.......if the Albion make the play-off final it will be exactly thirty years and one day since the 1983 Cup Final replay and 21 years, eleven months, 3 weeks and 6 days since their last appearance at Wembley

 

The Albion have not played Palace in a knock out competition since February 1991. They lost 2-0 at home. In the Zenith Data Systems (Full Members) Cup

 

Albion didn't lose to Palace between the 7th October 1978 to the 29th March 1986.

One of the first pre season friendlies at Albion's temporary home at Priestfield in 1997 was against Crystal Palace. Palace fans sang where's the Goldstone gone'?

 

In August 1982 Albion swapped Gary Williams for Palace's Neil Smillie.

9 months later, Smillie played for the Albion in what was then the biggest match in world football, the FA Cup Final.

 

The rivalry between the two clubs (and a fan old enough to know, not just know better, asked me about it on the train on Saturday) started in a Brighton pub, the Bosun in West Street. To rival the Croydon chant of 'Eagles' the regulars came up with the 'Seagulls' this has stuck and is much better than the Dolphins!! Or the Brovians.

The rivalry was further whipped up by the thrice played 1976 FA Cup First Round match in which referee Ron Challis made his name.

 

A referee called Kelvin Morton gave five penalties in a game between the two clubs at Selhurst Park in April 1989.

 

Stanford Infants school in Brighton has a Palace class. My own son went to school singing we hate Palace (class) on the 18th March 2013. I don't know where he got it from.

 

This is only the third time Albion have been involved with the play-offs since their introduction in 1987.

Losing the old second division final (2nd tier) in 1991 and winning the new second division final in 2004 (third tier)

Keith Hackett refereed his one and only match at the Goldstone in May 1991 in the semi- final home leg against Millwall. Hackett was quoted as saying he had an enjoyable weekend in Brighton (Hove actually)

 Stephen Dobbie cannot play for Crystal Palace in the play-offs.

 Nor can he play for the Albion.

The last time Albion hosted a 2nd leg play off semi final at home there was a thunder and lightening storm and torrential down pour at Withdean.

In that match against Swindon Town , Brighton born Adam Virgo , became and all time Albion hero by heading an equaliser 121 mins and 20 seconds into the match. Virgo also scored a penalty in the shoot out. That saw Albion win.

In 2004 BBC Sussex commentator and life long Swindon fans Andrew Hawes declined to cover the Seagulls v Robins semi final.

Although he was more than happy to report on the Seagulls showdown in the final with west country rivals Bristol City 

The most recent  incumbent commentator Johnnie Cantor is not thought to have any such allegiance.

 

Albion finished an agonising 7th place in League 1 in 2008. Missing out on a play -off place. The club brought in ex boss Micky Adams to secure promotion the next season. The Albion avoided relegation on the last day of the season.

Away goals don't usually count as double in the play-offs

 

 

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