TODAY is a massive day in Brighton’s history as the Seagulls play in their second ever FA semi final.

Despite Albion having formidable opponents in table-topping Manchester City, 34,000 fans will be making their way to Wembley to cheer on the lads.

But some fans are coming from further away than most.

Hayden Papworth, 19, cut short a holiday in Thailand to see the Seagulls run out under the Wembley arch.

“I’m flying home from Phuket four days early as I couldn’t miss the semi-final,” said Hayden, a go-kart marshal from Hangleton.

“Tomorrow’s only my second time at Wembley after seeing the Albion lose last year to Tottenham.”

Others are heading to London with memories of the club’s previous outings at Wembley – both good and bad.

David Trenner, 63, was there for Brighton’s 2-2 1983 FA Cup final draw against Manchester United.

When Gordon Smith opened the scoring for the Albion, David, who grew up in Saltdean, couldn’t believe it.

“I spent the next hour looking at the scoreboard and thinking I was dreaming,” he said.

Of course, the match didn’t end in Brighton’s favour, with a late goal from Gary Stevens only just forcing extra time after two second-half goals from Man United.

Then Albion were agonisingly denied their first major trophy after striker Smith had his shot saved by United goalkeeper Gary Bailey, the match ending all square.

Despite the 4-0 loss in the replay, David, and many Seagulls fans like him, remember the day fondly.

In fact, David, who now lives in Balloch, Scotland and heads to Wembley with his brother Justyn and nephew Joss, had a chance encounter with Smith in a Glasgow bar.

“He wishes he’d chipped it over Bailey in extra time, but I never blamed him.

“He got a good shot away and it stuck between Bailey’s legs.”

Other members of the Seagulls faithful are also taking memories of 1983 – some more literally than others.

Jane Thomas, 59, is wearing the same shirt and scarf she wore to the 1983 semi-final against Sheffield Wednesday and ventures down Wembley Way with the same friend, Barbara Clowes, by her side.

“I will always remember what a hot day it was. The atmosphere behind the goal was electric.”

Steve Good, 61, is going with his brother Richard and son Harry, but still remembers a grand day out with his family all those years ago.

He said: “I went to all the FA Cup rounds in ’83 – I still have all the programmes and ticket stubs.

“I remember the exciting train journey up to Wembley for the final but also the sadness after the replay.

“I went with my brothers John and Richard, and my father Herbert.

“Sadly John and Herbert passed away before the Amex era, but rest assured myself and Richard will shed the odd tear for all those Albion fans no longer here to see Wembley again.

“They would be very proud of where their club is now and excited as ever for tomorrow.

“John would probably be the noisiest fan in the ground.”

Robert Turner, 52, called the ’83 final the best day of his Albion-supporting life. He said: “It was incredible to see so many Brighton fans singing in unison.

“They played so well and it was heart-breaking to not win after Gordon Smith’s miss in extra time.

“Man United got the measure of us in the second game and we were never in it.

“Up until recently the final was the best day of my Albion-supporting life, maybe it’s just eclipsed by reaching the Premier League a couple of years ago.”

Robert, an estate agent from Burgess Hill, admitted he felt pessimistic about Brighton’s chances.

But he added: “Still, we’ve had a couple of strokes of luck along the way so you never know.”

As all Albion fans know, 1983 was far from the club’s only outing at Wembley.

Brighton’s 1991 Second Division play-off final loss against Notts County might not stick in the minds of Seagulls fans as much as other Wembley memories, but for 46-year-old Steve Trewin it wasn’t just the match that was eventful.

“I had only passed my driving test six months before the final and I was driving a real old heap up to Wembley, just a group of young lads going to the game. We got lost on the way back and ended up in Crystal Palace.

“I got some real grief.”

Steve, of Saunders Hill, Brighton, is bringing wife Sam, son Owen, nephew Conner Doherty and sister-in-law Melissa Doherty to Wembley today for the first time.

He added: “We’ve been Albion fans for years and season ticket holders for ages. We’re all so excited.”

After all, as much as today is a day for those who have been waiting since 1983, it will also be a grand memory for a new generation of Brighton fans.

Father Stewart Dean, 50, says his sons Billy, nine, and Rafferty, seven, are “counting the hours” to their first Wembley visit.

“I’m taking two of my boys as my dad took me and my brother in 1983.

“It’s been a struggle to afford it but how could we not go? I’m making memories with my boys. They’re counting the hours, they’ve never been to Wembley so it’s a magical time for them.

“I can’t see a positive result, but it’s the FA cup so you never know.”