What was your first Albion game and what do you remember about it?
12th February 1969. Brighton beat Walsall 3-0 in the old Third Division and Alex Dawson scored twice. At the end of the game, I was one of several young boys who ran onto the pitch (as was the custom then) to give our players a pat on the back. But Dawson had disappeared down the tunnel by the time I got to the departing players from the East Terrace and I had to be content with congratulating the Walsall no 9, Dave Wilson, instead!
Who was your first Albion idol?
So many to choose from but the first was Willie Irvine. He scored some great goals in the 1971-72 promotion season, including that amazing televised net-buster against Aston Villa at the Goldstone and, at the end of the season, I went to watch him play in Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win over England at Wembley.
Your favourite game and why?
I’d have to say the 1983 FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday at Highbury. What a day. What an atmosphere. Having started watching the Albion as an also-ran Third Division side, I never expected to see Brighton in the FA Cup Final as long as I lived. But that win meant it was going to happen. The Cup Final itself was special but that semi was incredible.
Which season stands out?
Again, plenty to choose from in 50 years, but I’d probably go back to the one in which I first saw Albion win promotion: 1971-72. The bumper crowd packed into the Goldstone for the decisive last game, a 1-1 draw against Rochdale, and the scenes afterwards, remain vivid in the memory.
And your favourite shirt?
My favourite Albion home shirt was the Skint-sponsored one worn between 2002-04. The best away shirt was the blue and black-striped one Liam Brady chose to emulate the kit of his former Italian club, Inter Milan.
And your all-time Albion XI?
Peter Grummitt; Bruno, Steve Foster, Mark Lawrenson, Wayne Bridge; Jimmy Case, Peter O’Sullivan, Tony Towner, Clive Walker; Peter Ward, Bobby Zamora.