Club news

Five Albion Players Receive Debut Balls

By Kieran Cleeves • 20 April 2018

Five Brighton & Hove Albion players were presented with special presentation cases earlier today, to recognise making their debuts in the Premier League this season.

The Premier League makes a presentation of the ‘Debut Ball’ to all home-grown players that play their first fixture in England’s top flight - and Lewis Dunk, Connor Goldson, Dale Stephens, Solly March and Sam Baldock were all recognised for their achievements.

Dunk, March and Stephens made their Premier League debuts against Manchester City on the opening day of the season, while Goldson and Baldock made theirs against Watford and West Bromwich Albion respectively.

March was delighted to receive his ‘Debut Ball’ and reflected on the journeys taken en route to arriving in the Premier League.

He said, “Getting an award like this, alongside players who have helped us get to the Premier League, makes it a bit more special.

“I’ve been here through the academy like Lewis, but all of us have come through English academies, which makes it more significant.

“It’s great to receive something like this, it’s a great memento for me and hopefully a nice trophy to start off my Premier League career.”

Dunk, who has played every minute of Premier League football for the Seagulls this season, commented on the difficulty of his debut against Manchester City, but also the pride he felt at the Amex Stadium.

He said, “It was a great feeling to finally get there, and to play against a side like that, it was an amazing day and a very proud one that I’d dreamt of for a long time.

“We got chucked in at the deep end against Manchester City - they’ve been the best team in the Premier League, so it was a very tough one and [Sergio] Aguero has probably been the hardest opponent for me.”

Finally, Goldson highlighted the main difference between Championship and Premier League football - following his debut in Albion’s 1-0 victory over Watford in December.

He said, “People seem to take their chances more often at this level. It’s usually just one chance and you’ve conceded a goal.

“There are better finishers, and the main difference is in the penalty areas. There are better defenders at one end and people that can score goals at the other.”