A five-a-side team comprised of legendary Brighton & Hove Albion and Blackpool players over the years.
Simon Steele (Goalkeeper)
He is now a Detective Constable at Sussex Police. However, back in the summer of 1983, Steele was a promising 19-year-old goalkeeper who featured in all three matches of Albion’s pre-season tour of Majorca. As Graham Moseley was transfer-listed and Perry Digweed was injured, it was left to the youngster to perform the heroics in a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid. Steele made his one league appearance for the Seagulls against Leeds later that month, but the signing of Joe Corrigan spelled curtains for Steele’s first-team chances. Simon spent a month on loan at Blackpool before his release by Albion later on in 1983/84.Peter Suddaby (Defender)
As a Tangerines centre-back, ‘Suds’ was outpaced by Peter Ward for the opening goal in Brighton’s memorable 2-1 victory over Blackpool in April 1978. Even so, the defender is best remembered by Seagulls fans for his tremendous performances in an Albion shirt in 1979/80. Signed by Alan Mullery in November 1979 to bring strength and know-how, Suddaby did a great job organising the defence and dispelling fears of relegation. Famously, he used to go out with Maureen Nolan, one of the Nolan sisters, and recently got a mention in Coleen Nolan’s autobiography “No Regrets’!
Billy McEwan (Midfielder)
The Scot was Sheffield United manager from the start of the 1986/87 campaign. In the matchday programme for Brighton’s match at Bramall Lane in November 1986, Billy remarked: “For those who don’t know I used to play for Brighton. Brian Clough bought me when he was in charge there. He bought me because he said he wanted some Scottish steel in the side.” A fee of £14,000 brought McEwan and Paul Fuschillo from Blackpool to the Goldstone Ground in February 1974. Although he was made captain towards the end of his time with Albion, Billy’s stay on the south coast was brief. He left for Chesterfield that November after just 28 games.
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Eric Potts (Winger)
Once an amateur player at Blackpool, before turning out for Oswestry Town and Sheffield Wednesday, Potts is famous for his ‘super-sub’ tag earned at the Goldstone. He sensationally hit two goals in the last two minutes against Sunderland in February 1978 as Albion overturned a 1-0 deficit. Coming off the bench again, the flame-haired attacker also scored Brighton’s match-clinching goal in a vital 3-1 victory over promotion rivals Tottenham Hotspur in April 1978.Kit Napier (Striker)
Kit was a firm favourite at the Goldstone in the 1960s and 1970s, after turning professional with Blackpool in 1960. In the 1971/72 season, a hat-trick at Mansfield in August, and another at Rotherham the following game, took him within two of getting a hundred league goals. However, the goals suddenly dried up. A penalty against Bristol Rovers in September took Kit to 99 before another lean spell. In the Brighton v Shrewsbury matchday programme a month later, boss Pat Saward was moved to write: "Many people seem to be wondering why Kit Napier seems to be taking so long to score the goal which will bring his total in Football League matches to the 100 mark." No need to panic. Kit scored with a fine header, winning a magnum of champagne for his scoring feat.
Frank Buckley (Manager)
Not many players can claim to have played for Brighton as well as both the Manchester league clubs. Half-back Buckley achieved this in the early part of the last century, although he played just a single season at the Goldstone, making 34 appearances in 1905/06. After serving as a lieutenant in World War I, he rose to the rank of major and from then on became known as Major Buckley, perfect for a disciplinarian boss such as himself. In 1923, he led Blackpool to three top ten finishes in Division Two before managing Wolves to great acclaim from 1927.
[h=2]UPCOMING HOME FIXTURES[/h][h=3]ALBION V blackpool
[/h]saturday 20TH september, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V cardiff
[/h]TUESDAY 30th september, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]Albion v middlesbrough
[/h]saturDAY 18TH october, kick-off 3pm
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