Alan Mullery
Manager. A distinguished international who played for Fulham, Spurs and then Fulham again between 1959 and 1976. In July 1976 he took over at Brighton from Peter Taylor. He built on the successful foundations of Clough and Taylor to guide Brighton to promotion twice and take the club into the First Division for the first time. With Albion near the bottom, declared on BBC TV: 'If we don't finish halfway up the table, I'll need my backside kicking.' Successfully steered the club to top flight safety.

Eric Steele
Goalkeeper. Born Wallsend, Northumberland. Age 25 (until 14 May '80). Started his career with Newcastle United, but made no first team appearances before moving to Peterborough. He established himself in the first team, making 124 League appearances for the Posh before transferring to the Albion in February 1977. Put on the transfer list after trading punches with team mate Gary Williams in front of 52,000 fans at Old Trafford. After a surprise farewell appearance when Moseley went down with a stomach bug, Steele was sold to Watford for £100,000 in October 1979.

Graham Moseley
Goalkeeper. Born Stretford, Lancashire. Age 25 (until 16 Nov '79). Experienced keeper who was on the books at Bristol Rovers and Derby as well as loan spells with Aston Villa and Walsall. Signed for the Albion for £20,000 in November 1977. Competed with Eric Steele for the number one shirt, before his rival was sold in October 1979, with Mullery claiming that Moseley was more commanding in the air, especially on crosses. Ever-present for the rest of the season, making 33 League appearances during the campaign.

Chris Cattlin
Defender. Born Milnrow, Lancashire. Age 33 (until 25 Jun '80). Started his professional career with Huddersfield, where he made 61 League appearances before moving to Coventry, for £80,000, then a record for a full-back. He made 217 League appearances for the Sky-Blues and won England Under-23 honours. Joined Brighton in May 1976. Although a regular during the Albion's rise up the divisions, he made one appearance during the campaign, against Arsenal in a League Cup replay. Retired at the end of the season.

Andy Rollings
Defender. Born Portishead, Somerset. Age 24 (until 14 Dec '79). A centre-half who first came to prominence in the Norwich City youth scheme, and signed for Brighton in April 1974 after only four appearances for the Canaries. A regular first team player for many years, before getting injured against Manchester City in August and losing his place to Steve Foster. In his penultimate game for the Albion in October against Norwich City, his nose was broken in a clash with Justin Fashanu, before Rollings was sent off in the second half. Turned down a move to Aldershot and Portsmouth during the season. Valued at £75,000, he moved to Swindon in May 1980 in an exchange deal involving Ray McHale.

Mark Lawrenson
Defender/midfield. Born Preston, Lancashire. Age 22 (until 2 Jun '80). Started his career with Preston North End, where he made 73 appearances before signing for Brighton in a £111,111 during his summer holiday in Spain in June 1977. It was Albion's record fee paid at the time, and outbidded Liverpool. Enjoyed another outstanding season after recovering from a broken arm from the previous season and an ankle injury early in September. Playing much of the rest of the campaign in midfield. Has won full international honours with Eire.

Steve Foster
Defender. Born Portsmouth, Hampshire. Age 21 (until 24 Sep '79). A promising central defender, particularly dominant in the air. Made 109 appearances for Portsmouth, several as a striker. Signed from Portsmouth in June for £130,000, and has had the rare distinction of playing in all four divsions by the age of 21. Made a massive impact at the Goldstone in his first season. He was voted Rediffusion 'Player of the Season' for 1979/80, winning a state-of-the-art colour television.

Peter Suddaby
Defender. Born Stockport, Cheshire. Age 32 (until 23 Dec '80). Tough-tackling and assured central defender who turned professional at the age of 22, notching up 332 League appearances for Blackpool as well as an Anglo-Italian Cup winner's medal. A surprise free transfer to the Albion in November 1979 to bolster the defence. Made 25 appearances during the season, making a tremendous contribution as Albion rose up the table. Slipped a disc in May 1980 and was released by the club.

Gary Williams
Defender. Born Liverpool, Lancashire. Age 25 (until 8 Mar '80). Like Lawrenson, another defender who began his League career with Preston North End, during the 1971/72 season. He was voted Preston's "Player of the Year" by the fans in 1976. Signed by the Albion in July 1977, he has not missed a match since October 1977. Consequently, he was ever-present in both Brighton promotion side of 1978/79 and the first season in the top flight in 1979/80. In October 1979, he clashed with his own keeper Eric Steele at Old Trafford and was booked. Later on in the season, he hit the winner against European champions Nottingham Forest in March 1980.

Gary Stevens
Defender. Born Hillingdon, Middlesex. Age 17 (until 30 Mar '80). Stylish defender dubbed 'Grease' due to his likeness to John Travolta. Was on the books of Ipswich Town as a schoolboy. Joined the Albion as an apprentice in August 1978, and became a full professional at the Goldstone Ground. Hugely impressive performances in the Tennant Caledonian pre-season tournament in Glasgow in August 1979. Made his debut against Ipswich in September 1979, and scoring a goal in the return fixture in February 1980. Established himself with his neat and unflustered performances, making 26 League appearances.

John Gregory
Defender. Born Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. Age 25 (until 11 May '80).A tough tacking right-back who started his career with Northampton Town, making his debut against Gillingham in January 1973. He moved to Villa during the summer of 1977, and missed only three League games during 1978/79 before transferring to Brighton in the 1979 close season for a record £250,000. Added some much needed First Division experience and know-how to the defence. Missed a few games because of appendicitis.

Brian Horton
Midfield. Born Hednesford, Staffordshire. Age 30 (until 4 Feb '80). Hugely influential captain who experienced a more challenging time as Albion came under the cosh in midfield during much of the season. Made 236 League appearances for Port Vale, although previously an untried apprentice with Walsall. Also had a spell with non-League Hednesford Town. Was ever-present in the number four shirt during 1979/80. which took his League appearances over the 400 mark.