David Webb

Lore & Background

It does, however, detail the club's stadium history: Brighton played at the Goldstone Ground for most of the 20th century, sold it in 1997, then played at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium for two seasons before moving to Withdean Stadium from 1999 to 2011. The club moved into Falmer Stadium in 2011, a project funded by Tony Bloom, who secured £93 million for the new ground. Dick Knight led fan pressure to oust the previous board in 1997 and took control of the club, saving it from liquidation.

Reader's Guide

Mike Bamber was chairman from October 1972 until 1983, bringing Brian Clough to the club in 1973 and appointing Alan Mullery as manager. Dick Knight took control in 1997 after leading fan protests against the sale of the Goldstone Ground. Tony Bloom replaced Knight as chairman in May 2009, securing £93 million funding for Falmer Stadium and a 75% shareholding. The stadium hosted its first league match in the 2011–12 season against Doncaster Rovers.

Did You Know?

• Brighton's only national honour to date is the FA Charity Shield, won in 1910 by defeating Football League champions Aston Villa.
• The club's first FA Cup final was in 1983, where they drew 2–2 with Manchester United before losing the replay 4–0.
• Brighton played 50 miles away at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium for two seasons after selling the Goldstone Ground in 1997.
• Brighton's 2016–17 season began with an 18-match unbeaten run, keeping them top of the league for much of December and January.