FROM the Goldstone to the Amex was quite a journey.

In the glory of the modern era, at the beautiful Amex Stadium, sometimes it is easy to forget how the future of the club looked so uncertain when they left the old ground.

They played home games at Gillingham all the way over in Kent and at the Withdean - an athletics stadium which was at least back in the city.

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Then the battle for the new stadium at Falmer was won and they finally moved in ten years ago.

 

Albion legends are presented to the crowd

Albion legends are presented to the crowd

 

Today we are celebrating 10 years at the Amex with a special 16-page supplement for you to pull out and keep.

The new £93m ground was officially opened when the Seagulls took on Spurs in a friendly match a decade ago.

 

Brighton and Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspurs friendly match at the official opening of the new Amex Stadium - Peter Ward SD300711A76

Brighton and Hove Albion v Tottenham Hotspurs friendly match at the official opening of the new Amex Stadium - Peter Ward SD300711A76

 

Thousands of fans filled the then 22,500-seater Amex Stadium at Falmer long before kick-off with some legends in attendance.

The Chichester Archdeacon, the Ven Douglas McKittrick, said prayers before supporters sang the traditional football hymn, Abide with Me.

The two teams - with Gareth Bale in Tottenham’s team - were led out to Sussex By The Sea, of course.

Spurs may have come out on top 3-2 but it was a fantastic opening day with fans enjoying a carnival atmosphere.

Brighton manager and former Uruguay international Gus Poyet had played for Premier League Tottenham Hotspur between 2001 and 2004.

 

Managers Gus Poyet and Harry Redknapp at the end

Managers Gus Poyet and Harry Redknapp at the end

 

The Seagulls were left without a permanent home after leaving the Goldstone Ground in 1997.

An initial planning application for a 22,500-seater stadium on land north of Village Way, in Falmer, was submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council in 2001.

It was accepted by the government in July 2007 after a High Court challenge and two public inquiries.

Albion’s last game at the Goldstone Ground on April 26, 1997 had been against Doncaster.

In a strange twist of fate the real action at the Falmer Stadium began on August 6, 2011 when the Seagulls kicked off their season in the Championship against - Doncaster Rovers

Substitute Will Buckley scored two late goals as newly-promoted Brighton started life at the Amex Stadium with a brilliant comeback win.

 

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