Club news

Thanks For The Memories, Siddy

By Luke Nicoli • 14 May 2018

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Steve Sidwell is leaving the club after his contract comes to an end next month - which will conclude his second period with the Seagulls.

In two spells with Albion, Steve Sidwell made 68 appearances, scoring seven goals.

He made his first appearance for the club against Wolves in November 2002, having arrived on loan from Arsenal, and he went on to score five goals in 11 second-tier starts before joining Reading on a permanent deal from the Gunners in January 2003.

Sidwell’s career then took off as he led the Royals into the Premier League in 2005/06, following a number of inspired performances at the heart of midfield, and he remained a top-flight player for a decade, going on to play for Chelsea, Aston Villa, Fulham and Stoke City.

With his chances limited under Mark Hughes at the Potters, he returned to the Albion in January 2016, penning a loan deal until the end of the campaign.

Sidwell went on to make 18 Championship appearances that season as the Seagulls reached the Play-Off semi-finals and his solitary goal was a memorable last-minute effort at Nottingham Forest, which secured a vital three points in the race for promotion.

His form warranted a one-year permanent contract at the club that summer and he went on to make 37 appearances in all competitions last season as the side won promotion to the Premier League.

Again, he netted just the one goal and it’s a strike that will go down in Albion folklore – a long-range effort, with his wrong foot, which sailed over the head of Bristol City keeper Richard O’Donnell and into the back of the net – which set the Seagulls on their way to a 2-0 win at Ashton Gate.

Sidwell earned another one-year contract as the club embarked on its first Premier League campaign but it proved to be a frustrating time for the 35-year-old who suffered back and ankle injuries which ruled him out for the entire season.

With a career tally of 515 appearances and 63 goals to his name, Sidwell’s experience in the dressing room has still been invaluable throughout the past nine months and we wish him all the very best on his next career move.