In the those dark dark days of March and April 1997 it would be impossible to comprehend Albion’s current league position.
On the morning of the 26th April 1997 the Seagulls were 92nd out of 92 professional clubs in the league pyramid.
By teatime on that day they were level on points but ahead on goals scored, not goal difference with Hereford. By 5pm on April 1997 Albion were 91st, where they stayed.
In May 1998 Albion again finished in 91st – with Doncaster so woeful off and on the pitch as ‘Flockton Grey’ chairman Ken Richardson dismantled Rovers which allowed another very poor Albion team to maintain their football league status … just.
Brian Horton and Mickey Adams got Albion close to the playoffs on 1999 and 2000 – but Horton left for Port Vale and Albion under Jeff Wood plummeted dropped to 17th in League 2 at the end of the 1999 season despite being in the play off places in early January.
Adams team a started Albion’s upward trajectory on 19th February 2000 – although losing at Northampton Albion were sensational and nearly made the play-offs that season from an unpromising mid season position.
Of course Adam’s team went on to win back to back championships although he had left to replaced by Peter Taylor. The Seagulls finishing 69th in 2001 and 45th in 2002.
Albion finished 44th in 2003, straight back down only to come back up via the play offs in 2004.
In 2005 they managed a 41st place finish and maintained their championship status.
Relegated from the bottom of the Championship in 2006 the Seagulls flitted around mid table in league one for five or so years nearly being relegated to League two in 2009 with a 60th place finish.
Gus Poyet’s superstars won the League one championship with a 45th place finish in 2011.
The highest finish in 21 years was achieved in 2012 with a 32nd place.
Up to sixth in 2013 and an agonising 23rd place in 2016 finally Albion got promoted in 2017.
A very creditable 16th place in their first Premier League season followed by a nerve-jangling 17th in 2019.
Of course in his first season Roberto De Zerbi steered the Seagulls to A still barely believable SIXTH and Europa League qualification last May.
But on the 19th and 20th of August 2023 Brighton and Hove Albion who on the 25th April 1997 were ninety second in the League standings led and are top of the Premier League.
Barring a freak Monday night result, they will still be there on next Saturday (26 August) – some 22 years and 363 days after losing at home at Withdean to Kidderminster Harriers in League 2.
As a Brighton follower for many years I can hardly believe it they used to rent my flat when Alan mullary was manager I started watching Brighton when Jimmy Langley was captain the best player they ever had in my opinion was Peter ward you was happy to buy ticket just to watch him long may it continue
When I was at school the football team I played for (lancing Rangers) had a squad of around 40 kids and I was the only Brighton fan but this was In the mid 1990s as you explained it was during this period we were one of the worst teams in England. Today it’s like a completely different club and now have one of the best teams in the country and after a wait that took me from my school days to my late 20s we have one of the nicest stadiums in england. I would publicly thank Tony Bloom and what he has done for the club as I dread to think where the club would be without him.
Yes I was landlord of maytree pub use to get some player in and the stadium pub Peter ward visited as well ,my son was mascot .Now going great guns keep up the good football
I have been a brighton supporter for 70 years and I think we have the best 👌 team under manager Roberto in the league