If Albion survive in the Premier League this season, do not expect to see Chris Hughton jumping for joy.

That is not the style of the Seagulls' level-headed leader.

Hughton kept his customary cool, even in one of the biggest moments in the club's history.

When Albion beat Wigan at the Amex in April to effectively ensure promotion to the Premier League for the first time, bedlam ensued.

Fans invaded the pitch, the players celebrated wildly in the press box. High above them in the directors' seats, in the upper tier of the west stand, owner-chairman Tony Bloom became the berserk supporter he is at heart, leaping and waving his blue and white scarf above his head (below).

The Argus: Amid the emotional scenes, Hughton was nowhere to be seen.

Steve Sidwell has now revealed for the first time just how calm the manager remained. And how significant Hughton's soothing influence will be if Albion are to build on promotion by staying up.

The veteran Premier League midfielder told The Argus: "It was a bit of a mixed day for me, because I was left out of the squad.

"I went to see him. We had words. Maybe it was being too confident, but I knew how our season was going to pan out. I was telling the lads what was going to happen and that's the way it was going.

"I remember saying to him 'Gaffer, look, we're going to win today and there is going to be all the celebrations and I'm not involved in it. It's going to ruin my season, I won't feel I've played my part'.

"He said 'Listen, what ever happens today, no-one's celebrating, there's going to be none of that. No cheering in the dressing room, no drinks.

"Well, after the final whistle, even when we were in the dressing room, there was nothing. The gaffer came in, he said his words.

"We could hear the noise outside and all of a sudden that was it. We just went upstairs. There was Tony Bloom with his scarf around his head. The gaffer was still hiding away I think!

"We got back down stairs, the drinks were flowing, the after party. And even then the gaffer was just how he is. I don't think there really was a moment when you thought 'Wow, he's given it a go there'.

"That's his make-up, that's how he is and you've got to respect that. In a way that's sometimes what you need to bring you back down. You've got to enjoy yourself, don't get me wrong, but you've got to look at it and think maybe he got it right."

Maybe he did. Albion had not just promotion but the Championship title within their grasp after beating Wigan.

They blew it by taking one point from the last three games away to Norwich, at home to Bristol City and at Aston Villa on the final day as Newcastle pipped them.

The 'job done' psychology almost certainly played a part, a mindset Albion cannot afford at any stage on their Premier League journey.

Sidwell said: "The biggest advice I've always carried with me in football is you never get too high or low.

"He (Hughton) is key to it. When we've had good results, certainly like this year, you don't get carried away with it, because the next game is around the corner and it can quickly bite you in the bum."

The Argus: Sidwell's journey to a top flight career with Reading, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Fulham and Stoke started with Steve Coppell's Albion at Withdean as a teenager on loan from Arsenal (above).

He stepped into a dressing room with a core of experienced pros, commanding the kind of respect no longer afforded to senior figures.

Sidwell, 34, said: "The loan spell I had, looking back at it, coming from Arsenal and a brand new training ground, grass like carpet - people thought I was made stepping out of it.

"But I had already been to Brentford and I wanted to test myself. I went on loan, loved it, grew up as a person and a player that year and wanted to do it again at the next level in the Championship with Brighton.

"I loved every minute of it, getting down and getting dirty. The training ground at Falmer, washing your own kit. Looking back at Withdean you think 'How could you enjoy playing there?' I absolutely loved it.

"Although being at Arsenal we had a very successful youth team and reserve side, it doesn't mean anything when you actually come out and you're playing now, grown-up football, on a Saturday at three o'clock. You look at the papers on a Sunday at where you are in the league, what your marks are, little things like that.

"It's a big thing. That was the mentality back then that a lot of youngsters had.

"It shaped my career. That put me on the map. I still speak to Steve Coppell now. He was the one that gave me my chance and I took it.

"There were a lot of times when I played well in big games. I think that helped me. When I came out at that age you go into a really experienced dressing room.

"Now there is a bit of a divide, not that instant respect that youngsters give old professionals. That's just society nowadays with what youngsters are given. It's a helluva lot more than when I was young.

"But that's because the football club want to give them the best possible chance to make it. They are going to give them the best boots, best food, the best surfaces to play on, so if they make that step up to the first team then it's a natural progression.

"You can understand that, but along the way I do feel there is that lack of respect now. That's gone."

Sidwell stars in Albion's forthcoming review of the promotion campaign.

'We're on our Way' includes behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with all the key figures and is available soon on DVD and Blu-Ray.

See https://youtu.be/-P4CiX1-3aM for preview