It is ten years since Albion played their final game at Withdean, which had been their home since 1999.
A crowd of 8,416 had come to party with the League One title already wrapped up and the game itself, a 3-2 defeat to Huddersfield, was largely irrelevant.
There was a lot not to like about the Theatre of Trees, but for a generation of fans Withdean was the place where they fell in love with the club. It was often cold and wet and the pitch was surrounded by an athletics track but, after the club had been exiled at Gillingham for two years following the sale of the Goldstone, at least it was in Brighton.
5: Albion 4, Dagenham & Redbridge 3
In one of the final games played at the Theatre of Trees in 2011, Albion clinched promotion back to the Championship after this seven-goal thriller. Albion trailed 1-0 and 3-2 before Liam Bridcutt’s thunderbolt levelled it and Ashley Barnes, watched from the stands by his expectant wife, got the winner to spark the first of many celebrations that month.
4: Albion 6, Mansfield Town 0
The first League game at Withdean on a scorching-hot August afternoon in 1999 and Albion rose to the occasion. Brighton-born Darren Freeman grabbed a hat-trick on his debut for Micky Adams’ side with Aidan Newhouse (2) and Rod Thomas completing the rout. “It was a dream come true for me as a local lad,” said Freeman.
3: Albion 2 Manchester City 2 (Albion won 5-3 on penalties)
Following their takeover by mega-rich Middle East owners a few days earlier, City could claim to be the wealthiest club in the world and their star-studded squad were expected to progress comfortably against an Albion side who had just lost to nine-man Walsall in the League. But Glenn Murray equalised, Joe Anyinsah put Albion in front in extra time and although City took it to penalties, Michel Kuipers pulled off a crucial save to deny Michael Ball before Matt Richards beat Kasper Schmeichel to send Albion into the third round of the Carling Cup and spark a pitch invasion.
2: Albion 1, Chesterfield 0
Albion and Chesterfield had been locked in a battle for the League Two title for much of the 2000-01 season. There had been controversy when the teams had met at Saltergate and Charlie Oatway had been sent off in a Chesterfield victory but by the time of the return fixture the Spireites had been deducted nine points for financial irregularities. The title was put beyond any doubt with a champions’ performance, as Danny Cullip’s second-half header ensured Albion topped the pile.
1: Albion 1, Swindon Town 2
No defeat at Withdean was celebrated like this one. In the 2004 League One play-offs Albion won 1-0 at the County Ground but slick Swindon dominated the second leg and looked to be on their way to the final thanks to goals from Sam Parkin and Rory Fallon. But in the final minute of extra time Adam Virgo’s header sent the tie to penalties, which Albion won 4-2 after Ben Roberts saved from Tommy Mooney and Andy Gurney hit the woodwork. Boss Mark McGhee apologised to his opposite number Andy King when the final whistle blew. “Were we lucky? You betcha,” admitted McGhee. Albion fans who streamed onto the pitch didn’t care. They were on their way to Cardiff, and eventually the Championship.