Mike Bailey
Manager. A former England international who featured as a player with Charlton and Wolves before becoming player-manager at Hereford. Also enjoyed a spell as player-coach with Minnesota Kicks in the N.A.S.L. before joining Charlton as manager in 1980. After one season, taking Charlton back to Division Two, he filled the gap left by Alan Mullery at the Goldstone Ground in 1981. With an away win at Wolves helping Albion to fifth spot in September, it was a season free from battle with relegation. The brand of football was often described as 'boring', and the team fell away towards the end of the season. Even so, Bailey succeeded in leading the Seagulls to 13th in Division One in 1981/82, their highest ever League finish.

Graham Moseley
Goalkeeper. Born Stretford, Lancashire. Age 27 (until 16 Nov '81). A consistent keeper, dominant in the air and with good reflexes. Started his career with Blackburn Rovers. Moved to Derby County before his transfer to Brighton for £20,000 in November 1977. Having seen off competition for the number one shirt from Eric Steele, vied for the goalkeeper spot with Perry Digweed. Considered leaving after being dropped the previous season, he re-established himself in 1981/82, making 30 League appearances.

Perry Digweed
Goalkeeper. Born Chelsea, London. Age 21 (until 26 Oct '81). Promising young keeper who started his career with Fulham, making his League debut against Bolton in January 1977 while still an apprentice. Went from a Fulham reserve playing in front of 400 spectators to a first choice top flight keeper when he signed for the Seagulls in January 1981. Digweed admitted, 'I was a little surprised to join a First Division club although I had read that Brighton were interested in me.' Played fifteen League matches in his first Albion season. In the 1981/82 campaign, Digweed found himself playing second fiddle to Moseley. Managed twelve League appearances including a clean sheet at Anfield.

Gary Stevens
Defender. Born Hillingdon, Middlesex. Age 20 (until 30 Mar '82). Known as 'Grease' by his team-mates, Stevens oozes class as a defender, reading the game, tackling and passing with consummate ease. Started his career with Ipswich Town, but transferred to Brighton in September 1979 and made his League debut against his old club in the same month. Usually playing on the left side of the defence, he was in and out of the side at the start of the 1981/82 season, before becoming a fixture at the back in the second half of the season. Made 25 League starts plus seven as substitute.

Don Shanks
Defender. Born Hammersmith, London. Age 28 (until 2 Oct '81). Highly experienced right-back who has experience of playing in midfield. Started his career with Luton Town, where he made his League debut against Preston North End in August 1971. Made 90 League appearances for Luton before transferring to Queen’s Park Rangers in November 1974. He played 180 League games for Rangers before transferring to Brighton in August 1981. His attacking wing-play and crosses set up both of Brighton's late goals against Liverpool in a famous 3-3 draw at the Goldstone Ground. In all, he made 35 League appearances in 1981/82 to add to the 270 he had accumulated with his previous clubs.

Sammy Nelson
Defender. Born Belfast, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. Age 32 (until 1 Apr '82). Vastly experienced left-back who made 255 Division One appearances for Arsenal. Played in three appearances in the FA Cup Final and one in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final. After losing his place to Kenny Sansom, he was signed for the Seagulls by Mike Bailey for £30,000 in 1981. Displacing Gary Williams at left-back, he made 27 League appearances in his debut season for the Seagulls. A regular for Northern Ireland, he played two matches in the 1982 World Cup finals in Spain.

Steve Foster
Defender. Born Portsmouth, Hampshire. Age 23 (until 24 Sep '81). Proved great value for the £150,000 Brighton paid Portsmouth for him in June 1979. 'Fozzie' had played in all four divisions of the Football League by the end of his Albion debut, and has one England Under-21 cap to his credit, which he won against East Germany in 1980. A central defender who became captain once Brian Horton had left. Missed just two games in the 1981/82 season, scoring two goals including a cracking drive against Everton in Feruary. Was a member of the England World Cup squad in 1982, winning his third cap against Kuwait.

Steve Gatting
Defender. Born Park Royal, Willesden, Middlesex. Age 22 (until 29 May '82). Joined Arsenal straight from school and signed professional forms in February 1977, making his League debut against Southampton in October 1978. Played in 58 League games for the Gunners, mainly in midfield, before Mike Bailey signed him for Brighton for £200,000 in September 1981. After making his Albion debut against Everton in September 1981, Steve did not miss a game for the rest of the season. Praised by manager Mike Bailey as 'the most consistent player we've got.' He is brother of Mike Gatting, the England cricketer.

Gary Williams
Defender. Born Liverpool, Lancashire. Age 27 (until 8 Mar '82). Dependable left-back who started his career with Preston North End, making his League debut in 1971. Moved to Brighton six years later. A fixture in the Alan Mullery era, he once had a spell of 146 consecutive matches. Under Mike Bailey, in 1981/82, Williams lost his place to Sammy Nelson, making just fourteen League appearances. In total he made 158 League appearances for the Seagulls. Left Brighton in an exchange involving Crystal Palace's Neil Smillie in July 1982.