Podcast: The Fall and Rise of Brighton & Hove Albion

My guest is Michael Hamlin, who runs the 80s90sFootball Twitter/X account, and runs a blog about football nostalgia. Michael and I discuss the fall and rise of Brighton & Hove Albion. We both stood on the terraces of the old Goldstone Ground and Michael followed the club in its nomadic period and recalls the hard-fought move to the AMEX.

Brighton is now an established Premier League club and even experienced European football for the first time in 2023/24.

In this podcast, we cover:

Brighton & Hove Albion’s journey: We discuss the club’s rise from the brink of extinction in the ’90s to its current position as a stable Premier League team and recent qualification for European football.

Historical context: We reminisce about the club’s early ’80s highs, including promotion to the First Division and reaching the FA Cup final in 1983, followed by its decline due to financial instability and relegation.

Goldstone Ground era: We talk about memorable matches at the Goldstone Ground, especially the 1991 FA Cup fourth-round replay against reigning league champions Liverpool, and described the unique features of the old stadium and its atmosphere.

Financial struggles and near extinction: Michael explains the club’s financial troubles in the 1990s, particularly the sale of the Goldstone Ground by the club’s owners and the mass fan protests against their actions.

Nomadic years: We look back at Brighton’s nomadic period, playing at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium and the Withdean Stadium, an athletics ground that was far from ideal for football.

The fight for Falmer Stadium: Michael talks us through the long battle to secure planning permission for the AMEX Community Stadium in Falmer, including fan campaigns and political manoeuvring to get the stadium approved.

AMEX Stadium: We discuss the architectural design of the AMEX Stadium, its aesthetic blend with the South Downs, and the transformation it brought to Brighton’s footballing journey after opening in 2011.

Rivalry with Crystal Palace: We explore the intense rivalry with Crystal Palace, tracing its origins back to the 1970s, and sharing memorable moments like the 2013 playoff defeat that reignited the animosity.

European football: Michael looks back at Brighton’s recent qualification for European competitions, reflecting on what it means for fans, especially those who experienced the club’s darker times.

Current season expectations: We discuss Brighton’s potential for the upcoming season, with hopes for a top-10 finish despite a challenging start, injuries, and a new, young manager.

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The podcast is sponsored by Pibe de Barrio, the on-the-ground football experts in Buenos Aires, helping you live the Argentine matchday experience.