Teessider Malcolm Poskett still remembers his landmark goal against the old foe from Newcastle.

But he had to travel a long, long way to get it.

The Middlesbrough-born striker, pictured below, put Albion ahead when they beat Toon 2-0 at the Goldstone in the last game of 1978.

In doing so he secured a small niche in Seagulls history which can never be taken away as the scorer of the club’s first ever goal against Newcastle.

Poskett, who scored 18 times for the Seagulls, still remembers the game and that close-range strike, as well as the part he played in the second from Peter O’Sullivan.

The Argus:

Malcolm Poskett at home in Carlisle

The picture to the right highlights another of his recollections as he looks back at those distant days from his home in Carlisle.

And that is of the train journeys to and from games with fans also on board.

Poskett, plucked from fourth tier Hartlepool in an inspired move from Alan Mullery, quickly won over the Goldstone crowds, though competition for places was tough along with Peter Ward and Teddy Maybank.

But he contributed ten goals to the successful promotion push of 1978-79 as Albion reached the elite.

He told The Argus: “Brighton was one of the best times of my life.

“I came in during the season when we just missed out on promotion and the lads were fantastic. It was a fabulous place to live as well.

“I had to come from one end of the country to the other but, once I got there, there were lads from up north, the Midlands, so it was a good mixed bunch and I felt right at home.

“The atmosphere at games was fantastic. The ground was tucked into a built-up area and we somehow crammed 26,000 into that stadium.”

Poskett recalls he had a big, physical defender on his back during that win over a Newcastle side managed by Bill McGarry.

He agrees the man in question was probably John Bird.

Albion had previously met the Magpies three times in their history, losing all three and never managing to score. But these were different times.

Their fourth successive win in the final fortnight of December was on its way on 17 minutes when Maybank back-heeled, Gerry Ryan fired in a shot and Steve Hardwick could only parry the ball as far as Poskett.

He said: “Of course I remember the game. Every time you beat Newcastle was special because of the rivalry from back in the North East.

“I think I was fouled as I scored it. I remember the big No.5 being all over me. I got in the box and hoped for the best.

“I remember the second goal as well. Sully was a really good friend of mine and a really good player although I haven’t seen him for years.

“And I remember the game up there when we had to win to go up. We were 3-0 up at half-time.

“We had that amazing train ride back to Brighton with the supporters on board as well.

“The police had to clear the crowds when we got to Brighton station.”

Poskett only played three games in the top flight before being sold to Watford for £120,000.

He recalled. “I never wanted to go but Alan Mullery thought it was a good deal.

“I was in the process of buying a house with my wife in Lancing but we had to cancel that.”

Poskett’s first child, Steven, was born in Shoreham.

But, other than trips back to the Goldstone as a player, Poskett has never really had any other connection with the Brighton area since.

“It’s a very long way for me to come,” he said.

“But I’m still fit and well and working as an examiner at Pirelli, the tyre manufacturer, up here.”

Albion’s subsequent list of league goalscorers at home to Newcastle is not a long one.

Poskett and O’Sullivan have been joined by Bryan Wade, Gary O’Reilly, Mark Farrington and, last season, Glenn Murray.

Albion: Moseley; Cattlin, Rollings, Lawrenson, Williams; Horton, O’Sullivan, Sayer; Ryan, Maybank, Poskett.