Graham Cross was another Peter Taylor signing and he also became a firm favourite at the Goldstone, exerting a considerable influence both on and off the pitch.

"He always has the lads in fits," said Mullery. "Guys like Graham Cross are worth their weight in gold."

The manager never spoke a truer word. Shortly before leaving, Taylor brought in two vital free transfers - Chris Cattlin and Cross, both six-footers and equally uncompromising. Cattlin never claimed to be a fancy footballer and once compared himself to a camel on the pitch.

Cross was brought up as an apprentice in a good school, at Leicester City, and it showed. He had over 500 games for City which was a record and also played cricket for Leicestershire. Charming him away from Filbert Street was another of Taylor's coups.

No matter that his birth certificate showed him to be 33, Graham started the 1976-77 campaign fresh as a daisy alongside Andy Rollings and never missed a match all season.

His four goals were all important, especially the winner against Ipswich in a League Cup replay and the only goal against Peterborough at the Goldstone in mid-October when Albion topped the table. He later scored penalties against Chester and Lincoln.

There was a calm assurance about his play and ability, born out of long experience at top level, in reading a game.

It made sense for him to move on in the summer of 1977 together with Harry Wilson plus £50,000 to Preston in a swap deal bringing Gary Williams to Brighton. The move benefited both Cross and Preston as they went up.

Following a spell with Southern League Enderby Town, Cross had 19 games for Lincoln City and then coached and managed Hinckley Athletic. He took over a sub-post office after that but fell foul of the law and was awarded a custodial sentence following the discovery of business irregularities.

No matter. Cross, now 58, will always be fondly remembered by those Albion fans who rejoiced at Mullery's first promotion season. When the re-arranged Swindon game was played on May 10, the 2-1 defeat did not affect the promotion issue.

Graham Cross Factfile.

Born: Leicester. November 15, 1943.

1960-75: Leicester City. Appearances, 498. Goals, 29.

1975-76: Chesterfield (loan). Appearances, 12.

1976: Albion. Appearances, 56. Goals, 4.

1977-78: Preston. Appearances, 45. Goals, 1.

1978: Lincoln. Appearances, 19.

Other clubs: Enderby Town, Hinckley Athletic. Leicestershire CCC.