Alan Mullery
Manager. A former international player, capped 35 times for England during a playing career with Fulham and Tottenham that spanned 1959 to 1976. Has had great success as a manager taking Albion from the Third Division to the First in three seasons. In 1980/81, brought new faces to the Goldstone, such as Gordon Smith, Michael Robinson, Ray McHale and Andy Ritchie. Facing relegation after an abject defeat at Middlesbrough in April, threatened to run over the players if he was to see them in the street! Eventually led the club to a great escape from the drop. Resigned in June 1981 following disagreements with Mike Bamber relating to the sale of Mark Lawrenson and proposed cuts to the coaching staff.

Graham Moseley
Goalkeeper. Born Stretford, Lancashire. Age 26 (until 16 Nov '80). Started his career as an apprentice with Blackburn Rovers, then moved to Derby. Has also had spells on loan with Aston Villa and Walsall. Took over in the Brighton goal from Eric Steele early in the 1979/80 season and quickly established himself as a first team regular. However, some costly mistakes in 1980/81, particularly in dealing with crosses, led to him being blamed by Mullery for the loss of six points. As a result, he was dropped in January in favour of new signing Perry Digweed.

Perry Digweed
Goalkeeper. Born Chelsea, London. Age 20 (until 26 Oct '80). Made his League debut for Fulham against Bolton in January 1977. After just fifteen games for the Craven Cottage side, this young goalkeeper was signed by Brighton in a £150,000 deal in January 1981. He made his debut against West Brom. Mullery said: 'OK, so the lad was at fault with the first goal we let in, but his overall debut convinced me more than ever that we've signed someone who's going to become a very good keeper.' Played fifteen out of the last sixteen League matches of 1980/81.

John Phillips
Goalkeeper. Born Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Age 29 (until 7 Jul '80). Welsh international goalkeeper who joined Brighton from Chelsea in March 1980. Started his career with Shrewsbury Town and moved to Stamford Bridge after a spell at Aston Villa. Made his only ever appearance for Brighton in the 3-2 win against Crystal Palace in December 1980. Left on a free transfer to Charlton in July 1981.

Gary Stevens
Defender. Born Hillingdon, Middlesex. Age 18 (until 30 Mar '81). Promising defender who made his debut for Brighton in September 1979 against Ipswich, the club who rejected him as a schoolboy. Joined Brighton as an apprentice in August 1978 and signed professional forms in October 1979. Representative honours for Suffolk Schools. Notched up 60 League appearances for the Seagulls by the end of the 1980/81 season.

John Gregory
Defender. Born Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. Age 26 (until 11 May '81). A full-back who started his career with Northampton Town before moving to Aston Villa, where he played every position except goalkeeper. Signed by Albion in June 1979 for £250,000 and is now the regular in the number two shirt. Scored at Villa in October, but Albion lost against the eventual League champions 4-1. Joined QPR in June 1981 in a £300,000 deal.

Chris Ramsey
Defender. Born Birmingham, Warwickshire. Age 18 (until 28 Apr '81). Strong and competitive right-back who was released by Bristol City. Applied to eight London clubs for a trial before being snapped up by Brighton in August 1980. Made his debut against Crystal Palace in April 1981, while still only 18 years old, before featuring in the last two games of the season as Albion mounted a great escape.

Steve Foster
Defender. Born Portsmouth, Hampshire. Age 22 (until 24 Sep '80). A central defender with strong aerial ability and leadership skills. Joined Brighton from Portsmouth in June 1979 for a fee of £150,000. Already played in all four divisions of the Football League, and also been capped at Under-21 level. The fans voted him Brighton's 'Player of the Year' for 1979/80. Did not miss a single League game during 1980/81. Foster scored the opening goal in the 2-0 win against Leeds in May that guaranteed First Division survival.

Mark Lawrenson
Defender. Born Preston, Lancashire. Age 23 (until 2 Jun '81). Classy footballer who joined Brighton for £111,111 from Preston in June 1977, having made his international debut for Eire during the previous month. After an injury in September 1979 kept him out of two months, returned for the rest of the campaign as a midfielder. In 1980/81 was back in central defence and had another outstanding season as Albion beat the drop. His well-timed tackles, reading of the game, and confidence to bring the ball out of defence, made him a target for the top clubs. Sold to Liverpool in a club record £900,000 deal in August 1981.

Gary Williams
Defender. Born Liverpool, Lancashire. Age 26 (until 8 Mar '81). Started his career with Preston in 1971, and moved to Brighton six years later, making his Albion debut in October 1977. An ever-present for them during the previous two seasons, and now has well over 200 League appearances to his name. Missed part of the 1980/81 due to injury, but came back towards the end to reclaim his usual number three shirt. Scored a crucial last minute winner at Sunderland in April 1981 to help the Seagulls avoid the drop.

Jacob Cohen
Defender. Born Israel. Age 23 (until 25 Sep '80). Israeli international who, alongside compatriot Moshe Gariani, made minimal impact at the Goldstone. Signed in a £40,000 deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv in October 1980 after impressing during a trial in August. Made his debut as a substitute at Stoke in October 1980. Started three matches in the number three shirt when Gary Williams was injured but lost the left-back slot to Gary Stevens by the following month. Subsequently made two more appearances from the bench. Joined Israeli side Bethsheba after the 1980/81 season.

Tony Vessey
Defender. Born Derby, Derbyshire. Age 18 (until 28 Nov '80). Promising centre-back who joined Brighton as an apprentice in 1978 after being spotted playing Sunday football in the Derby area. Signed professional forms in October 1979 and became a regular in the reserves. After he was an unused substitute the month before against Southampton, Vessey finally made his league debut in the 4-1 home victory against Coventry in March 1981. Lost his place to John Gregory in the next match and made no more League appearances. Sold to Swedish side Vasalund in March 1982.