I still think about Smith's chance

The man who guided the Seagulls to the 1983 final at Wembley cannot help wondering how different things might have been if Smith had scored.

Melia made his admission after flying back to Brighton and Hove from the States for four days to take part in the BBC's FA Cup coverage.

The ever-chirpy Liverpudlian, 64 last month, has been coaching kids in America for a decade. Mornings are often spent talking football and reminiscing with his close friend Gordon Jago, the former QPR manager, while memories of the greatest day in Albion's history are close to hand at Melia's Dallas home.

"I've still got the Brighton tracksuit that we got for the final," he revealed. "I've also got the Brighton shirt, flags and everything else. I just have them on show up on the wall.

"I still think about if Gordon had scored what a difference it may have made to my career, but he got our first goal and he was the one I would have wanted in that position. Give Gary Bailey all the credit, he made the save.

"Brighton would have been in the record books as winning the FA Cup and that achievement will probably never happen for them. I cannot see them getting into the final for the next 30 years."

That last remark is born of realism rather than bitterness. Melia retains a deep affection for the club he steered to the brink of glory.

"My daughter lives in Brighton still, so she lets me know exactly what is going on," he said. "I watch Fox Sport international nearly every day and we get all the info about what's happening in England."

Melia experienced both the euphoria which goes with pulling off a shock victory and the acute embarrassment of unexpected defeat in the FA Cup. Albion's 2-1 triumph at Liverpool in the fifth round in 1983 was as significant for him as reaching the final, but he also tasted the flip side during his playing career with the Merseyside giants.

"Beating Liverpool was unbelievable," Melia recalled. "It was on a Sunday and it was the only game being played in England. All my family were there to watch and it was as great for me as getting to Wembley.

"When I got back as soon as I walked out of the house cars were stopping to beep and everyone was waving at me. I had to go to the shop to check the result was right!

"The FA Cup will never lose its magic. There will always be a team that comes out of the blue and makes it all exciting, like we did at Brighton.

"The media are always looking for underdogs to win and it happens all the time. When I was at Liverpool we lost to Worcester, a non-League team, in the third round so anything can happen."

Albion will be trying to avoid an upset in front of the Sky cameras against League newcomers Rushden and Diamonds in the second round at Withdean on Saturday. Melia believes the presence of TV will help spur them to victory.

"It makes a difference," he said. "I remember the FA Cup final was on in 80 different countries. When we got there people were calling me from Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpar and Australia to talk about it. Coaches are always looking for players and it's an extra incentive to show what they can do in front of the cameras. Brighton at present are having a good run and there is no reason why they shouldn't win the game."

Except perhaps for the very fact that the eyes of Sky viewers will be on them, because Albion's record on live TV is a modest one.

Their only win in seven appearances, including of course the 1983 final and replay, came against Liverpool in the FA Cup within months of Melia's departure from the club.

Second-half goals by Gerry Ryan and Terry Connor earned Chris Cattlin's team a 2-0 success at the Goldstone on ITV in round four in January 1984.

The Seagulls have been camera-shy since then. The Meridian lenses captured Liam Brady's side succumbing 3-1 in the League at Bournemouth in September 1995.

They have also failed to prevail in three matches on Sky, starting with an agonising exit from the second round of the FA Cup for Jimmy Case's strugglers in December 1995.

They were knocked out 4-1 on penalties by Micky Adams' Fulham at the Goldstone after a dull goalless draw.

A year later the cameras were at Brisbane Road to celebrate Peter Shilton's 1000th appearance. Steve Gritt's men obliged by losing 2-0 to Leyton Orient.

Albion needed an injury time penalty by Paul Armstrong to rescue a 1-1 draw at Chester in their last live TV game in January 1999 in Brian Horton's final match in charge.

Boss Peter Taylor is confident the cameras will inspire rather than inhibit his players on Saturday.

"I think it's lovely for them to be live on Sky," he said. "It's a 12 o'clock kick-off, so there will be a lot of people watching the game before going to support their own team.

"I am sure the players will be very determined and it won't put them under any more pressure. I think they will enjoy it even more if we put in a good performance and get a good result."

Back across the Atlantic the memories will be rekindled once more for Melia.

"Walking out at Wembley and seeing all the supporters with their blue and white scarves gave me great enjoyment," he said. "It is something I will never forget for the rest of my life.

"As a player you worry about yourself. As a coach or manager you worry about everybody else and that achievement is probably going to be the highlight of my career."