It was a strange season on the South Coast that initially promised so much but ultimately delivered little more than a sigh of relief and hope for the next one.
It all started somewhat suprpisingly back in May 2008 when Micky Adams was installed as manager in place of Dean Wilkins who had just led the side to within a place of the play offs.
Although returning saviour Adams was welcomed back with open arms by the majority of supporters,there were some who voiced discontent at the way Wilkins had been treated.
Micky immediately set about strengthening the side and after signing what looked to be
some shrewd acquisitions, such as David Livermore, Kevin Mcleod and Adam Virgo and together with the ever-looming pot of gold at Falmer there was strong talk of play offs and promotion.
It couldn’t have started better either, a first win at Crewe, in what has seemed like a lifetime, set the ball rolling nicely. This was swiftly follwed by a 4-0 Carling cup mauling of Barnet, a draw at home to Bristol Rovers and an away win at Southend which saw the Seagulls briefly top the table for the first and only time.
A disappointing bore draw with Orient was the only real blip in what had been a very good first month for the side….but things were about to take a slide.
The high flying Seagulls were bought back down to earth a bump in September when they were outclassed at home to Scunthorpe in a 4-1 defeat and the poor home form continued with an appalling loss against Wallsall who still emerged victorious despite having 2 players sent off.
Two away draws at Yeovil and Northampton kept the away record undented and maintained an air of respectibilty.
The highlight of the month and indeed,quite possibly the season however was in the Carling Cup.
Premiership side Manchester City had just come under Arabic ownership and instantly became the worlds richest club, the gulf in wealth was enormous, but when the sides met at the Withdean it was the Albion who triumphed on penalties,causing one of the competitions biggest upsets.
It was an enormous scalp for the Sussex side which should have seen them use it as a launchpad for a promotion challenge…but for some bizarre reason it seemed to have the opposite effect.
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