FA cup - 1983
Despite a woeful campaign in the league, which ended in relegation, Albion gave the fans some unbelievable moments in the FA Cup. The journey ended with disappointment, but it was unforgettable.
Click on the programme cover images for a look at the full programme
THIRD ROUND
8 Jan 1983 v Newcastle United H D 1-1 - Goldstone Ground, att: 17,711
Andy Ritchie opened the scoring but Terry McDermott’s equaliser was enough to earn the Magpies a replay at St James Park
12 Jan 1983 v Newcastle United A W 1-0 - St James Park, att: 32,134
Steve Foster was suspended and no-one gave Albion a hope. Peter Ward scored Albion’s goal in the 62nd minute and we survived an onslaught from Newcastle in the remaining minutes, including two disallowed goals in the final four minutes
8 January 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United
12 January 1983 - Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion
FOURTH ROUND
29th January 1983 H W 4-0 - The Goldstone Ground att: 16,804
Magnificent from Albion. Jimmy Case opened the scoring with a deflected shot, after a corner was swung in and headed back across goal by Gordon Smith. Neil Smillie tapped in the second after Andy Ritchie’s shot was parried by City keeper Joe Corrigan.
It was more of the same in the second half and after a good advantage played by referee Colin Downey, Tony Grealish slipped a pass through to Michael Robinson who smashed the ball home. With a minute to go, Robinson wrapped things up with a cool finish from just inside the box. Albion were through to the fifth round for the first time since 1960.
29 January 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester City
FIFTH ROUND
20 February 1983 - Liverpool 1 Albion 2. Anfield att: 44,868
Was this Albion’s greatest ever away performance?
Liverpool were top of the First Division and on their away to another title. Albion were bottom. 4,000 fans made the trip to Liverpool and were rewarded with an incredible performance as we took the game to the home side.
In the 32nd minute Michael Robinson beat former team-mate Mark Lawrenson (one of Liverpool’s eight internationals) and crossed for Gerry Ryan to score in front of the Kop.
The Seagulls weathered the storm through the second half as Liverpool pressed for an equaliser. We held out until the 70th minute, when Craig Johnstone sent an acrobatic scissor-kick past Perry Digweed in the Albion goal. The home crowd settled back, expecting victory, but within a minute Jimmy Case sent a 25-yard shot past the outstretched fingertips of Bruce Grobbelaar. The shot took a wicked deflection off Ronnie Whelan but the Albion fans didn’t care.
Four minutes later Liverpool were awarded a penalty but Phil Neal missed past Digweed’s left post. Albion then repelled wave after wave of Albion attacks and with five minutes to go, Chris Ramsey produced a fantastic header to clear off the line.
When the final whistle went, the players acknowledged the ecstatic Albion fans, who headed back to Sussex with their team in the FA Cup Quarter-Final for the first time in their history.
20 February 1983 - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
SIXTH ROUND (QUARTER-FINAL)
12 Mar 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Norwich City 0. Goldstone Ground att: 28,800
With Jimmy Melia now pushing to be installed as Albion’s full-time manager, we came up against fellow-strugglers Norwich City for a place in the last four. The game wasn’t made all-ticket and the gates were closed just before kick-off with a capacity 28,800 inside the ground. The 7,000 fans from East Anglia were given the the north-east corner and half the North Terrace. The game itself was dominated by some dour defensive play but both sides went full pelt for a result.
After a goalless first half, the crowd were becoming nervous. Jimmy Case was booked for a foul and was fortunate to be still on the pitch when he decided the match in the 66th minute.
He ran on to Andy Ritchie’s pass and as he bore down on the Canaries’ goal, the linesman was flagging furiously. Case went on to bury the ball in the net and City protested furiously. The linesman had been flagging for a foul ON Case and referee Alan Robinson had been playing an advantage.
Four days after the game, Melia was given the job full tim, with George Aitken as his assistant.
Albion were in the Semi Final!
12 March 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion v Norwich City
SEMI-FINAL
16 April 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Sheffield Wednesday 1. Highbury Stadium att: 54,627
Gerry Ryan was injured so Gordon Smith was played up front with Michael Robinson. Gary Stevens was switched to right back in place of the suspended Chris Ramsay, with Steve Gatting at centre half and Graham Pearce returning at left-back.
Albion fans were give the Clock End on a glorious, sunny day. It was a splendid attacking game and Albion took the lead on 14 minutes with an absolute screamer. Jimmy Case sent a swerving shot from fully 35 yards past Bob Bolder for his fourth goal in as many cup games. Albion continued to dominate until half-time and were good value for their lead.
Wednesday came back strongly in the second half and equalised on 57 minutes when Mirocevic scrambled the ball over the line.
The tie was decided in the 78th minute. Jimmy Case put Gordon Smith through but his shot was blocked by Bolder. The ball rebounded to the Scot who passed inside to Michael Robinson. He turned and shot and the ball went over the line and into the net. Albion’s victory signalled the start of unbelievable scenes on the terraces, and these continued well into the night.
16 April 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion v Sheffield Wednesday
21 May 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United
THE FINAL - FIRST GAME
21 May 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Manchester United 2. Wembley Stadium att: 100,000
With Steve Foster suspended, Albion were captained by Tony Grealish and he led the team out wearing a white headband, a mark of sympathy for Foster.
It was all United for the first 10 minutes but there was no direct threat to Graham Moseley’s goal. We launched our first attack after 12 minutes and won a corner. After United failed to claer, the ball fell to Gary Howlett, who floated a delicate cross to the far post. Gordon Smith got his head to it and guided the ball past Gary Bailey. United upped the tempo and put us under pressure but we held firm and it stayed 1-0 until half-time.
After a dreadful tackle on Chris Ramsay by Norman Whiteside left the Albion man hobbling, United took advantage as Frank Stapleton fired into the net for the equaliser. Ramsay was immediately replaced by Gerry Ryan, who was brilliant as a stand-in left back.
On 71 minutes United went ahead. Ray Wilkins gathered the ball on the right and cut inside, before hitting left-foot curler around the despairing dive of Moseley .
With United dominant, it looked like they had one name on the cup. On 86 minutes, Albion won a corner. Jimmy Case played the ball to Tony Grealish on the edge of the penalty area and he sent a speculative low ball into the box. Gary Stevens controlled the ball and fired it into the net from 10 yards. The team and supporters went completely wild.
Extra time saw both teams tire significantly but in the final minute came the moment all Brighton fans have etched on their mind. Michael Robinson chased a through ball and surged into the penalty area. Instead of taking a shot, he squared the ball to Gordon Smith, which prompted the famous line from commentator Peter Jones. “And Smith must score!” he declared, but it was not to be, as Garry Bailey ran out and smothered the ball. The final whistle came soon after and we were headed for a replay.
26 May 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United
THE FINAL - REPLAY
26 May 1983 - Brighton & Hove Albion 0 Manchester United 4. Wembley Stadium att: 92,000
Steve Foster came back into the side to some controversy, as many felt the side that had done so well on the Saturday should have the chance to win it again.
Albion showed great attacking intent but it was United who took the lead on 25 minutes, when Bryan Robson shot through Graham Pearce’s legs and past an unsighted Graham Moseley. Four minutes later it was 2-0 when Norman Whiteside headed home. Just before half-time it was three. Bryan Robson was again on hand to shoot home after the ball was headed across goal by Frank Stapleton.
The second half was without any real meaning and United wrapped it up on 62 minutes from the penalty spot. Arnold Muhren scored after Gary Stevens was adjudged to have held Robson.
The last few minutes went by in a blur as the Albion fans continued to sing their hearts out. The team were magnificent but it was just one game too far.