Brighton and Hove Albion - Features

Goldstone's Last Stand - Doncaster Rovers Home 26/04/1997

Brighton and Hove Albion's Goldstone Ground hosted its last ever game on Saturday 26th April 1997 after 95 years as the Seagull's home. Doncaster Rovers were the visitors and the day was significant not just because fans said goodbye to their home. After a two year battle, the regime that was responsible for making the club homeless of Bill Archer, Greg Stanley and David Bellotti were finally removed and new chairman Dick Knight was in the directors box for the first time. Stuart Storer netted the last goal at the famous ground as the Albion won 1-0 to move off the bottom of the Football League for the first time since October, meaning that they needed just a point at new-bottom club Hereford the following week in order to complete an escape from relegation that seemed impossible back in December when Steve Gritt arrived as manager and the team were 12 points adrift. Scores of fans flooded the pitch after the game to claim mementos from the place where they had fallen in love with the Seagulls. Here are a collection of photos from that damp and emotional day when Brighton and Hove Albion bid farewell to The Goldstone Ground


The Goldstone that gave it's name to the stadium	North Stand turnstiles

The North East floodlight	The North West floodlight

An intimidating sign	The ticket office at the rear of the West Stand

The South East floodlight	Looking from the disused East Terrace to the West Stand

The South Stand entrance	Albion fans in the South Stand await the game

The West Stand	The East Terrace

The South Stand is packed	Doncaster players parade around the pitch with a banner reading "Rovers players salute Brighton fans"

The North Stand	The teams prepare to do battle for the final time at The Goldstone

The Albion attack with a corner	Another Brighton attack

People swarm the pitch as the Albion move off the bottom for the first time since October	Fans gather infront of the West Stand one last time


The pitch begins to clear	A tribute is set up on the centre circle

The North East floodlight	Fans stand on the East Terrace one last time

People head for the exits for the last time	A strange circle of light hovers over the directors box - spooky

To see larger versions of these images from the last floodlit game at The Goldstone, please check out the photos on our Facebook Group - and why not become a fan while you are there!