Paul Clark
Midfield. Born South Benfleet, Essex. Age 18 (until 9 Sep '77). A tough-tackling youngster who made his debut for Southend, against the Albion, in August 1976. Moved to Brighton in November 1977, with Southend gaining Gerry Fell and £30,000. Clark made an impressive impact on his Albion debut in the stirring 0-0 draw at Tottenham. At first, he was given the nickname 'Petula' after the singer with whom he shared a surname. However, the moniker 'Tank' more aptly fitted his powerhouse performances. Played 28 times for the Albion during the season, scoring the only goal at Orient in December and also the opener against Spurs in April.

Steve Piper
Midfield. Born Brighton, Sussex. Age 23 (until 2 Nov '77). A local lad who signed professional forms with Albion in December 1970. Developed as a versatile player, first as a defender, before Alan Mullery spotted his potential as a ball-winning midfielder. Was ever-present in this role in the exhilarating 1976/77 season. Piper also played the first fifteen league games of 1977/78, scoring the winner against Millwall as Albion came from two goals down. However, he lost his place to new signing Paul Clark and left for Portsmouth for £20,000 in February 1978.

Peter Sayer
Midfield. Born Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. Age 22 (until 2 May '78). A skilful Welsh international who joined the Albion in February 1978. He played 82 League games for Cardiff, and famously scored the only goal to knock Tottenham out of the FA Cup in January 1977. Won many admirers with his performance for Cardiff at the Goldstone Ground in October 1977 and signed for the Seagulls in February 1978. With the team focussing intensely on promotion, Sayer struggled to establish himself, playing just six games, although he did grab a winner against Stoke in March.

Peter O’Sullivan
Winger/midfield. Born Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, Wales. Age 26 (until 4 Mar 78). A clever ball player of pace and vision. Moved to the Albion from Manchester United in April 1970. Represented Wales in Schoolboy, Under-23 and full international level. Put on transfer list at own request in August after allegedly protesting at getting substituted. However, the season was a success as his creativity in midfield helped him to scoop the 'Player of the Season' award. Played 38 League games, scoring four times.

Eric Potts
Winger/midfield. Born Liverpool, Lancashire. Age 27 (until 16 Mar '78). Became known as 'supersub' after hitting two goals in the last three minutes against Sunderland in February 1978 to over-turn a 1-0 deficit. Started his League career with Sheffield Wednesday in December 1969 after a spell with Oswestry Town. Made his debut for the Owls at Charlton in 1970. Joined the Albion in a £14,000 deal in June 1977. Began the season as first-choice before losing his place to Towner in November. In all, grabbed five goals during the season, including four as a substitute. Sold to Preston for £37,000 in August 1978.

Gerry Fell
Winger. Born Newark, Nottinghamshire. Age 26 (until 1 Mar '78). Operating down the right wing, Fell had searing pace and a thunderous shot. Before joining Brighton in October 1974, he played as amateur for Long Eaton and was a bank clerk. Vying with Tony Towner for the winger position, Fell only started one Second Division match in the 1977/78 campaign, scoring the equaliser against Hull in the 2-1 win in September. Later that month, he came off the bench to score twice against Luton to secure a 3-2 victory. He left for Southend in November 1977 as part of the deal that took Paul Clark to the Goldstone.

Tony Towner
Winger. Born Brighton, Sussex. Age 22 (until 2 May '78). Dubbed 'Tiger' by his team mates, Towner's skilful wing play and accurate crosses often caused havoc in the opponents' penalty area. He came through the club's youth scheme and signed pro in October 1972 before establishing himself as a great crowd favourite. At the start of the 1977/78 season, however, he found himself out of the side, with Mullery preferring new signing Eric Potts. Against Spurs at White Hart Lane in November, Towner regained his place and was first-choice thereafter, amassing 23 League appearances during the season in all.

Peter Ward
Forward. Born Lichfield, Staffordshire. Age 22 (until 27 Jul '78). Ward joined Brighton from Burton Albion in May 1975, getting 38 goals in just 54 appearances in Division Three. As Albion's hottest property, Ward signed a four year contract in June 1977. Three months later, he was named for the full England squad against Luxembourg. In 1977/78, Ward dazzled at times with his pace, skill and shooting, such as against Sheffield United, regularly causing a buzz whenever he got the ball. He hit a purple patch of seven goals in five games before two months without hitting the target. Wardy grabbed two hat-tricks at the Goldstone during the season. One was for the Seagulls against Mansfield in January. The other was for England Under-21s against Norway Under-21s in September 1977.

Ian Mellor
Forward. Born Wythenshawe, Cheshire. Age 27 (until 19 Feb '78). 'Spider' played 40 games for Manchester City before joining Norwich for £65,000 in March 1973. He signed for Brighton for a club record fee of £40,000 a year later. Was the perfect foil for Peter Ward in the 1976/77 season, setting up many of his goalscoring opportunities. First choice at the start of the following season, hitting three goals in four games in October 1977 before being dropped soon after in favour of new signing Teddy Maybank. Joined the transfer list and moved to Chester for £30,000 in February 1978.

Teddy Maybank
Forward. Born Lambeth, London. Age 20 (until 11 Oct '77). A big money signing who cost £238,000 from Fulham in November 1977. Started his career with Chelsea where he scored six goals in 28 Division One matches before joining Fulham for £65,000 in March 1977 after a successful loan period. Maybank was signed by Mullery to partner Peter Ward, and made an instant impact, with two goals in two games. However, he was hampered with knee trouble and missed two periods towards the end of the season, with Poskett deputising.

Malcolm Poskett
Forward. Born Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. Age 24 (until 19 Jul '78). Poskett was Hartlepool's top scorer in 1976/77 season with ten goals from 29 appearances. Signed by Brighton in February 1978 in a £60,000 deal as cover for Teddy Maybank. Went straight into the squad, scoring on his debut against Hull the next day before getting the opener against Burnley in his second match. With Maybank fit in March, Poskett was omitted. Nevertheless, there was still time for the Yorkshireman to fire a hat-trick at Bristol Rovers in April 1978 as Albion pushed strongly for promotion.