A five-a-side team comprised of legendary Brighton & Hove Albion and Rotherham United players over the years.David Stockdale (goalkeeper)
Albion’s current first-choice keeper began his career at York City, playing under ex-Brighton midfielder Billy McEwan. After being released by City, David moved to Darlington, making 40 League appearances before joining Fulham on a two-year contract in June 2008. However, he returned to League Two after joining Rotherham United on a one-month loan in November.* After making his Millers debut in a 2-0 defeat to Bradford City, Stockdale made a decisive contribution in the next match, a 1-1 draw with Exeter City. This included a penalty save from Ben Watson and a late save against future Seagulls winger Ryan Harley. His loan spell was extended until mid-January 2009. He also had loan spells with Leicester, Plymouth, Ipswich and Hull City before signing for the Seagulls in July 2014.
Ken Tiler (defender)
At a time when the Goldstone was short of class, this right-back was signed from Chesterfield by Peter Taylor in November 1974 and valued at £45,000 in a deal that took Billy McEwan and Ronnie Welch in the opposite direction. Ken settled quickly, showing the kind of form and know-how that steered Brighton away from the drop zone in the New Year. With the side being rapidly rebuilt by Taylor, things were on the up. Together with Harry Wilson on the other flank, the two full-backs are best remembered for their roles in the promotion near-miss of 1975/76 and then, a year later, when Brighton finished as runners-up. In the Second Division, Tiler started the first 16 League matches before suddenly being dropped in favour of Chris Cattlin. In January 1978, he asked for a transfer but was restored for the final seven matches of the season. He joined Rotherham in a £15,000 deal in July 1979, making 46 League appearances for the Millers.
Tony Grealish (midfielder)
This Irishman was not so popular with fans when he was signed from Luton Town for more than £100,000 by new manager Mike Bailey in July 1981. The tenacious midfielder was not in the best of form in his first season, and he had the difficult job of replacing ex-skipper and crowd favourite Brian Horton who found his way to Tony’s previous employers, Luton. Over time, Grealish won over his detractors with his steely determination in breaking up opposition attacks, supplying colleagues with the ball and occasional forays upfield. He was the engine of the side. In place of suspended captain Steve Foster, he went on to captain Brighton at the FA Cup Final in 1983. He joined Rotherham on a free transfer in August 1987, after spells with West Brom and Manchester City. In total, he made 110 League appearances for the Millers over three seasons.
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Alan Gilliver (striker)
A tall, ungainly striker who provided nuisance value up front. Scored 22 goals in 46 League games for Huddersfield, before joining Blackburn in a £30,000 deal in 1966. However, £12,000 of this had to be returned to Rovers as it became apparent Gilliver had a slipped disc. Earmarked as a replacement for Charlie Livesey, he was signed by Freddie Goodwin for Brighton from Rotherham in July 1969 on a free transfer. While not particularly skillful, he impressed as top scorer with 16 goals in 1969/70, being in the right place at the right time. He scored eight times in 1970/71. One of these was the winner at Halifax in September before Albion went on a barren spell of six games without a goal. He Joined Lincoln in February 1971 with Brighton receiving around £10,000.Tony Towner (winger)
‘Tiger’ got his nickname from Albion striker Alan Duffy who had got fouled by Tony in training. Towner went on to be fondly remembered by both Albion and Rotherham supporters for his speed and tenacity. He made his Brighton debut in a 2-0 victory over Luton in February 1973, eventually making 183 appearances for his home town club. After a spell with Millwall, this winger joined Rotherham in August 1980, going on to spend three superb seasons at Milmoor. What is less known is that actor Leo Dolan played the role of ex-footballer Tony Towner on children’s television in 1996. The episode, ‘Football Heroes’ was part of BBC TV’s ‘Chucklevision’ series starring those two Millers fans Paul and Barry Chuckle getting mistaken for former Rotherham players Tony and Ronnie Moore.
Jack Mansell (manager)
A left-winger by trade, Mansell made 122 appearances for Brighton between 1949 and 1952, after a successful conversion to left-back. His speed, strong tackling and powerful shot really caught the eye at the Goldstone and he moved to First Division Cardiff City in a £15,000 deal in October 1952. However, his playing career was largely overshadowed by an illustrious career as a coach. He managed Rotherham United in 1965 and went on to take charge of the Bahrain international side in 1975 and the Israeli side in 1980. His recommendations led to Brighton signing Israeli internationals Moshe Gariani and Jacob Cohen in 1980.
[h=3]ALBION V BOURNEMOUTH**
[/h]FRIDAY 10TH APRIL, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V HUDDERSFIELD*
[/h]TUESDAY 14TH APRIL, KICK-OFF 7.45PM
[h=3]ALBION V WATFORD**
[/h]SATURDAY 25TH APRIL, KICK-OFF 12.15PM
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