Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton and Hove Albion were founded back in 1901 and have had a rollercoaster of a ride during their 112-year history. The club currently play at the AMEX Stadium; the 30,750 capacity ground became their home in 2011 after countless years at the somewhat derelict Withdean Stadium.  

The golden age of the seaside club came between 1979-1983, when they played in the top division of English football and managed to reach the FA Cup final in 1983. The FA Cup final was particularly heart-breaking for the club's fans. They were drawing 2-2 with Manchester United and the ball fell at the feet of Gordon Smith, who looked odds on to score with the last kick of the game. His shot, though, was saved, and United won the replay 4-0. They have won League One three times and League Two twice.

In a tale all too familiar with most clubs, Brighton struggled financially and nearly went bust. The darkest time for the club was in 1997 when the board sold Goldstone Park, their stadium since 1901, in order to stave off debt collectors. In 1997 the club were 13 points adrift at the bottom of League Two, and relegation seemed a certainty. However, following the appointment of Steve Gritt, the club improved and a late goal on the last day of the season saw them remain in League football at the expense of Hereford. 
Dick Knight bought the club and stabilised its finances and the club is now owned by Tony Bloom and are looking in very good shape.

Notable Brighton players include England international Bobby Zamora, who scored 70 goals in 119 appearances, before being signed by Tottenham for £1.5million in 2003. Striker Craig Mackail-Smith is the club's record signing after he joined the club for £3million in 2011. Former manager Gus Poyet, meanwhile, coaxed Spanish star Vincente to the club in 2011. The former Valencia player was an unused substitute in the 2001 Champions League final, but he did play in the 2004 Uefa Cup final.

Brighton hotly contests the M23 derby with Crystal Palace. This rivalry came about in an FA Cup tie when the referee, Ron Challis, ordered Brighton to retake a successful penalty due to Palace's players encroaching. The retaken penalty was missed and Palace won the game 1-0. Since then the rivalry has grown more and more intense. 

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