The remark was accidentally prophetic. Bob Booker declared "I'll be back" at the end of an extensive interview with The Argus in September 2006 in which he spoke openly and honestly about his sacking as assistant manager to Mark McGhee.

Booker meant it in a wider context. Even somebody with such a bubbly persona and positive outlook on life could never have envisaged he would be back in 22 months with the club he served for six eventful years, embracing three promotions and two relegations alongside five different managers.

Yet, at the age of 50, an improbable chain of events has rekindled Booker's love affair with Albion.

If you had told him this would happen two months ago, after a seventh-placed finish for the Seagulls in League One under Dean Wilkins, he would never have believed you.

Even when Micky Adams, the manager who first brought him to the club in 2000, was reappointed to replace Wilkins, the door was only slightly ajar.

Booker's walk through the Withdean entrance again has been made possible by the resignation in May of Ian Chapman from his combined role as reserve and first team coach, followed by the decision by Wilkins to turn down a coaching post.

Hope became reality for Booker during a ten-minute phone call from Adams at the end of last week while he was on holiday in Spain.

Booker revealed: "His first words were do you fancy coming back? I said of course I will.

"It was short and sweet, not really up for discussion. I wanted to get on the next plane home.

"The situation when I left with Mark (McGhee) happens in football. When the manager goes then 99 per cent of the time the assistant goes as well.

"There has still always been a place in my heart for Brighton and for the chairman to have me back is great as well. I have spoken to him and he cleared it.

"You never know how that is going to turn out, although Micky wanted me. I am absolutely delighted to be back in the fold. It feels like I am coming home."

Albeit in a different position to the post he held previously under Adams, Peter Taylor, Martin Hinshelwood, Steve Coppell and McGhee.

Booker is trading places with Dean White, who was brought to the club before him by Adams as reserve coach and chief scout.

White was assistant to Wilkins and he retains that role now that Adams is in charge once more.

Booker said: "People might be thinking it's Micky Adams and Bob Booker again but Dean White is the assistant manager and I've got no problem with that.

"I'll be giving him the support he gave me. We all muck in together."

Brooker has broadened his horizons since his Albion divorce. He has done a lot of travelling but has also kept his hand in by scouting for his old club Sheffield United and helping out County League clubs Pease Pottage and Seaford.

On August 8, the day before Albion launch their League One campaign at Crewe, he marries former Southern FM breakfast show presenter Nicky Keig-Shevlin.

After a dark period, life suddenly looks good again for Booker. He said: "Once you are out of the game it is very difficult. Even someone of Micky's calibre has found that as well.

"I am forever grateful to him and the club. This is what I want to do. I would have come back as anything.

"I am an infectious type of character and I will get in there and play my part as I did before. It's nice to be back."