Brighton and Hove Albion are the best football in Sussex. Sorry, Crawley Town fans, it’s just a simple fact. Speaking of facts, here’s an awesome list of football trivia treasures every Seagulls fan should know!

1. They formed in 1901

The team formed in the summer of 1901 and played in the Southern League at first. They made it to the then First Division in 1979 and played a few seasons before being relegated in 1983. The team now play in the Premier League!

2. Their fiercest rivals are Crystal Palace

These two teams are bitter rivals and play what’s known as the M23 Derby, named after the motorway which connects the two teams. These fixtures are always noisy!

3. They’ve had three grounds

Brighton have spent most of their history playing at the Goldstone Ground until 1997. The team briefly played at the Withdean Stadium (which used to be a zoo) and then settled at the Falmer Stadium in 2011. It has a capacity of 31,876!

4. They haven’t won any major trophies… yet

The men’s team haven’t won any major trophies, but have won the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup 15 times and the FA Charity Shield once, in 1910.

5. Their women’s team formed in 1967

Brighton & Hove Albion WFC were originally known as Brighton GPO, because many of the players worked for the Post Office’s telephone department. They teamed with the men’s club in 1990 and now play in the Women’s Super League, playing home games at the Broadfield Stadium in Crawley.

6. They’re nicknamed the Seagulls… but were known as the Dolphins for a bit

In the mid 1970s, the team were nicknamed the Dolphins, due to the animal appearing on the then town’s crest! During a game with Crystal Palace, their opponents fans chanted ‘Eagles’ at the fans, who responded with ‘Seagulls’ and their new nickname was born. Sorry, dolphins.

7. They played in a European competition for the first time in 2023

After finishing 6th in the 2022-23 Premier League, Brighton qualified for European football for the first time in their history. In September 2023, the team played their first Europa League game in a fixture with AEK Athens, but lost 3-2.

8. Tommy Cook is the club’s highest goalscorer

Tommy Cook is Brighton’s best-ever goalscorer. In 209 appearances spanning seven years (1922-29), the Sussex-born striker hit the net 123 times! He managed the club for a brief time after the Second World War, too. Tommy was also a great cricket player and represented his home country 460 times, scoring 20,198 runs!

9. They reached the FA Cup Final in 1983

After a rubbish season which saw them relegated, Brighton fans had something to cheer about when they reached the final of the FA Cup for the first time in 1983. After drawing 2-2 with Manchester United, the team were walloped 4-0 in the replay days later.

10. They’ve been a Premier League team since 2017

The team were placed second in the Championship during the 2016-17 season and were automatically promoted to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history. The Seagulls have, ahem, enjoyed top flight football ever since!

11. Older fans remember when the club had to play in Gillingham

Due to money problems, the team had to sell their Goldstone ground and play their home matches at Priestfield stadium in Gillingham – that’s 70 miles away – for two seasons in the late 1990s. Soon after, they were able to play at Withdean Stadium in Brighton, making it far easier for fans to travel to home games!

12. Lewis Dunk has played more Brighton matches than anyone else

Brighton-born defender Lewis Dunk has made over 400 appearances for the club, and started his senior career in 2010. He scored a goal during his 400th game for the team, heading an equaliser against Everton in February 2024!

13. Their mascots have links with the coast

The team’s flightless mascots are two big seagulls Gully and Sally. A third mascot, named Sammy, is no longer part of the mascot staff for reasons we do not know. Maybe they swooped on a bag of hot chips during a match day afternoon?

14. They were the only League team in Sussex until 2011

Brighton and Hove Albion were the county’s only league team until 2011, when Crawley Town were promoted to the Football league! The West Sussex side’s nickname, like Manchester United, is the Red Devils!

15. Brazil’s João Pedro is the club’s record signing

Brazilian attacker João Pedro – full name: João Pedro Junqueira de Jesus – signed from Watford in 2023 for an estimated £30 million, making him the club’s most expensive player. He made his senior international debut against Colombia on November 16, 2023.