While I've been over the channel in France, it's been announced that two Albion favourites are coming home. First there is Adam Virgo, returning to us from Celtic after three years away. And second is Bob Booker who is coming back to join the management team.

Booker has been appointed as the new reserve team boss, a post that Ian Chapman held previously, with responsibilities for the young players.
Bob first joined Brighton as assistant to Micky Adams in 2000.

When Micky left after a successful spell he continued with managers Peter Taylor, then Martin Hinshelwood, next Steve Coppell and finally Mark McGhee. He left the club with the Scot in 2006.

He was popular with the players and fans alike, being something of a dressing room comic. He says he's absolutely delighted to be coming back to Brighton and to be working with Adams again. I think this is a shrewd appointment, getting back to a winning team.

So Virgo also returns to us. Dick Knight confirms that it was a poorly kept secret that the club wanted Adam back – a bit like Ronaldo just might end up with Real Madrid!

We have him on a free transfer from Celtic. This is a great piece of business, given that we sold him to them three years ago for £400,000.
Adam has a two-year deal. He too is delighted to be coming back to the Seagulls. He was an extremely populay defender/midfielder who always gave 100 per cent. He played a Roy of the Rovers role, often being thrown forward to add to the attack.

He scored several vital goals for us – not least THAT equalising goal in time added on against Swindon in the Division Two play-off semi final. It will be extremey interesting to see how Adams fits him into our new team.

Also announced is the club's fourth signing. David Livermore comes to us from Hull on a free transfer. He is a 28-year-old central midfielder.
Originally an Arsenal trainee he went to Millwall in 1999. He moved on to Leeds United in 2006, costing them £400,000 pounds – but only stayed for two weeks! This says something about the state of affairs at Leeds!
Hull City took him and he played 24 games for the Tigers in their promotion to the Premiership team last season.

And there's more! Michael Halwell, a left back from AFC Wimbledon, has joined the Seagulls on their tour of Ireland.

The released trio of Gary Hart, Kerry Mayo and Paul Reid are pre-season training with Brighton. There just could be short term deals for any of them if they fit into Mickey Adams`s plans.

Meanwhile, Dean Cox's goal at Withdean was voted by the fans to be the best of last season.

I was close last week on new sponsorship. IT First are the new main shirt sponsors. I always liked SKINT on our shirts – it just seemed appropriate.

Now there will be new shirts, a new strip, and money into the club shop, no doubt. I wonder if I coud save 40 quid by deleting the SK and N from the old shirt? (just joking Dick). We will wear the new shirts with pride.

Finally Adams is still saying he hopes to strengthen the playing squad even further. Exciting times – roll on August.