Remembering the Seagulls’ League One triumph 10 years on
Brighton & Hove Albion’s promotion to the Premier League in 2017 will live long in the memory – and rightly so – but the 2020-21 season marks the anniversary of another important milestone in the club’s history.
In 2011, the Seagulls secured promotion to the second tier and moved to within a single step of the Premier League. In this article, we will re-live one of the most dominant Albion campaigns in living memory.
A flying start
Under manager Gus Poyet, Brighton laid down an early marker with a superb return from their first 15 matches, including just one defeat and 34 points amassed from a possible 45.
An away victory against Swindon Town on the opening day was followed by a high-scoring stalemate at home to Rochdale. Defeat would follow in game three at Sheffield Wednesday, but fears of a tough campaign ahead were allayed by wins over Walsall, Milton Keyens Dons, Plymouth Argyle, Oldham Athletic, Brentford, alongside a draw away at Carlisle United in the next six outings.
The upturn in form took Brighton to the top of the league and it was a position they’d retain for the remainder of the season, despite back-to-back draws at the start of October.
Wins over Charlton Athletic, Yeovil Town, Peterborough United and Exeter City would follow, with the Seagulls scoring 12 goals and conceding none, before their rich vein of form was interrupted by defeat at Hartlepool United.
A combination of cagey form and postponements over the Christmas period saw Brighton head into the new year without a victory in almost two months, but Poyet’s men returned to top form in emphatic style with a 5-0 win against Leyton Orient on New Year’s Day.
Last time I saw Watford v Brighton, was 2011 in the FA Cup, when Ashley Barnes scored the game's only goal pic.twitter.com/NDXJFo3Sjl
— Ian Abrahams (Moose) (@BroadcastMoose) February 2, 2014
Unstoppable momentum
The thrashing of the Os proved to be the catalyst behind another irresistible streak as Brighton strengthened their grip on top spot and the automatic promotion spots. A reverse away at Bournemouth was their only defeat in 10, with big wins against Hartlepool and Plymouth underlining the team’s attacking potential.
A 1-0 loss at MK Dons did little to deflate the positivity felt by supporters at the Withdean Stadium and the players once again bounced back in commanding fashion.
An incredible run of eight straight victories would follow, before drawing 2-2 at Rochdale. Promotion would be secured less than two weeks later as we twice came from behind to edge out Dagenham & Redbridge in a seven-goal thriller.
Victory away at Walsall would follow, although two draws and two defeats in the last four saw the season end in less auspicious circumstances. However, the slow finish detracted little from a superb campaign.
Top performers
Stars for Brighton were almost too numerous to mention, although the contributions of Inigo Calderon, Gordon Greer and Elliott Bennett were recognised with selection in the League One team of the year. Poyet was named manager of the month in September and March.
Top scorer for the Seagulls was Glenn Murray, who weighed in with 22 crucial goals, while Ashley Barnes contributed a handy 17. Bennett helped provide the creative spark with 17 assists with winger Craig Noone also playing a key part in the Seagulls’ attack.
Murray, in particular, remains an able goal-scorer at the top levels and will likely play a key role for Watford next season, as the Hornets aim to justify their position in the betting as one of the favourites at 9/4 to earn promotion back to the Premier League in the months ahead.
Welcome to Vicarage Road, Glenn Murray! pic.twitter.com/rkzwEpdkAX
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) September 1, 2020
To many, the 2010-11 League One campaign will seem a distant memory, and one that’s overshadowed by our promotion to the Premier League and exploits at the top level since then.
But as we approach the 10 year anniversary, it’d be remiss of us not to acknowledge the importance of this campaign in helping us reach our current position.
