Barry Lloyd 1949-2024

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Luke Nicoli

2024-09-28T13:30+01:00

Barry Lloyd's team came to within touching distance of promotion to the top-tier in 1991. 📷 by The Argus.

We are deeply saddened to report the passing of our former manager Barry Lloyd, aged 75.

Lloyd managed the club from January 1987 until December 1993 – a lengthy spell which yielded a Third Division promotion in 1987/88 and a Second Division play-off final, where the club stood just 90 minutes away from a return to the top flight.

Despite the backdrop of unprecedented financial turmoil at the club, Lloyd was heralded for unearthing a number of bargains in the transfer market, while sowing the seeds of a youth policy which would begin to bear fruit during his tenure.

Starting his playing career at Chelsea, where he made ten appearances, Hillingdon-born Lloyd moved to Fulham in January 1969, where he was a regular in midfield for six years. He skippered the Cottagers to promotion from Division Three in 1971 and made a total of 289 appearances before a switch to Hereford United in October 1976.

The following year he returned to the capital, helping Brentford to promotion from the Fourth Division before a move into management with Southern League outfit Yeovil Town in August 1978.

He arrived in Sussex as manager of Isthmian League Second Division side Worthing in the summer of 1981 – winning back-to-back titles. The Rebels were then pipped to promotion to what is now the National League on two occasions, but he had earned a reputation as one of the most sought-after managers in non-league football.

Barry Lloyd became Albion manager in 1987. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

In April 1986, Albion brought back Alan Mullery as manager with Peter Suddaby as his number two. Lloyd, a former Fulham colleague of the returning boss, was installed as reserve and youth-team coach, with the aiming of reshaping the club’s youth policy. He remained largely in the background until January 1987 when he was immediately appointed manager following Mullery’s departure, with the team sitting 15th in Division Two.

Sadly, he could not arrest the slide but following relegation, the 38-year-old rebuilt the team with a number of inspired signings, and guided the Seagulls to promotion at the first time of asking.

Albion managed to tread water for a couple of seasons, then in 1990/91 – inspired by further bargain buys – Lloyd’s side unexpectedly reached the Second Division Play-Off final. Sadly, Notts County proved too strong on the day and missing out on a place in the top flight would prove more costly than the manager could have envisaged.

With his hands tied by ever-spiralling debt, Albion were relegated the following season, but nobody could have fought harder to save the club. By now he was also managing director, responsible for the day-to-day running of the club as well as being coach to the players.

Following the ill-fated takeover by Bill Archer and Greg Stanley, David Bellotti was appointed chief executive, allowing Lloyd to focus fully on the team. He would remain in the role for three further weeks before parting ways with the club.

Yet his ties with the Albion did not end there, returning to the club as chief scout in September 2007, a role he fulfilled for a number of seasons until his retirement in June 2021.

Albion director Ray Bloom, who had a close working relationship with Barry, initially at Worthing and then with the Albion, paid the following tribute: “It’s an extremely sad day for the football club. I've known Barry since 1981 when I was running Worthing and he applied for the manager’s job. We went on to have great success under him and, as a result, he was very much sought after, being approached by a number of Football League clubs.

Barry won promotion to the second tier with Albion in 1988. 📷 by The Argus.

“He eventually came to Brighton, initially to work in the youth set-up under Alan Mullery, but once he became manager – during what was a difficult period off the pitch – he won a promotion and took us to the Second Division Play-Off final, which are both standout achievements in the club’s history.

“One of his greatest strengths was his ability to recognise players and bring them in for not a great deal of money. Players like John Byrne, Mike Small, Dean Wilkins coming back from Holland, others from Barnet… he was able to mould these players into such a successful unit.

“Aside from being an excellent coach, he was influencing the youth set-up throughout his time as manager, while off the pitch he was pretty much running the club, which is unheard of today.

“Barry, in his later role as chief scout, also had success and that came as no surprise to me, given his knowledge and eye for a player. Notably, he worked very closely with Dick Knight to bring Glenn Murray to the club and what a signing he turned out to be.

“Barry leaves behind a fine legacy from his time with Brighton & Hove Albion so this is, indeed, a sad day for everyone connected with the club.”

We extend our sincere condolences to Barry’s family and friends at this saddest of times. The players will be wearing black armbands at today’s game against Chelsea and there will be a tribute at next Sunday's home game against Tottenham Hotspur.