I think you're right - I remember that game. We had only recently changed our nickname from "The Glaziers" to "The Eagles". I'm sure the Brighton fans were mocking us so it was interesting to see that they had officially changed their nickname.

Can't be sure when The Dolphins became The Seagulls but it's my recollection that Eagles pre-dates Seagulls. Cheeky b*****rs!

I used to wear an "I hate Brighton" badge to every game and hated them with a vengeance. Now I live in Sussex and most of my friends are Brighton supporters. The rivalry is more friendly these days - for me at least - and I'm looking forward to some cracking encounters this season.

I think that the nickname change occurred for very obvious reasons. The dolphin is a much loved, highly intelligent and social beast. The seagull is unnecessarily aggressive, sounds appalling, steals your ice cream, hangs around rubbish dumps and voids its bowels on beaches, pavements and public monuments.
If they hadn't changed it to something more appropriate we surely would have done it for them.

Great read!
Please tell me I'll be able to get tickets for November 28th (day after my birthday )with just silver membership!

Edited by Locko (15 Jul 2017 5.37pm)

Some good memories of bygone days but it all seemed so much more innocent then. Yes you may have taken a punch or two but nothing like the knife crime and acid attacks that are now starting to become the norm. At least you could have a ruck but still have a good expectation of getting home afterwards.

View exiled eagle's Profile exiled eagle Flag Southampton 15 Jul 17 11.35am Send a Private Message to exiled eagle Add exiled eagle as a friend
It was kicking off in 74 at the Goldstone
When loads of palace were in the home end

Loads of trouble all around Brighton
Had a bit of fun at the entrance of the Palace pier also😁

Don't know any Brighton fans and don't want to know any of them and could not care any less about them 👍

Exiled Eagle is correct, it started in 1974, 1st game of the season at their old ground, the Goldstone. They changed their nickname in 1976 I think, Their fans used to chant seagulls after we sang eagles.
The article should have started with the 1974 game.

Can remember the fighting in the park opposite the ground. Before the end of the game the away end would pour out of the ground and into the park. Can rembember a brighton mob with Umbrellas one year, They got run all over the shop.Have to give them credit they always used to be game when we played them. Cant wait to go down there again