ALBION fan Stafford Browne today revealed his delight at being offered a trial by his favourite team.

The prolific Hastings Town marksman will be reporting for pre-season training with the rest of the Seagulls' re-shaped squad next week.

It's a dream chance for the Uckfield-born striker to break into professional football with the club he followed as a schoolboy.

"I used to go to the Goldstone years ago," he said. "I went to the FA Cup final when they played Manchester United and they have always been my team.

"I'm really excited about it. I had a few options, but why go outside the county when I support Brighton?

"There are two ways of looking at it. You can see them as a struggling side who are not worth going to or somewhere where you could make your name.

"I'm glad they have given me this opportunity and I hope it all works out."

Browne's goalscoring exploits for Hastings last season caught the eye of several other League clubs, including Barnet, Gillingham and Leyton Orient.

The 26-year-old former Horsham forward found the back of the net 29 times in 51 games for Town after he was discovered by their physio Ray Tuppen.

Browne had a contract with Hastings but he is available on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

Now the cast-iron radiator and bath restorer has the chance to show Albion boss Brian Horton that he could be a red-hot addition to the Seagulls' attack.

Horton has already signed Gary Hart from non-League Stansted for £1,000. "We are looking at all possibilities for a goalscorer," he said.

Former Albion captain Mark Morris, a team-mate of Browne at Hastings, thinks he has the credentials to make the grade.

"If you are a centre forward it's all about scoring goals and he has got that knack," said Morris.

"He's a decent athlete, he's keen to learn and he believes he can do it, which is half the battle."

Albion's first home midweek fixture will be against Northampton in the first round, second leg, of the Worthington Cup on Wednesday, August 19. The first leg is expected to take place on Tuesday, August 11.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.