsea fan

[@conormcauliffe4798]

And straight back down! I'm joking, I hope they do well this season.

[@mickeyjpg918]

Well we're now 14th.......won some matches and lost some....unlike poor old Crystal Palace with 0 points

[@burchieboy69]

that might come true at this point we could go down this year

[@MrGA555]

"Old fashion football grounds", fuck I wish we had that in my city

[@pablochampagne525]

Going to fire up a Football Manager 2017 game with Brighton.

[@howtoheal8003]

Smaller teams have the best history

[@KaizerMan]

If they have the best history they would be considered big clubs?

[@williamhawkins8155]

@@KaizerMan History doesn't have to be full of trophies. The Albion has a remarkable history despite not having a loaded trophy cabinet.

[@TheSeafordian]

I had a season ticket during our Gillingham years. Couldn't get to many games but the money must have helped.

[@wyattswooten]

I hope Brighton do really well this season, opening match against City tomorrow is going to be electric!

[@gusmalta5043]

Beautiful amazing stunning

[@kadyld511]

I'm a Chelsea fan but hearing about what happened to Brighton sounds extremely heartbreaking for the fans of Brighton... But this is a very touching story and I wish them the best of luck in the Premier League

[@incrediblelife4065]

JUST SHOW WHAT FANS CAN BRING TO THE GAME, MORE THAN MONEY DO!!!!!! #RESPECT#INDIA

[@GamerGurpal]

incredible life Where the fuck does India come into this

[@GamerGurpal]

Dan South I live in England dumbass, plus I don't even support this team your message makes NO sense

[@GamerGurpal]

Dan South Ok boss man

[@horatiohuskisson5471]

I'm a South African living in Brighton. Love the place, hopefully the Seagulls do well in the EPL

[@reubenw4576]

It's great, get to do sports day in their old stadium now

[@gror7849]

Really a great story ... awesome fans!

[@DonkeyAk47]

The parallels with Leyton Orient are very real right now with our situation except they managed to survive in the football league

[@HarrisonJamess]

Thomas Faull i watched you against Sutton , although I do agree there was a need for a change but there is no chance you will survive hopefully the team will conjoint quickly to survive if you do you will be back in league 2 or 1 because that is where you need to be good luck Leyton

[@owenwilson8299]

Now they're signing Champions League players like Davy Propper, Jose Izqueirdo, Mat Ryan and Ezequiel Schelotto.

[@owenwilson8299]

5. So?

[@htowncougstro]

"I played The Clash more often in this stadium than anywhere else in the world, probably ever" Brighton's alright in by book then!

[@gastonmartintripodi2561]

Im so happy to see that gunderstand that mcalister do not belong to the bench unit...

[@breakingthewall3837]

I've been to more games at Withdean than the Amex. I love this club.

[@chidaluaugustine1088]

a touching story

[@kubrickshithouse9350]

Peter Gabriel admiring the trumpet at 4:13