Founded at the turn of the century, Brighton & Hove Albion FC started as Brighton & Hove United. These days they compete in the top tier of football but have had much more humble beginnings. Going by the nickname “Seagulls” in the early days, the club was conceived as a pub in Ship Street, Brighton called Seven Stars. Their bold blue and white uniforms are instantly recognisable.
The Founding Years: Establishing a Football Legacy
Before their first match, they changed their name to Brighton & Hove Albion. They played at the County Cricket Ground in Hove before moving to the Goldstone Ground, and their first season was in the second division of the Southern League (they won the FA Charity Shield in this league). In 1903, they won the Second Division of the Southern League, and the following year they introduced their famous blue and white stripe uniforms. In 1910, supporters claimed the popular song ‘Sussex By The Sea’ as their own and started adapting it, and it was around this time that they won the Southern League title (7 years after making their First Division Debut!). In 1920, they left the Southern League and were accepted into the Football League’s Third Division, which was new at that time.
Impact of War on the Club
The song ‘Sussex By The Sea’ was also sung by British soldiers throughout Flanders and France during the First World War. Albion closed down for 4 years while the war was raging on, although initially after the war began a full season of football was played. This proved to be very controversial and seeing that most players and many supporters joined the army, professional football was put on the back burner while the war went on. Football resumed in 1919, and Albion focused on the FA Cup, setting a record of the most spectators at the Goldstone in a famous cup game against West Ham United — almost 33,000 football fans cheered their teams!
Community Ties and Fan Culture
Albion played throughout the Second World War, although it was a challenge to persevere through these times. After the war, they finished at the bottom of the football league, and were rescued only through being voted back in. They plodded along for a while, and fan attendance grew to an all-time high, with almost 37,000 fans packing out the Goldstone for the match against Fulham in 1958. Sadly, the talent of the players couldn’t match the passion of the fans, and Albion slid down to the bottom tier by 1963. Despite this, their fan base remained deeply dedicated to the team (and thanks to modern technology and social media, is now a thriving global fanbase).
Grounds and Relocations: A Home for Brighton & Hove Albion FC
The Goldstone Ground in Hove was home to Albion for nearly 100 years, serving them well and holding huge numbers of fans (the record was the aforementioned 37,000 fans at the Fulham match). In a very controversial move, the board of directors decided to sell the ground in 1997 for £7.5 million (and was actually sold again within a year, for a whopping £22 million), although the club didn’t receive much, if any, from the sale. Later it turned out that the then-owners were deeply in debt and had sold the Goldstone for that reason. After the sale, they played at Priestfield Stadium for a few years before renting Withdean Stadium, which was surprisingly once a zoo!
Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Modern Football
Nowadays (and 34 years since they last played in it) Albion has returned to the top fight! Those 34 years have been a wild ride for both the players and supporters, and despite two world wars, a controversial and soul-crushing loss of their stadium and many years of misery dropping through the leagues, their dedication and determination shone through in the end. Although Brighton is not currently involved in the Champions League games, they continue to focus on developing a strong squad, strategic gameplay, and fostering talent has garnered them a growing fan base and admiration within the football community. The future is exciting for the Seagulls, as their fan base continues to grow, they continue to make smart signings and play passionately.
Conclusion:
It has been a truly inspirational journey of Brighton & Hove Albion FC from its origins to its current status. Their fans are dedicated and full of camaraderie, and the level of team spirit is unparalleled. It’s important to remember and celebrate the rich history and origins of a football club, as it really allows you to tap into the heart of the club.
