AN ALBION great who was the team’s top goal-scorer in the mid-1960s has died at the age of 79.

Wally Gould, who was born in Rotherham, Yorkshire, moved to Sussex to play for the club during the 1960s as a right-winger.

Wally began his football career as a young man, first playing for Rotherham and Sheffield United, before moving to York City in February 1961.

Wally, who died on Saturday, March 10, was well-known by Seagulls fans for his efforts on the pitch to help the club win the Fourth Division in the 1964/1965 season, scoring 21 goals.

He was with Albion for four seasons after his time playing for Sheffield United and York City.

Wally was bought by Albion for a sum of £4,000.

He made a total of 193 appearances and put 43 goals in the back of the net during his time playing at the Goldstone Ground.

Seagulls fans hold Wally dear in their hearts for scoring during a league title match against Darlington on April 26, 1965.

The 3-1 win over the opposing side, with two other goals from Jimmy Collins and Jack Smith, was seen by almost 31,500 fans at the old Goldstone Ground.

The win led to Albion securing the league title by a single point.

Led by Albion’s former manager Archie Macaulay, the club won the title with a home record of 18 wins and five draws.

Wally also attended a number of club events held at Brighton Racecourse during former Albion chairman Dick Knight’s time at the club.

He made his way to South Africa after leaving Albion in 1968, going on to play for Hellenic, East London United and Durban United.

In May 1968, Wally featured in an article in South African Soccer Monthly, titled Boy from Brighton, which celebrated how he was one of the country’s leading goal-scorers list at the time.

During his long and successful career as a footballer, he played 300 matches and scored 71 goals in the Football League.

Wally hung up his boots in the professional game after playing his last season at Chelmsford City in 1977.

He then returned to England and coached players at Stoke City alongside then manager of the side, George Eastham, who was a member of the England squad when the team won the 1966 World Cup.

Wally began his time coaching at the club at the start of the 1977-78 season.

He became the reserve team coach for the side in 1980 before becoming number two at the club.

Wally died following a short period of illness after battling with dementia for many years.

He was living in a care home in London up until his death.

Wally’s funeral will be held at Eltham Crematorium in London, on April 11 at 10am.