Brighton & Hove Albion are a club with a proud history, being founded in 1901, and are perhaps enjoying some of their best years now.

They spent most of their early years battling in the Second or Third Division, but eventually earned promotion to Division One in 1979, and they comfortably survived.

The 1981/82 season is their most successful to date, finishing a very respectable 13th, and the season after they reached their first and only FA Cup final, agonisingly drawing to Manchester United before losing the replay.

Brighton started to yo-yo between the Second and Third Division in the late 80's - fans wanted the club to push for the top tier, but were instead relegated to Division Three.

In Division Three, the Goldstone Ground had to be sold to deal with the debt problems, but the stewardship of Dick Knight and Tony Bloom has seen them established as a Championship side playing in the outstanding AMEX Stadium.

Here, FootballLeagueWorld writer Michael Hasan identifies FOUR things that you probably didn't know about Brighton...

Origins of the Seagull nickname

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Brighton at first adopted the Dolphins as their nickname, using the hybrid design of the shield of Hove and the dolphin crest of Brighton which was on their coat of arms.

But reportedly in the Bo'sun public house, just before a derby game against Crystal Palace, Brighton fans responded to 'Eagles' chants from the Palace fans with 'Seagull' chants.

Derek Chapman was present that day and club director so changed the nickname to Seagulls.

They adopted it on their crest and Dick Knight continued to use it as it represented brighter times ahead.

Robbie Reinelt

Nottingham Forest v Rotherham United - Sky Bet Football League Championship

One of the most notorious moments in Brighton's history came against Hereford when they met in 1997.

Brighton needed to avoid defeat to avoid relegation to non-league, but their opponents would be the victims of the relegation if Brighton avoided defeat.

Hereford took the lead and at half-time Brighton were down, but a scrappy goal by Robbie Reinelt preserved their 77 year league career and ended Hereford's.

It is the most famous Brighton goal in history and none of the modern day success would be possible without it.

1983 FA Cup Final

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One of the most famous matches in Brighton's history came against Manchester United in the 1983 FA Cup final.

Brighton were enjoying their First Division status and reached their first ever final in a major competition.

They pushed United all the way in front of 99,000 fans and went ahead through Gordon Smith, but United rallied and led 2-1 thanks to goals from Frank Stapleton and Ray Wilkins.

But a late Gary Stevens goal sent it to extra time where Smith missed a gilt edged chance to win it.

'Smith must score' were the commentators ominous words on that day, and his failure to do so led to United winning the replay 4-0.

Brian Clough

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Brian Clough is one of the greatest managers of all time who enjoyed loads of success at Nottingham Forest and Derby, including two European Cup wins.

After an excellent spell at Derby, he surprisingly went to Third Division Brighton.

He failed to improve the Seagulls fortunes as they finished 19th, losing to Walton & Hersnam in the FA Cup.

He had been managing a side playing Juventus just a year before, and Clough eventually left for Leeds where his tenure proved even shorter.

Brighton fans... did you know these three things about your team? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!