The lowly gate was less than half the 26,235 that swelled the Goldstone in the previous season’s opener against Crystal Palace.*
Just like then, though, this match ended in victory for Peter Taylor’s Brighton side, with all goals in the first half. Albion lost their next two home games in the Football League against Cardiff and Walsall, before surprising the doomsayers by winning their next 14 matches.
Boosted by the goals of Fred Binney, this outstanding run up to March 1976 took the Dolphins (which was the club nickname) to the edge of promotion. However, poor late form meant Brighton’s hopes petered out by finishing fourth.*
LATEST NEWS FROM*SEAGULLS.CO.UK
Brighton 1. Peter Grummitt- One of the best keepers in Albion history, ever-present throughout 1975/76.2. Ken Tiler- Right-back who never scored for the Albion despite 130 league appearances.
3. Harry Wilson- A signing from Burnley. Another ever-present player in the campaign.
4. Phil Beal- An impressive debut for the former Spurs star, running the midfield alongside Machin.
5. Steve Piper- Young defender who had was famously given a second chance despite breaking into the Goldstone Ground in an unruly birthday celebration at the end of the 1973/74 season.
6. Graham Winstanley- Club captain who was to be troubled by injury for much of the season.
7. Tony Towner- Supplied a swift cross for Martin’s header on 40 minutes.
8. Ernie Machin- Looked back to full match fitness after an injury-plagued 1973/74 season. Smashed in a twice-taken free-kick on 14 minutes.
9. Fred Binney- Nonchalantly put Albion in the lead in the third minute, making the most of confusion amongst Rotherham’s defenders.
10. Neil Martin- A recruit from Forest, giving Brighton much needed aerial power upfront.
11. Peter O’Sullivan- Sully nursed a bruised ankle that kept him out of the following match, a 2-1 League Cup defeat at Brentford.
Rotherham
1. Jim McDonough- This keeper went on to play for Bolton against Brighton in the Seagulls’ first-ever win in top-flight football, a 3-1 victory in 1979.
*
2. Michael Leng- Homegrown lad born in Rotherham, reaching 101 league appearances for the Millers by the end of the campaign.
3. John Brecklin- Full-back who scored the club’s first league goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with eventual champions Hereford.
4. Barrie Wagstaff- Experienced midfielder previously with Reading and Sheffield United.
5. Paul Stancliffe- A 17-year-old debutant headed against the post during the game. He was still going strong in 1989/90, playing for Sheffield United in their memorable 5-4 defeat of Brighton.
6. Tommy Spencer- Versatile player comfortable in defence or midfield. Scored in the return fixture against Brighton, a 1-1 draw in April 1976.
7. Richard Finney- Should have scored, but volleyed well over in the first half. Did get 11 league goals in 1975/76, making him the club’s top scorer.
8. Trevor Phillips- Hit four of his six goals in two consecutive matches in November 1975, against Walsall and Shrewsbury.
9. Richard Habbin- Although just 5ft 7in tall, he led the forward line well, and scored seven league goals that season.
10. Jimmy Goodfellow- Club captain signed from Workington in 1974.
11. Alan Crawford- The club’s penalty taker, scoring two of his seven in the league season from the spot.
[h=3]ALBION V ROTHERHAM UNITED*
[/h]TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V CARDIFF CITY*
[/h]SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V BRISTOL CITY
[/h]TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
Original article
Just like then, though, this match ended in victory for Peter Taylor’s Brighton side, with all goals in the first half. Albion lost their next two home games in the Football League against Cardiff and Walsall, before surprising the doomsayers by winning their next 14 matches.
Boosted by the goals of Fred Binney, this outstanding run up to March 1976 took the Dolphins (which was the club nickname) to the edge of promotion. However, poor late form meant Brighton’s hopes petered out by finishing fourth.*
LATEST NEWS FROM*SEAGULLS.CO.UK
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Brighton 1. Peter Grummitt- One of the best keepers in Albion history, ever-present throughout 1975/76.2. Ken Tiler- Right-back who never scored for the Albion despite 130 league appearances.
3. Harry Wilson- A signing from Burnley. Another ever-present player in the campaign.
4. Phil Beal- An impressive debut for the former Spurs star, running the midfield alongside Machin.
5. Steve Piper- Young defender who had was famously given a second chance despite breaking into the Goldstone Ground in an unruly birthday celebration at the end of the 1973/74 season.
6. Graham Winstanley- Club captain who was to be troubled by injury for much of the season.
7. Tony Towner- Supplied a swift cross for Martin’s header on 40 minutes.
8. Ernie Machin- Looked back to full match fitness after an injury-plagued 1973/74 season. Smashed in a twice-taken free-kick on 14 minutes.
9. Fred Binney- Nonchalantly put Albion in the lead in the third minute, making the most of confusion amongst Rotherham’s defenders.
10. Neil Martin- A recruit from Forest, giving Brighton much needed aerial power upfront.
11. Peter O’Sullivan- Sully nursed a bruised ankle that kept him out of the following match, a 2-1 League Cup defeat at Brentford.
Rotherham
1. Jim McDonough- This keeper went on to play for Bolton against Brighton in the Seagulls’ first-ever win in top-flight football, a 3-1 victory in 1979.
*
2. Michael Leng- Homegrown lad born in Rotherham, reaching 101 league appearances for the Millers by the end of the campaign.
3. John Brecklin- Full-back who scored the club’s first league goal of the season in a 1-1 draw with eventual champions Hereford.
4. Barrie Wagstaff- Experienced midfielder previously with Reading and Sheffield United.
5. Paul Stancliffe- A 17-year-old debutant headed against the post during the game. He was still going strong in 1989/90, playing for Sheffield United in their memorable 5-4 defeat of Brighton.
6. Tommy Spencer- Versatile player comfortable in defence or midfield. Scored in the return fixture against Brighton, a 1-1 draw in April 1976.
7. Richard Finney- Should have scored, but volleyed well over in the first half. Did get 11 league goals in 1975/76, making him the club’s top scorer.
8. Trevor Phillips- Hit four of his six goals in two consecutive matches in November 1975, against Walsall and Shrewsbury.
9. Richard Habbin- Although just 5ft 7in tall, he led the forward line well, and scored seven league goals that season.
10. Jimmy Goodfellow- Club captain signed from Workington in 1974.
11. Alan Crawford- The club’s penalty taker, scoring two of his seven in the league season from the spot.
[h=3]ALBION V ROTHERHAM UNITED*
[/h]TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V CARDIFF CITY*
[/h]SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 3PM
[h=3]ALBION V BRISTOL CITY
[/h]TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBER, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
Original article