Albion Nostalgia: Victory over Huddersfield provided a rare home win for Brighton in 1973

We went into the 1972/73 season on the crest of a wave, following promotion from Division Three. Supporters were expecting the club to push on and despite some setback in the transfer market, hopes were high for a season of consolidation.

Everything unravelled between November 11th 1972 and January 27th 1973, when we lost thirteen games in succession. Twelve of these were in the league and by the time Huddersfield Town came to the Goldstone on 10th March, our fate was all but sealed. The sequence had been broken by a 2-0 win against Luton Town in mid-February, but defeats to Bristol City and Hull City left us with few options.

Albion manager Pat Saward decided to blood a number of young players, with a view to building for a future that would probably involve Third Division football. In his programme notes for the Huddersfield game, he praised the contribution of the youngsters.

“I have been delighted with the way they have taken their chances with both hands, in what has been trying and difficult circumstances”.

He also went on to commend the role of the more experienced players, tasked with helping the youngsters blend in.

The team against Huddersfield showed a combination of youth and experience. In goal was Brian Powney, veteran of over 500 Albion appearances. Full-backs George Ley and Graham Howell were either side of centre-backs Norman Gall and Eddie Spearritt. In midfield, Mr Saward gave another start to 17-year-old Tony Towner, alongside Peter O’Sullivan, John Templeman and Lammie Robertson. Up front, Ken Beamish was paired with the experienced ex-England forward Barry Bridges, signed from Millwall the previous summer. Huddersfield Town were also struggling, having been relegated from the First Division at the end of 1971/72.

Standing just one place and 10 points ahead of Albion at the foot of the table, everything pointed to a tense, dour encounter. It was anything but, as Albion tore into Huddersfield right from the first whistle.

We created numerous chances before young Tony Towner scored his first goal for the club to put Albion one-up.

This was followed soon after by another first Albion goal, this time for Lammie Robertson.

The Terriers managed to pull a goal back before half-time but such was our superiority, everyone expected a second-half rout.

This didn’t materialise as chance after chance was squandered by Albion. Some sections of the crowd began venting their frustration at the failure to put the game out of reach. Pat Saward took issue with some fans in his notes for the following home game.

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I want to get the facts straight about this match.

“We were quite clearly the better team” he continued, and in response to some specific comments, “I believe it is rather harsh to describe only our fourth victory of the season as “shabby””.

Mr Saward was a decent man who oversaw one of the most exhilarating seasons in our history in 1971/72. He didn’t really deserve the vitriol directed his way and you wonder how he would cope with today’s social media environment.

The win against Huddersfield Town provided a rare home win in a difficult season. The Terries come to The Amex this weekend with both clubs in need of the points.

Let’s hope Albion once again come out on top.

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