Storm cones had been hoisted at the Goldstone, hatches battened down against the rough weather.

Pat Saward, captain of the good ship Albion, was almost on the point of jumping overboard when a lifeline was thrown in the shape of Ian Goodwin.

It was late September, 1970, and the side was on the rocks, floundering in 17th spot, and players queuing up at the treatment room.

Saward took the only course open to him in an emergency and contacted Coventry City, the club he used to coach, and tapped them for a loan signing. He well remembered Goodwin, a 6ft central defender, who at 20 was still learning his trade. Goodwin, all 13st of him, had lost his first team place after four appearances when City splashed £100,000 on Wednesday's Wilf Smith.

The transfer struck a chord with Saward, who during his career at City had tried to sign Goodwin's younger brother. Ian only turned up at Highfield Road as a driver for the 15-year-old kid. Saward recalled: "We happened to be short of a player and asked Ian to show us what he could do and he turned in such a good performance that he had a month's trial and stayed."

Two years later Goodwin answered Saward's SOS and breezed into the office, declaring: "Have no fear, Goodwin is here." That self introduction was typical of Goodwin, who became a breath of fresh air to Albion's dressing room.

"You can relax," he beamed. "From now on it's going to be wins all the way." Now Saward was no mean motivator himself, but with Goodwin having joined the ranks, initially on a short-term arrangement, spirits began to soar.

When Ian first went to Coventry, it was as an inside forward. Saward had another think and, noting his size and power, turned him into a defender. No sooner had Goodwin arrived than Saward made all the right noises, saying Coventry could have him back at a moment's notice, but with the promise that if City declared him surplus to requirements then he would be more than welcome to stay at the Goldstone.

When Goodwin debuted in the defeat at Doncaster, Albion had won only twice in ten starts. A goalless draw at Aston Villa in the next match eased some strain, but the next three games produced two inconclusive affairs and a defeat before Wrexham were beaten at the Goldstone.

By this time Goodwin knew his way around the place and had chummed-up with Alan Duffy, another new recruit. Ian could see the way the land lay as his two months loan was due to expire. He wanted to stay and the silver-tongued Saward gained an extension for two more months. No wonder they called him the Loan Ranger. City boss Noel Cantwell was happy for Brighton to continue paying Goodwin's wages.

The lion-hearted approach of Goodwin to every ball, every game, took a toll and he had more than his fair share of knocks. But it became obvious to him that his future lay at Brighton.

Since playing for Stretford and Lancashire Boys, Ian was taken on by Oldham, but they released him and it was by chance that he got fixed up at Coventry. Now Albion needed him.

At the end of the four months, he returned to City only to sign for Albion in March 1971 when no fee was involved. He made 19 League appearances in his first season when Albion pulled their socks up and finished 14th. These were the days of Saward's innovative Buy-a-Player fund and the unsuccessful club takeover attempt of a sausage maker.

There was never a dull moment and the turning point in Albion's fortunes came in the last two months when Bert Murray signed after being on loan from Birmingham City, together with Willie Irvine, whose temporary transfer from Preston became permanent. Maximum points over Easter deservedly won the Manager of the Month for a greatly relieved Saward.

Persistent knee trouble greatly reduced Goodwin's availability in the new season and he did not figure until the last dozen games when Albion went up with Villa.

Albion reeled-off eight wins out of the last 12 games and no defeats. In no fewer than seven of those games, Albion seized a winner in the dying minutes, six goals coming from Ken Beamish.

Four of the five games being at home suited Albion and nobody will forget the Villa match that triggered-off the stunning sequence. A good 29,000, plus Match of the Day cameras, watched Albion's 2-1 victory when Irvine's goal was runner-up in the BBC's Goal of the Season.

"That was an outstanding time to be a Brighton player," said Goodwin from his Coventry home. "The run-in for the two top spots with Villa and Bournemouth was really something. I had come back into the side after a cartilage operation and you can see me on the video of the 101 Great Goals. Willie is scoring it and I'm the prat on the floor."

Goodwin's recollection of all his Albion appearances is etched in his memory and usually for painful reasons. As a stopper, he accepted the bangs. What happened in Albion's 1-0 win at Shrewsbury during his first season was typical. "Alf Wood was centre-forward and we were going at each other the entire match. I had six stitches over an eye and Alf's nose was spread around his face. As we walked off he said: 'Er, I did enjoy that.' They didn't come any harder that Alf."

The following campaign saw Albion unable to keep their heads above water in the Second Division. Ian commented: "Where we went wrong was when Pat started to make wholesale changes and the camaraderie went to a certain extent."

Recurring knee problems restricted his appearances to a mere 14 and he underwent surgery. Two cartilage operations in ten months took its toll, but Goodwin never complained and Saward turned to him as captain.

The effects of Goodwin's injuries led to his departure although he thinks the cancellation of his contract might have had something to do with his penchant for imitating new manager Brian Clough.

"I was in the dressing room taking-off Cloughie in my best Rory Bremner fashion when everyone went quiet and there he was standing behind me. I don't think that helped my chances of staying. Anyway I needed to move and do something different. Those were happy times for me at Brighton, apart from the injuries, but I wonder what happened to Pat Saward. He was a great coach. I'm not sure about his managerial abilities, but he gave me my chance and I'm grateful to him for that."

When Ian and wife Lyn left Brighton they returned to Coventry and Ian played for Nuneaton Borough, VS Rugby and AP Leamington. Working for Rolls-Royce, he also turned out for Coventry Sphinx.

Now 50, he plays in charity games for Coventry City OB's despite arthritis in both knees and hips. For the last 20 years he has worked for Peugeot on the sales and management training side.

His wife, Lyn, and 20-year-old daughter, Claire, are City season ticket holders, but Ian's enthusiasm doesn't go that far. He's seen it all before.

IAN GOODWIN FACTFILE Born: Irlam, November 14, 1950.

1965-1970: Oldham apprentice.

1968-1970: Coventry City, four appearances.

1970-75: Albion, 56 appearances, one goal.