Relegation battles

Brightons current battle against relegation isn’t thier first, we look at some of the
famous ones from that last 30 years…some more successful than others.

DIVISION 1 (PREMIERSHIP)

-Miracilously in their second season in the top flight in 1980/81, Brighton won last 4 games to complete great escape. They were not so lucky two years later in 1983 when were relegated with a game to spare. The blow was softened however as they had reached the cup final. The Seagulls have not returned to the top division since.


DIVISION 2 (DIVISION 1/CHAMPIONSHIP

-In a season which has mirrored this one, after the return of a legendary manager which went badly wrong the Seagulls were relegated in 1986/87, hopefully the ending wont be the same this time round!

Five years later in 1991/92 Brighton lost their 2nd division status when they were relegated after a defeat at Ipswich town, it was ironic as the previous season had seen them reach the play offs after defeating the Suffolk side in the final game. It would be their last game at this level for 10 years.

Back to back championship winning side Brighton spent just one season back in League 1 (as it was now known)in 2002/03. After a disasterous start which saw them win just 1 of their opening 14 games, they put a remarkable recovery and took it to the final day against Grimsby. Sadly the 2-2 draw was not enough so avoid the drop.

After bouncing back to the second tier again just 1 season later, this time via the play offs, the South coast club this time managed to maintain their championship (as it is now known) status by the skin of their teeth, with a final day draw against,ironically enough, Ipwich. Sadly, they couldn’t repeat the feat the following season and dropped tamely down a division.


DIVISION 3 (DIVISION 2/LEAGUE 1)

-Brightons only other 3rd tier battle against the drop in the last 30 years was not a successful one as they were relegated in 1995/96, it was at a time when matters on the pitch played second fiddle to the threat of the clubs future under the previous regime following the incomprehensible sale of The Goldstone Ground.


DIVISION 4 (DIVISION 3/LEAGUE 2)

-Just a year later in 1996/97,still against the backdrop of uncertainty surrounding the clubs future,the slide continued and they were battling to maintain their status as a league club. After being 12 points adrift and seemingly helpless at Christmas, the side somehow managed to turn it round under incomming manager Steve Gritt and pulled off the great escape in an unforgettable 1-1 draw at Hereford. Goalscorer Robbie Reinalt has since gone down in Albion folklore.It would take the Sussex side 4 years to get out of the basement division again.