Gerry Ryan in action against Nottingham Forest.
Image by: The Argus
In September at the City Ground, Gordon Smith opened his account for the season with a smart finish from a Jimmy Case cross. Astonishingly, the goal was even included in the Hollywood action movie ‘Forced Vengeance’, starring Chuck Norris. Forest scored in the 55th and 87th minute when Ken Burns and Ian Wallace both converted loose balls from close range to secure victory for the Reds.In the return fixture at the Goldstone in February, Peter Ward donned Forest colours and scored the only goal with a rare header. The season was hardly a vintage one for Brian Clough’s side, though, and Forest finished in 12th position in Division One, one place above the Seagulls. Nevertheless, for Mike Bailey’s Albion side, there was much to be satisfied with, not least the fact it was the club’s highest-ever finish in the Football League.
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Season’s highs and lowsAugust: Gerry Ryan is sent off on the opening day of the season, but the Seagulls hold newly-promoted West Ham United to a 1-1 draw at Upton Park.
September: Andy Ritchie’s winner at Wolves takes Brighton to fifth place, Albion’s highest-ever standing in Division One.
October: A marvellous 3-3 draw against Liverpool in the rain at the Goldstone is followed by the club’s first-ever victory at White Hart Lane, 1-0 against Tottenham Hotspur.
November: Mickey Thomas arrives as a £350,000 signing from Everton. Meanwhile, the Seagulls are rocked by a 4-1 defeat at Barnsley in the League Cup, despite Steve Gatting’s opener.
December: Andy Ritchie and Steve Gatting score as Brighton triumph 2-0 at the Dell against Southampton.
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January: After overcoming non-league Barnet in an FA Cup replay at the Goldstone, the Seagulls are humbled 3-0 at home by Oxford United in the fourth round.
February: A wonderful performance dismantles Everton 3-1 at the Goldstone, with Tony Grealish, Gerry Ryan and Steve Foster all on the scoresheet.
March: Andy Ritchie gives Albion a shock 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield.
April: Ritchie scores Brighton’s first-ever goal against Arsenal. The Seagulls also win for the first time against the Gunners, 2-1 at the Goldstone.
May: Despite a poor late run, which sees hopes of a UEFA Cup place dashed, Albion complete the double over Wolves with Michael Robinson and Sammy Nelson getting the goals at the Goldstone.
June: Steve Foster (England) and Sammy Nelson (Northern Ireland) are both selected for their country’s final squads for the World Cup in Spain.
Born on this day…
Inigo Calderon was born on 2nd January 1982, the day Brighton & Hove Albion drew 0-0 with Barnet at Underhill in the FA Cup third round.
[h=3]ALBION V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
[/h]SATURDAY 7Th FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V BIRMINGHAM
[/h]SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V LEEDS
[/h]TUESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 7:45PM
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