Brighton & Hove Albion are sad to report the passing of former fans’ favourite Kit Napier, aged 75.
The Scottish forward enlivened many a Goldstone afternoon in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his quick burst of pace and sleight of foot.
Arriving from Newcastle United for £8,000 in the summer of 1966, the 23-year-old netted twice on his debut against Peterborough United and the tone was set for his six years with the club.
Kit was top scorer in five of his six seasons and in 1967/68 he equalled Albert Munday’s post-war record of 28 goals – a fine achievement considering Albion were only a mid-table Third Division side at the time. He also netted 19 goals in the promotion season of 1971/72 – which would prove to be his last campaign with the club.
Napier left for Blackburn Rovers in August 1972, having scored 99 goals in 291 appearances, and his feats put him third in the list of the Seagulls’ all-time leading goalscorers behind Glenn Murray and Tommy Cook.
A true Albion great, our thoughts are with Kit’s family and friends at this very sad time.