AN ALBION legend has returned from hospital after suffering a bleed to his brain but is on a "long road to recovery".
Peter O’Sullivan collapsed at the end of June and was on life support in the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Eastern Road, Brighton.
The 71-year-old made more than 400 appearances for the Albion between 1970 and 1981.
Spencer Vignes, a family friend and journalist, confirmed he was back at home in Shoreham but “the road to some kind of recovery will be long”.
He told The Argus: “He was in the Sovereign pub in Shoreham with his wife Kimberley and he just dropped with no warning really.
“He fell to the floor, just collapsed and was rushed to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.”
Peter O’Sullivan came back home on Tuesday, July 5 to be cared for by his wife.
Spencer added: “Kimberley is at home looking after him, the road ahead is going to be long towards a recovery and we don’t know to what extent that recovery will be.
“They don’t have loads of family round here, she is all he has got around here. He is originally from Wales.
“There has been so much support online from people and online.
“Footballers from his era didn’t retire with millions in the bank, they were normal people who were on normal salaries.
“The future could be quite costly really.”
Peter O’Sullivan started his career with Manchester United. The “Welsh wizard” delighted Albion fans as one of their most pivotal players through the third, second and first division when they were promoted in 1979.
He made three appearance for Wales, scoring one goal for his national team while an Albion player.
He eventually went to Fulham, before moves to Charlton, Reading, and Aldershot in 1984.
He also had spells at various non-league clubs around Sussex at Crawley Town, Worthing, Wick, Shoreham, Peacehaven and Newhaven.
The Argus asked readers to submit messages and letters of support for “Sully” while he was in hospital.
One particularly touching letter from season ticket holder Richard Inverarity, of Brunswick Road, Hove, who described his first time seeing O’Sullivan play.
“My first ever football match was on October 2, 1976, when someone gave me a ticket for the South Stand at the Goldstone Ground,” he said.
“It was a one-all draw with Crystal Palace.
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