The first match of the season is always a bit special, a journey into the unknown.

Every Albion player will be both both nervous and excited at the prospect of Saturday's trip to Reading.

But for half of the back four the match at the Madejski Stadium carries a touch more signifcance, because of the opponents' manager.

Guy Butters and Adam Virgo lasted just one game for the Seagulls under Steve Coppell in the First Division two seasons ago.

They partnered each other in the centre of defence when Coppell's reign kicked off with an extraordinary 4-2 defeat against Sheffield United at Withdean.

Albion threw away a 2-0 lead on that bleak October afternoon and Butters and Virgo did not feature in the first team again for the rest of the season, which ended in relegation on the final day.

Butters, 35 in October and embarking on his 17th campaign as a professional, admits the scenario gives Saturday's encounter an extra edge.

"I suppose it does with Steve being here last year," he said. "Looking at last weekend's papers, everyone expects us to finish really low down, so we will try to go there and prove a few people wrong.

"I suppose there are one or two of us in the side that want to prove half a point to him as well, but the main thing is to try and get a result for the team.

"We want to show people in this division we are not going to be beaten week in and week out and that we can be more solid than the last time we were in it."

Butters, a veteran of the First Division with both Portsmouth and Gillingham, regained his place in the Albion team under Coppell in Division Two towards the start of last season following a spell on loan at Barnet.

"He gave me my chance again last season when he brought me back into the side, so it's not a problem," Butters said.

"He has gone onto a supposedly bigger club and a more pressurised job. Reading were disappointed they didn't finish higher than they did last season and at least get into the play-offs. They've spent a bit of money and got a few players in, so they are going to be looking to do more this year.

"It will probably be near to a full house and we should have a lot of support there as well. We are going to be going to big stadiums this year, places like Leeds and Leicester with 25,000 there, and we are going to have to learn to deal with it.

"I have played at the Madejski Stadium a couple of times for Gillingham and at their old ground (Elm Park), which shows how old I am! I think the last time I played there we drew 2-2. In a way it's not a bad time to play Reading. It's the first game and everyone is trying to find their feet. The conditions will probably be really hot, which should be a good leveller."

Albion were inconsistent away from Withdean last season, but manager Mark McGhee developed a method which eventually paid off and Butters expects a similar approach at Reading.

"With Leon (Knight) being suspended we are looking to go there and try to be solid.

"We went through a stage of last season without winning away from home for a long time. I think we were trying to win games, rather than just being solid.

"We played Bristol City away from home and then Swindon in the play-offs and changed our system a little bit, concentrating more on a solid shape, bringing teams onto us and trying to hit them on the break, which seemed to work.

"I am not 100 per cent sure what will happen this year. I assume we will try to do the same and play more football at home. I am sure the gaffer has got one or two things up his sleeve."

Saturday's match is even more poignant for Virgo than Butters. He did not play for Albion again under Coppell after the Sheffield United debacle.

The Brighton youngster only got back into the team at rightback once McGhee had taken charge, but he has matured enough not to hold any grudges.

"It is a coincidence that our first game back in the First Division is at Reading, but the new manager is in now," Virgo said.

"I have got Mark McGhee and I am more worried about my performance for Brighton than trying to prove a point to Steve Coppell. I respect him for what he did for the club and I have moved on. I feel I am a better player and my performance will be judged on Saturday by Mark McGhee."