The long first team career of Albion's player-coach Ian Culverhouse appears to be over.

Manager Micky Adams has revealed that Culverhouse has almost certainly played his last game for the Seagulls' senior side. The 35-year-old former Norwich and Swindon stalwart will be concentrating on his role as reserve team coach.

Adams recalled Culverhouse for his only appearance this season in the 2-0 defeat at Hull earlier this month. "It is fair to say we have possibly seen the last of Culvs in a first team shirt," Adams admitted. "He is still registered as a player, but his career is probably over. It was me that persuaded him to play at Hull. He wasn't sure he would be up to it in terms of fitness."

Culverhouse joined Albion on a monthly contract at the start of last season following a brief spell with Conference club Kingstonian.

The sweeper was released by Brian Horton two months later, because Horton wanted to switch to a flat back four. But Culverhouse was dramatically re-signed a week later, installed as captain and given a contract for the rest of the season.

He was appointed reserve team coach by Horton's successor Jeff Wood a year ago and also had his playing contract extended by a year to the end of the current campaign.

Culverhouse's career began as an apprentice at Tottenham in September 1982. The former England youth international has played a total of 527 games in all competitions for Spurs, Norwich, Swindon and Albion.

Adams cancelled the players' regular day off from training yesterday before watching the reserves in action at Bournemouth.

Former Albion favourite Frank Worthington is the main speaker for an end-of-season dinner being staged by the club in aid of youth development at Brighton Racecourse on Monday May 8 (8pm).

Worthington will be joined on the top table by comedian Ian Irving.

Tickets, priced £30 per head or £300 for a table of ten, can be booked through commercial manager Kevin Keehan, tel: Brighton 778855.

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