By Tim Hodges
Thirty years on from their famous 1983 FA Cup run, the Albion have again been drawn at home to Newcastle United in the 3rd round.
The game will be shown live on ITV1 on Saturday 5 January, with a 12.30pm kick-off. It is the first time that Albion have appeared live on national terrestrial television since Sunday 29 January 1984 when they beat Liverpool 2-0 at the Goldstone also in the FA Cup.
Of course the Seagulls have appeared in world’s greatest knock-out cup competition numerous times on satellite TV, with the most recent being the 6-1 drubbing away at Liverpool in February.
They lost on penalties 17 years ago to Fulham live on Sky Sports when Fulham’s goalkeeper Tony Lange scored the decisive kick.
They beat Rushden & Diamonds in the 2nd round at Withdean back in 2002 live on Sky and of course Newcastle last January on ESPN. In fact the Disney-backed channel showed an Albion game in every round until the Seagulls were knocked out.
Last year Trelford Mills who refereed Albion’s 3rd round replay back at Newcastle in ’83 gave Brighton and Hove News an exclusive interview about his memories of one of the most infamous matches in FA Cup history.
Mr Mills disallowed two Newcastle goals at the famous Gallowgate end in a match which set Albion on the road to Wembley.
In May 1983 Brighton and Hove went FA Cup crazy with almost every man, woman and child becoming Seagulls fans. Shops, pubs and offices throughout the two towns were adorned in Albion colours.
Thirty years on the Albion are back on the trail of what John Vinicombe described as “the most precious prize in sport”.
