IN FOCUS: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

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We take a closer look at our opposition for the upcoming Premier League season

2023-06-23T09:00:00.000Z

IN FOCUS: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

We take a closer look at our opposition for the upcoming Premier League season

2023-06-23T09:00:00.000Z

We take a closer look at our opposition for the upcoming Premier League season

Brighton & Hove Albion

The Seagulls, who this season will compete in Europe for the first time ever, were founded in 1901 and elected into The Football League’s newly-formed Third Division 19 years later.

Promoted to the Second Division in 1958, Albion survived for four years before back-to-back relegations saw them fall into the Fourth Division. By 1972, they were back into the second tier.

Top flight status was eventually achieved in 1979. The 1982/83 was mixed for the Seagulls as they were relegated and also reached the FA Cup final, which they lost 4-0 in a replay to Manchester United.

By the late 1990s, Brighton were back in the fourth tier and in 1997 they came close to relegation from the Football League altogether before a takeover saved the club from liquidation.

Back-to-back promotions in 2001 and 2002 would see Brighton back in the second tier, before a yo-yo with the third tier ultimately saw the Seagulls spend five campaigns in League One.

2025/25 OPPOSITION FOCUS: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION - Image 1

Promoted into the Championship in 2011, coinciding with a move to the Amex Stadium, Brighton eventually went on to get promoted to the Premier League in 2017 and ended a 34-year absence from the top flight in the process.

Remaining there ever since, the 2022/23 campaign saw them qualify for the UEFA Europa League, which they will compete in this term under boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Stadium: The American Express Community Stadium (31,800) – Village Way, Brighton and Hove, BN1 9BL

Nickname(s): The Seagulls, The Albion

Manager: Roberto De Zerbi

2022/23 finishing position: 6th

2022/23 top scorer (all competitions): Alexis Mac Allister (12)

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Played for both:

Ashley Barnes – The striker joined Albion on loan from Plymouth in January 2010, before making it a permanent move that summer. Barnes made a total of 170 appearances on the south coast over four-and-a-half seasons scoring 53 goals. The Bath-born forward then moved to Burnley in 2014 and spent nine-and-a-half years at Turf Moor scoring 54 goals in 293 matches. Barnes scored in his final game for the Club against Cardiff City last season before joining Norwich City in May.

Dale Stephens – Bolton-born Stephens moved to Brighton from Charlton Athletic in 2014. The midfielder made 223 appearances for the Seagulls and helped the side secure promotion to the Premier League in 2016. Stephens joined the Clarets in 2020 and featured 14 times over two seasons with the Club.

Gifton Noel-Williams – The forward signed for Burnley on a free transfer ahead of the 2005/06 from Stoke City. Noel-Williams spent the second half of that season on loan at Brighton where he scored twice in seven appearances. The London-born striker then left Turf Moor for Real Murcia following seven goals in 56 matches for the Clarets.

Full record against (competitive): P – 39, W – 12, D – 15, L - 12

Last time we met: 19.02.2022 – Brighton 0-3 [Weghorst, Brownhill, Lennon] Burnley (PL)

Last win against: Above

2023/24 Fixtures: H - 13/04/2024 / A – 09/12/2023