Luke Williams has spoken about his “mind-blowing” time as a coach with Albion – as he starts a new job in management.

Williams, who was the Seagulls’ first development squad coach after the playing structure was revamped, is now in charge at National League outfit Notts County.

His assistant is ex-Albion midfielder Ryan Harley.

Williams was asked to develop younger talent by first team boss Gus Poyet in a move away from the traditional reserve team approach.

He was in charge of the first Albion team to play at the Amex as the under-23s beat Eastbourne Borough in the Sussex Senior Cup final in 2011.

Williams referred to those times as he looked ahead to life at Notts.

He told nottscountyfc.co.uk: “I worked with Gus Poyet, who’s now a friend of mine, at Brighton when I was leading the Under-21s group.

“It was a very close-knit club and I shared an office with Gus, Mauricio Tarrico and Charlie Oatway which, for me, was life-changing.

“I don’t need to speak about Gus’ achievements as a player, coach or manager. He’s an incredible person.

“Mauricio had a top player’s mentality. His standards on everything were so high and he couldn’t tolerate things that didn’t match his levels.

“And Charlie was someone I’d known for a long time as he had been a brilliant captain for the club.

“To be involved in that set-up was mind-blowing.

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“They won promotion from League One with four games to spare, so it was an incredible experience.”

Albion's youngsters played a very attractive brand of possession-based football under Williams. 

The now 42-year-old also had high praise for Brighton-born Russell Martin, with whom he worked at MK Dons and Swansea.

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He said the current Swans boss “has an amazing capacity for keeping a number of things spinning around in his mind and is brilliant at making staff and players feel valued.”

Harley will best be remembered by Albion fans for his stunning free-kick goal against Pereborough at the Amex as Poyet's newly-promoted side went top of the Championship early in the 2011-12 season.