Gerry Ryan
Midfield / winger. Born Dublin, Co. Dublin, Republic of Ireland. Age 22 (until 4 Oct '78). A versatile Eire international with an eye for goal. He made 30 League appearances and won his first cap in twelve months at Derby County following a move from Bohemians. Joined the Seagulls in a £80,000 deal in September 1978. Scored on his Albion home debut in a 5-1 thrashing of Preston before getting another two in his next home match. In all, he made 34 League appearances for Brighton during the 1978/79 campaign, scoring nine goals including the final one against Newcastle.

Peter O’Sullivan
Winger / midfield. Born Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire, Wales. Age 27 (until 4 Mar 79). Joined Manchester United as a youngster. Failed to make United’s first team and subsequently joined Albion in April 1970. Made his Albion debut against Torquay in August 1970, winning promotion with the club for the third time in nine years during the 1978/79 campaign. A full Welsh international, Sully was an automatic choice, playing 37 League games and scoring once. His midfield partnership with Peter Sayer during the season was described by Mullery as 'outstanding.' His life during the course of the historic 1978/79 season was the subject of the highly revealing children's book 'A Day With A Footballer.'

Paul Clark
Midfield. Born South Benfleet, Essex. Age 19 (until 9 Sep '78). Swashbuckling midfielder adding steel and power to the Albion side. A former England Schoolboy and Youth international who played in 33 games for Southend when the Seagulls bought him in November 1977, with Gerry Fell and £30,000 heading to Roots Hall. Clark went straight into the Brighton side, becoming a fixture and impressing with his sharp-shooting. In November 1978, he lost his place in the starting line-up. After grabbing a crucial winner at Fulham in February 1979 as a substitute, he was restored back to the side for the rest of the campaign.

Tony Towner
Winger. Born Brighton, Sussex. Age 23 (until 2 May '79). Nicknamed 'Tiger,' Towner graduated from the Albion's youth scheme and impressed with his exciting wing play. He signed professional forms in October 1972 and played regular first team football since his debut in the Second Division against Luton in February 1973. Having fought off competition from Gerry Fell, Eric Potts and Peter Sayer in the previous seasons, Towner lost his place to new signing Gerry Ryan in September 1978 and requested a transfer. After seven League and Cup appearances in the season, he moved to Millwall in October for £65,000.

Peter Sayer
Midfield. Born Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales. Age 23 (until 2 May '79). A Welsh international at every level, he was bought by the Albion from Cardiff City in early 1978 for £100,000. Sayer netted fourteen goals for the Welsh club in 82 games before joining the Seagulls. He helped the Bluebirds win promotion from Division Three, but had spells in and out of the Brighton side since leaving Ninian Park. Established himself in 1978/79 with Mullery declaring: 'Everyone has known about his pace but there is more to his game now. He has settled down well and is showing himself to be an outstanding all round footballer.'

Peter Ward
Forward. Born Lichfield, Staffordshire. Age 23 (until 27 Jul '79). The Seagulls' star striker with mazy dribbling skills and the ability to turn a game with a flash of brilliance. He was snapped up from Burton Albion by Peter Taylor in May 1975. He notched up 36 League and cup goals in 1976/77 as Albion won promotion to Division Two. While top scorer overall in 1978/79 with thirteen League and cup goals, indifferent form led to him being dropped for parts of the season. In a drought of four months without a League goal, he rose to the occasion in December 1979 with the equaliser against League champions Nottingham Forest in the League Cup. His jinky run and shot against Newcastle in May helped to seal promotion.

Teddy Maybank
Forward. Born Lambeth, London. Age 21 (until 11 Oct '78). A striker with zest and a high work-rate. Started his career with Chelsea, turning pro in 1974. At Fulham, he found the target fourteen times in 27 matches. He cost Brighton an eye-watering £238,000 - a record fee between two Second Division clubs - when bought in November 1977. Subject of increasing criticism from the crowd for his performances, he nevertheless made a meaningful contribution to the season, scoring ten goals in 35 League starts during the 1978/79 promotion season. This included a hat-trick on Boxing Day against Cardiff and the smoke-bomb aided goal against Blackburn in April.

Malcolm Poskett
Forward. Born Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. Age 25 (until 19 Jul '79). A Yorkshireman who describes his strengths as his 'control on the deck, going past people to get into scoring positions.' Signed for Brighton from Hartlepool in January 1978. His footballing days started with Middlesbrough but, after failing to make the grade with them, he left football and joined the North Sea oil industry. He was tempted back by lowly Hartlepool where his twenty goals in 51 appearances attracted the attention of Brighton. Finding himself out of the side at the start of the 1978/79 season, Poskett put in a transfer request which he quickly withdrew. Although not always first-choice, Poskett's ten goals in just 21 league starts and eight substitute appearances made a telling contribution, particularly his hat-trick at Charlton in November.

Martin Chivers
Forward. Born Southampton, Hampshire. Age 33 (until 27 Apr '79). A centre-forward of international class, reaching the end of his career. In his prime, one of the most feared strikers in the League, hitting 97 League goals for Southampton and 118 for Spurs. Also played 24 times for England. Joined Norwich in July 1978 after two years at Servette Geneva before switching to Brighton in March 1979 for £15,000 as cover for the absent Teddy Maybank. Made his Albion debut against Notts County that month before a towering header contributed to a 3-3 draw against Orient. Three League games for the Albion during the season.