Two bakers. Three cups. A firework man. And as many managers as we can!

After the emotion charged free scoring return to Withdean in August 1999, the stadium was as new and strange to the Albion as it was to their opposition. Losses to Torquay, Orient and then to Plymouth in the cup stick in the memory. However the 3-4 reverse and probably the wettest night ever in Brighton, against Rochdale, will be remembered by many Albion fans. Not so much for the torrential rain and sleet, but for the sight of Jason Peake looking like a footballer.

It was tough for Mickey Adams after that game. It was rumoured he only had a few games to save his bacon.

The Albion stumbled on into the first few games of the noughties. They were beaten by again by Rochdale this time at Spotland and drew towards the end of the month at home to Darlington.

After losing at Hull in early February and losing out on Lorenzo Pinamonte, whose loan expired at the start of the month. The season looked pretty much over. Adams then arranged a replacement loan striker, the exotically named Bobby Zamora from Bristol Rovers. Most fans would have preferred the two-goals-in-eight-games Pinamonte. How little did we know.

The Albion were at one point in early spring, looking like a good outside bet for the play offs. That sadly petered out in to an 11th place finish. Zamora went back to cash strapped Bristol Rovers and the Albion signed Lee Steele from Shrewsbury in the close season. Mark (Dracula) Walton also left, for Cardiff, but after the Albion had let the long serving Mark Ormerod leave on a free.

Two new Goalkeepers were signed. Mark Cartwright and another Bristol Rovers player, again with an exotic name: a certain Michel Kuipers.

The signing of Kuipers was complemented just before the start of the season by the smash and grab capture of Zamora for the price of a decent two bed flat in Hove. This, with the already established Paul Rodgers as the engine and Danny Cullip as the rock at the back, formed the backbone of the team that would become arguably, the most successful in the history of Brighton and Hove Albion thus far.

After losing the much anticipated opener away at Southend, the ‘champions elect’ were then dumped in their place at Withdean by Kidderminster Harriers. Again, Adams was on the media rack.

Quite simply though, after thrashing Torquay at Withers in early September, the club never really looked back. As a fan you went to Withdean KNOWING it was 95% certain the Albion would win.

It was great. Teams were turning up and playing six at the back. The Albion won match after match home and away until a last minute loss at Chesterfield in October, a game in which Michel Kuipers proved his worth, a worth some (including me) were beginning to doubt.

It is easier to remember the losses, and another was against Southend on New Year’s Day 2001. On an almost unplayable pitch the same two scorers who had embarrassed Michel Kuipers and Mark Cartwright in August did it again, and by the same scoreline.

The Seagull’s juggernaut charged on into spring. Most of the country thought Zamora’s first name was ‘anothergoalfrom’. Peter Ward admits he had to get his big abacus out.

The ultimate goal now wasn’t promotion, by March that was all but secure. What we all wanted was the first trophy for 36 years. (Thanks to Gordon! New years resolution: I must let it go) The season culminated in a twice postponed home match against Chesterfield, which by the time it was played, if the Albion won, they would be Division 3 Champions. We all saw the excitable Andy Steggle peer under the covers to reveal the hoardings that stated ‘Brighton and Hove Albion Football League Division 3 Champions’.

During the following close season I recall receiving a letter suggesting that Swansea came straight back down from the old Div 2 after being promoted as they hadn’t spent enough on the playing side of the budget. A sort of, Hi Tim get yer wallet out, love Dick and Martin, type letter.

In the Racing Post, Ron Atkinson suggested that the Albion were a good bet for the 2nd Division title! Do behave, Ron. Mid table would command an open top bus tour.

After drawing the first game 0-0 away at Cambridge the club rocked on into the autumn and by October were top of the league. Mickey Adams left for Leicester and sacked Leicester boss Peter Taylor took over at the Albion.

Notable wins against Huddersfield Bournemouth and Bristol City followed, although only one league win in December dropped us to third.

The Falmer juggernaut was rolling on, although the Cuttress family, previously Albion fans, and owners of Forfar’s the bakers, started their ridiculous anti-stadium campaign. The mudslinging went on for the rest of the decade. After Will Packham finally took and threw away his chance in a evening third round cup tie in January, there was a thriller against Cambridge, then an ITV Digital (no chance if it’s raining) thrashing away at Brentford. A Thursday night victory over Cardiff made up January. Six points behind Reading at the top with a game in hand.

From March 1st onwards the Albion didn’t lose again, winning their second successive title at home to Swindon. Two in a row. An unthinkable achievement just five years earlier.

After waving and blowing kisses to the adoring Albion fans during the civic reception, and probably alarmed at just how much his assistant manager enjoyed dressing up as Freddie Mercury, Peter Taylor resigned from the Albion.

Tony Adams wanted it. Steve Coppell fell asleep whilst about to be offered it. Winifred Schafer accepted it then changed his mind. Martin Hinshelwood got it. “I may not be a big name but I am a long one.” Who wrote that Paul Camillin?

On August 10, 2002, the club played their first game in the second tier of English football for over 10 years. The Goldstone had gone, football league status had almost gone, thank gawd Bellotti and Archer had gone. But a few thousand Albion fans had stayed loyal over the previous ten years, and enjoyed a 3-1 away at Burnley.

In late August, a sensation! The Albion signed Paul Kitson. Kitson and Zamora upfront this could be three promotions in a row. If he stays fit! Kitson, that is. Some hope.

After that, and grabbing a point against Coventry, the Albion didn’t win a league game until November. The sleepy Steve Coppell had replaced the unlucky Martin Hinshelwood.

A notable win against Norwich at Carrow Road on boxing was tempered by losing there in the Cup after a power cut. What? October 26? No, dunno.

This was the period when someone in Withdean woods behind the South Stand saluted every Albion goal with a firework. I wonder if he still has any left.

Coppell got the team playing as a Championship team should, and winning quite a few home games. Nicking a point away here and there, the Zamora/Kitson partnership didn’t come to full fruition until the last handful of games of the season. After he (Kitson) had long term back, rib, norovirus and other injuries, Coppell’s statement, “I believe Paul Kitson is at this club,’’ did make me laugh. Sadly his goal against Reading was all too late. The Albion were relegated.

Coppell stayed for the first few months of 2003/2004 term but was lured away by Reading.

Mark McGhee took over as the Albion’s 5th manager of the decade in late 2003. He inherited a side near the top of the league and after a shaky start losing at home 4-1 to Bristol City he got the team with the free scoring Leon Knight into a challenging position and eventually into the play-offs.

A late Sunday afternoon kick off away at Swindon in the play-off 1st leg saw the Albion win 1-0 to take a good advantage in the Thursday home game. At a drenched Withdean the Albion held out for 80 minutes until Parkin scored. In extra time Mooney put Swindon in front. Then in added time in extra time, as you will know Adam Virgo scored the goal of his life. Ben Roberts saved the vital penalty and almost 30,000 (where did they come from) followed Albion to Cardiff’s millennium stadium.

Leon Knight’s penalty sent the Albion back to the Championship and a great day out in a magnificent stadium was had by all. The Albion made no real significant signings in the close season. Iwelumo, who joined the previous March, left in the summer. The club did sign Matheta Molango, who scored within 12 seconds during his debut at Reading, but did little else. Adam Virgo became the revelation of the season as a target man and finished as top scorer.

The Albion beat West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds United. They also had a thrilling 2-2 Withdean draw with the Hammers. A credible and narrow cup defeat away at Spurs gave the fans a great day out. The Albion’s mid season form dipped approaching the spring. After beating Rotherham in their penultimate match, they required a point at the very least against Ipswich to maintain their Championship status. A live Sky match from Withdean, the Albion centre of attention of the last day 1.30pm kick offs, saw McGhee’s men achieve the near impossible, and by the skin of their teeth.

In July, the greatest victory of all. John Prescott gave permission for the Albion to build a stadium in North Moulsecoomb with a small part in Falmer. Falmer residents and Lewes MP Norman Baker cried foul. A Berry lucky Albion fan won a competition run by Coca Cola, which enabled Albion to buy a player for £250,000. This turned out to be uber-talented Turkish star Colin Kazim Richards. The club also signed Southampton stalwart Jason Dodd (see Paul Kitson).

Although the 2005/6 season started okay and Palace were beaten away, then allowed to sneak a Withdean win three weeks later. The club were struggling and looking unlikely to avoid the drop by New Year. The worst defeat was by the Falmer residents whose lawyers spotted a flaw in the decision which caused the original consent to be quashed. A few heavy winter losses meant that by early April the club were relegated back to League One.

Early in the new season Mark McGhee was sacked /resigned/left by mutual consent, delete as per favourite message board.

Youth team Coach Dean Wilkins assisted by perennial Albion assistant manager Dean White took over, with a win at Millwall. Wilkins team started okay, faltered, signed moon walking Baz Savage, then improved slightly, finishing lower mid table.

In July 2007 Hazel Blears again said yes to Falmer. This time the residents of Falmer nor the Lewes antagonists had the bottle to put money where mouths were. The stadium could finally be built. Bas Savage became a mini superstar and the club made a promotion push in late 2007. The New Year saw Savage leave and the Albion smash their transfer record to sign Glenn Murray for £300k, from Rochdale. The football was entertaining, the wins frequent, however it was not quite enough to make the play-offs. They finished 7th in May 2008. Gary Hart was rewarded for 10 fabulous years.

Then one of the sensations of the decade. Wilkins was sacked and replaced by Mickey Adams. Let’s face it, humiliating Manchester City and Robbie Savages loan cameo aside, the decision has proved to be a disaster. After finishing 7th under Wilkins, Albion have not been higher than 17th since around September 2008. Adams was sacked/resigned/left by mutual consent depending on which Little Chef waitress you speak to, in February 2009. Soon after Russell Slade was bought in, and after a shaky start, eventually steered the club away from relegation.

Sadly for Russell and the long serving (in some opinions too long), Bob Booker and Dean White, results were quite, quite awful . Not only were they that bad, but over a million and half had been spent on new players. Slade and his assistants were shown the door on November 1st last year. A week or so later the 9th manager of the decade was installed and possibly the most exotic of them all. Step forward Gustavo Poyet. But will he be there for Falmer in 2011?

So there you have it, in one way or another, the most exciting 10 years in Albion history.

If I have missed your favourite bit let me know, perhaps we can spend a dark cold January night reminiscing.

Now bring on Villa. But please not that FA.Com live streamed match, with the Sunday 6.15pm kick off.