Video
Brighton 2-1 Blackpool
Peter Ward skins future team-mate Pete Suddaby, and Brian Horton adds another, but the win is not enough to give Albion promotion.
Slade - 'Give Us A Goal'
Glam rock band Slade recorded this video before Albion's home match against Burnley. It features footage of players running out in the previous season's kit.
Tottenham 0-0 Brighton
Excellent performances by Eric Steele, Tony Towner and Paul Clark help Brighton get a draw against the mighty Spurs. For extended highlights, you can watch The Big Match
Brighton 2-1 Sheffield United
Two more clinical finishes from Peter Ward. You can also view the second one from a different angle.
Welcome to Seagulls TV
Watch video links from YouTube of Brighton & Hove Albion during the glory years of Peter Ward, Alan Mullery, Goldstone Ground, two promotions in three years, top flight football, that snazzy all-blue Adidas kit and a great FA Cup run.
In 1977/78, the Albion just missed out on promotion to the top flight, finishing fourth in Division Two.
Profiles

Alan Mullery
Manager. An ambitious and dynamic boss with a strong love for the game as well as a fiery temper at times. He made his name as a wing-half for Fulham before his transfer to Spurs in March 1964. Had enormous success at Spurs before returning to Fulham in July 1972. With his motivational abilities and wheeling and dealing in the transfer market, has proved a great success with Brighton. Won promotion from Division Three and then guided the Albion to fourth in Division Two in 1978, the club's highest ever League finish.

Eric Steele
Goalkeeper. Born Wallsend, Northumberland. Age 23 (until 14 May '78). Former Newcastle keeper before joining Peterborough in July 1974 after a successful loan period. In 1975/76 was voted Third Division 'Goalkeeper of the Year' by the Players' Panel. Joined Albion from Peterborough United in February 1977 and took over from Peter Grummitt as first choice keeper the following month. 1977/78 was Steele's first full season at the Goldstone, and he impressed with his reliability during his 38 League appearances.

Graham Moseley
Goalkeeper. Born Stretford, Lancashire. Age 23 (until 16 Nov '77). A former England Under-23 goalkeeper who played in the Derby v Brighton League Cup tie at the Baseball Ground the previous season for the Rams. Joined Brighton in November 1977 in a £20,000 deal and kept a clean sheet on his Albion debut against Bristol Rovers in April 1978. Played the last four games of the season when Steele was out with a thigh strain, giving some assured performances as the Albion maintained their promotion push.

Ken Tiler
Defender. Born Sheffield, Yorkshire. Age 27 (until 23 May '78). One of the unsung heroes of the side. A dependable right-back who joined Chesterfield as an amateur in 1967 and signed professional forms in 1969. After 139 League appearances, he was signed by Peter Taylor for the Albion in October 1974 in a deal where he was valued at £45,000, with Billy McEwan and Ronnie Welch going in the opposite direction. After playing all sixteen games in the 1977/78 campaign, he was dropped, as Chris Cattlin moved to the right-back slot. In January, Tiler announced he was unsettled after losing first team place. However, he returned for the last seven games of the season.

Chris Cattlin
Defender. Born Milnrow, Lancashire. Age 31 (until 25 Jun '78). A versatile, reliable defender who began his career with Burnley as an amateur and then Huddersfield as a professional. Joined Coventry for a then record fee for a full-back, £65,000 in 1968. Played 213 Division One games for the Sky Blues, as well as playing in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, and winning England Under-23 honours. Joined the Albion on a free transfer in May 1976. Began the 1977/78 season in the left-back position, before switching to right-back in October to accomodate Gary Williams. Eventually made 31 League appearances.

Gary Williams
Defender. Born Liverpool, Lancashire. Age 23 (until 8 Mar '78). A very consistent left-back who made his League debut at Preston North End in the 1971/72 season. Voted 'Player of the Year' by Deepdale fans in 1976. Joined the Albion in the summer in a deal that took Harry Wilson and Graham Cross in the opposite direction. A pre-season injury kept him out of the side for much of the early months of the 1977/78 campaign. However, he made the number three shirt his own after 34 League appearances during the season.

Andy Rollings
Defender. Born Portishead, Somerset. Age 22 (until 14 Dec '77). Tall and powerful central defender firmly established as a regular in the side. Product of Norwich City's youth policy before joining the Albion in April 1974 along with Steve Govier for a combined fee of £25,000. Forming a defensive partnership with new signing Mark Lawrenson, Rollings made 24 League appearances in the 1977/78 campaign. Had a lucky escape in early January when he received a head injury and needed just two stitches when his car overturned on the main London to Brighton road around Handcross.

Mark Lawrenson
Defender. Born Preston, Lancashire. Age 20 (until 2 Jun '78). Likened to Franz Beckenbauer by manager Alan Mullery for his all-round skill, finesse and reading of the game. An outstanding player who turned pro with Preston in April 1974. Such was his progress, he won his first Republic of Ireland cap in April 1977. Despite competition from Liverpool, he signed for the Albion for a club record fee of £111,111 while holidaying in Spain in June 1977. He had greatly impressed Mullery when he marked Peter Ward the previous season. Playing 48 League and cup games in his first season at the Albion.

Graham Winstanley
Defender. Born Croxdale, Co. Durham. Age 29 (until 20 Jan '78). Described by Alan Mullery as the 'perfect professional.' Known as 'Tot' in the dressing room, he played seven times for Newcastle before joining Carlisle United for whom he made 165 appearances and was member of the side that gained promotion to the First Division. Joined Albion in a £20,000 deal in November 1974 after a loan spell. A standby player who got his chances when Andy Rollings was unavailable. Winstanley made eighteen League appearances during the course of the 1977/78 campaign and volleyed the second goal against Tottenham in the 3-1 victory in April.

Brian Horton
Midfield. Born Hednesford, Staffordshire. Age 28 (until 4 Feb '78). Combatitive skipper who inspires others with his strong will to win. Ex-Walsall apprentice who went to non-League Hednesford Town before joining Port Vale in July 1970 where he firmly established himself as a seasoned performer. Played 236 League games for Vale, scoring 33 goals, before being signed by Peter Taylor for the Albion for just £27,000 in March 1976. After being the club's 'Player of the Season' in 1976/77, had another fine campaign the following season, featuring in 50 League and cup matches and scoring eleven goals, including the winner against Blackpool in the final match.

John Ruggiero
Midfield. Born Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. Age 22 (until 26 Nov '77). A much travelled midfielder with Italian ancestry with playing experience of all four divisions in England. Had spells at Portsmouth and Workington, as well as Ndola United in the Zambian league. Played his way into Stoke City's side in 1976/77. Joined Albion in a £30,000 deal in June 1977 and scored a late equaliser at Southampton on the opening day in Division Two. Struggled to hold his place and was loaned to Portsmouth in December. Out since September, he made a surprise return to the Albion starting line-up in the final match, against Blackpool. Left for Chester on a free transfer in April 1979.

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.
N.B. All ages correct as of 1 August 1977.
Photos
Results
| Date | Comp | V | Opponents | R | Score | Pos | Scorers | Att | Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 13 | LC R1 L1 | a | Cambridge United | D | 0-0 | - | 5,486 | ||
| Aug 16 | LC R1 L2 | h | Cambridge United | D | 0-0 | - | 18,273 | ||
| Aug 20 | Div 2 | a | Southampton | D | 1-1 | 7 | Ruggiero | 24,306 | |
| Aug 23 | LC R1 R | h | Cambridge | W | 3-1 | - | Horton 2 (1 pen), Ward | 19,297 | |
| Aug 27 | Div 2 | h | Millwall | W | 3-2 | 10 | Ward, Own Goal, Piper | 18,924 | |
| Aug 30 | LC R2 | h | Oldham Athletic | D | 0-0 | - | 20,218 | ||
| Sep 3 | Div 2 | a | Mansfield Town | W | 2-1 | 6 | Ruggiero, Piper | 8,622 | |
| Sep 10 | Div 2 | h | Hull City | W | 2-1 | 6 | Fell, Mellor | 20,692 | |
| Sep 13 | LC R2 R | a | Oldham Athletic | D | 2-2 | - | Potts, Cattlin | 7,787 | |
| Sep 17 | Div 2 | a | Burnley | D | 0-0 | 5 | 9,199 | ||
| Sep 20 | LC R2 2R | n | Oldham Athletic | L | 1-2 | - | Ward | 1,840 | |
| Sep 24 | Div 2 | h | Sheffield United | W | 2-1 | 4 | Ward 2 | 21,666 | Video |
| Sep 27 | Div 2 | h | Luton Town | W | 3-2 | 2 | Ward, Fell 2 | 25,132 | |
| Oct 1 | Div 2 | a | Sunderland | W | 2-0 | 1 | Piper, Ward | 24,013 | |
| Oct 4 | Div 2 | a | Charlton Athletic | L | 3-4 | 2 | Ward 2 (1 pen), Winstanley | 18,998 | |
| Oct 8 | Div 2 | h | Bolton | L | 1-2 | 3 | Mellor | 27,430 | |
| Oct 15 | Div 2 | a | Stoke City | L | 0-1 | 5 | 16,290 | ||
| Oct 22 | Div 2 | h | Crystal Palace | D | 1-1 | 6 | Mellor | 28,208 | |
| Oct 29 | Div 2 | h | Cardiff City | W | 4-0 | 3 | O'Sullivan 2, Mellor, Ward | 22,704 | |
| Nov 5 | Div 2 | a | Notts County | L | 0-1 | 5 | 9,549 | ||
| Nov 12 | Div 2 | h | Orient | W | 1-0 | 3 | Horton (pen) | 20,389 | |
| Nov 19 | Div 2 | a | Tottenham | D | 0-0 | 4 | 48,613 | Video | |
| Nov 26 | Div 2 | h | Blackburn Rovers | D | 2-2 | 5 | Maybank, Towner | 26,467 | |
| Dec 3 | Div 2 | a | Blackpool | W | 1-0 | 4 | Maybank | 9,704 | |
| Dec 10 | Div 2 | h | Oldham Athletic | D | 2-2 | 3 | Horton (pen) | 22,339 | |
| Dec 17 | Div 2 | a | Orient | W | 1-0 | 3 | Clark | 9,374 | |
| Dec 26 | Div 2 | h | Bristol Rovers | D | 1-1 | 4 | Horton | 25,509 | |
| Dec 28 | Div 2 | a | Fulham | L | 1-2 | 5 | Maybank | 21,695 | |
| Dec 31 | Div 2 | h | Luton Town | L | 0-1 | 5 | 13,109 | ||
| Jan 2 | Div 2 | h | Southampton | D | 1-1 | 1 | Lawrenson | 32,979 | |
| Jan 7 | FAC R3 | h | Scarborough | W | 3-0 | - | Ward, Potts, Horton | 23,748 | |
| Jan 14 | Div 2 | a | Millwall | W | 1-0 | 5 | Ward | 9,534 | |
| Jan 21 | Div 2 | h | Mansfield | W | 5-1 | 4 | Ward 3 (1 pen), Maybank, Horton | 22,647 | |
| Jan 31 | FAC R4 | h | Notts County | L | 1-2 | - | Towner | 23,590 | |
| Feb 4 | Div 2 | a | Hull City | D | 1-1 | 4 | Poskett | 4,543 | |
| Feb 11 | Div 2 | h | Burnley | W | 2-1 | 4 | Poskett, Horton (pen) | 22,694 | |
| Feb 25 | Div 2 | h | Sunderland | W | 2-1 | 4 | Potts 2 | 25,771 | |
| Mar 4 | Div 2 | a | Bolton | D | 1-1 | 4 | Horton (pen) | 21,405 | |
| Mar 11 | Div 2 | h | Stoke City | W | 2-1 | 4 | Potts, Sayer | 24,797 | |
| Mar 18 | Div 2 | a | Crystal Palace | D | 0-0 | 4 | 26,305 | ||
| Mar 24 | Div 2 | a | Cardiff City | L | 0-1 | 4 | 10,222 | ||
| Mar 25 | Div 2 | h | Fulham | W | 2-0 | 4 | O'Sullivan, Clark | 24,601 | |
| Apr 1 | Div 2 | h | Notts County | W | 2-1 | 4 | Horton, O'Sullivan | 20,315 | |
| Apr 4 | Div 2 | a | Sheffield United | L | 0-2 | 4 | 13,342 | ||
| Apr 8 | Div 2 | a | Blackburn Rovers | W | 1-0 | 4 | Potts | 10,178 | |
| Apr 15 | Div 2 | h | Tottenham | W | 3-1 | 4 | Clark, Winstanley, Potts | 32,647 | |
| Apr 18 | Div 2 | a | Bristol Rovers | W | 4-0 | 4 | Poskett, Ward | 9,789 | |
| Apr 22 | Div 2 | a | Oldham Athletic | D | 1-1 | 4 | Towner | 10,249 | |
| Apr 25 | Div 2 | h | Charlton Athletic | W | 1-0 | 3 | Poskett | 31,203 | |
| Apr 29 | Div 2 | h | Blackpool | W | 2-1 | 4 | Ward, Horton (pen) | 33,431 | Video |