9:02am Monday 27th November 2006
Brighton and Hove Albion fans descended on Withdean yesterday, keen to snap up scraps from the team's past.
Everything from signed footballs to a floodlight from the Albion's former home at the Goldstone Ground in Hove went under the hammer.
The historic souvenirs were among many items offered following an appeal in The Argus for memorabilia to auction.
They were sold to the highest bidder during a sale in the directors' suite at Withdean Stadium, Brighton.
The annual sale was organised by Tim Carder, chairman of the Albion Collectors and Historians Society. He said: "It went very well and we had a couple of hundred supporters turn up to buy scrapbooks, cards, shirts and other memorabilia.
"The star lot as it turned out was a brass name plate inscribed Registered Office of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club Limited.
"It had an estimate of £120 on it but in the end went for £100 more than that.
"The floodlight was sold for £75 and the money will go to help preserve and promote the history of the club and pay for a museum at the new stadium.
"Some of these things only came to light as a result of the appeal in The Argus. We are very grateful because they are a part of the club's history and would still be out of sight in people's lofts if it had not been for the paper."
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