Jack Hall might just have been Albion’s first star goalgetter.

Such was his value in the transfer market of his day, he played a part in the FA rewriting their rules on transfer fees.

But darkening skies in East Lancashire – and the lack of floodlights – prevented him from nipping in the bud a hoodoo which Albion will aim to break tomorrow.

Fifteen weeks after scoring their club’s first ever win at Hillsborough, Chris Hughton’s men will aim to do likewise at Deepdale.

They have played at the former home of Tom Finney, Bill Shankley, David Beckham and company 15 times, recording nine defeats and six draws.

The Argus:

Albion have already secured their first ever win at Hillsborough this season

Chris Hughton said the Hillsborough hoodoo was “unusual” after his side broke it on October 1.

Well not quite as unusual as he might think, as it turns out They also have winless records at Deepdale and Villa Park to put right this season.

Twice they have led Preston on their own pitch at the interval only to finish the match at 1-1.

Last season they had two goals disallowed in an otherwise uneventful 0-0 draw.

But the one which really got away featured Hall, pictured above, a renowned goalscorer in the club’s Southern League days, and a strike which did not count in his tally of 54 in 93 games for Albion.

Having drawn at home to mighty North End in the third round of the FA Cup back in 1907-8, Albion stunned their first division opponents by going ahead in the replay only to be pegged back around the 80-minute mark.

The Argus:

Jack Hall thought he had headed the winner

That took the game, played on a wet and gloomy Thursday afternoon at this time of year, into extra-time.

Hall headed dominant Albion in front during the extra period and the Deepdale drought should have ended before it had even begun.

But, eight minutes from time, the referee decided the light was too poor to continue and abandoned the game.

The FA later ruled it should be recorded as a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and a second replay was ordered at Stamford Bridge, where Albion won 1-0.

It was a famous victory. The team were mobbed when they arrived back at Brighton station.

How wild the scenes became is not clear but, when Albion drew at Liverpool in the next round, they took no chances and got off the train at Preston Park to avoid a repeat.

Beating Preston was big news but they did not get the win at Deepdale which has proved elusive ever since and Hall moved on to Middlesbrough three months later.

As with Hillsborough, there have been near misses among the many winless treks north.

Preston were unbeaten at home all season on their way to the third division title in 1970-71 but had to come from behind to grab a point against Albion on Halloween.

Dave Turner gave Albion the lead and they had chances to restore it even after Bobby Ham levelled when Geoff Sidebottom failed to hold a low cross.

The Argus:

Deepdale was not illuminated like this when Albion made their first visit

Peter Ward was on target five minutes into a game at Deepdale late in the long, hot summer of 1976 but substitute Barrie Mitchell levelled on the hour.

It was the only point Albion dropped in Alan Mullery’s first four games in charge as they surged to early leadership of the third division.

Jamie Murphy was victim of a very tight offside call when he thought he had given the Seagulls a first-half lead last season. Tomer Hemed’s tap-in was also ruled out by the assistant, which was a more straightforward decision.

So what will the players make of the chance to break another drought?

Evidence from Hillsborough suggests it will be a long way back in their thoughts as they prepare for the game.

But any reason for celebration is welcome if the result is right.

Speaking after that first-ever Hillsborough win, Hughton said: “It’s something wonderful for the supporters.

The Argus:

Steve Sidwell celebrates after scoring Albion's most recent goal at Deepdale - in the 2002-03 season

“I’ve only been here a year-and-a-half. We’ve got a group of supporters who have followed this club for many years and I suppose a percentage would have been here and always come away without winning.

“It’s an unusual one. There aren’t many of them with the amount of games we play.”

Albion have only scored seven goals in 15 games at Deepdale, including the FA Cup tie of 1908 which does not show on all records. They have drawn blanks on six of their last seven visits, the exception being a 2-2 draw in 2002-03 in which Simon Rodger and Steve Sidwell netted. The last two meetings at Deepdale have ended 0-0.

Back in 1908, Hall was a wanted man – but there was a problem.

Concerned about spiralling transfer fees, the FA had imposed a £350 ceiling on player transactions.

That was nowhere near Albion’s valuation of the hot-shot from Nottinghamshire but they eventually let him go to top-flight Middlesbrough for that £350 – on the condition Boro also took midfielder Harry Kent for the same fee.

It was all within the rules but Boro had effectively bought Hall for an astronomical £700 with Kent, who they offloaded to Watford after six appearances, as a makeweight in the deal.

Because of this signing and others like it, the FA ditched their transfer fee limit.

If Albion can be as creative on the pitch tomorrow as they were off it 109 years ago, that first Deepdale win could be theirs.

The invention of floodlights might also help their cause.