Chester - Home
Season 1 (H) 18/9/99 - 2-3 ~ Hart, Cullip
Sport England had awarded BHA 69k for each of following four years to help fund Albion's centre of excellence and youth development programme. Chairperson Trevor Brooking said, 'football has reaped huge benefits from Lottery money, receiving tens of millions of pounds in awards to clubs and community projects of all sizes. In addition we have funded specialist projects such as the 120 million used to buy Wembley Stadium for redevelopment and supported clubs with implementation of the Taylor report.' So the world was changing for a new century, although it was not before time. During those last two decades and the nasty nineties in particular, many a FC had faced crises at hands of creditors. Winless rock bottom Chester was one such club, now had an American owner and been saved through efforts of fans during Administration. This happened all over the country, although other influences from that brave new world were more in business methods and marketing than making a fast buck Archer style.
A sight for sore eyes was available to 'the dry side' when those under a roof, faced a blue and white effect opposite. South-standers had donned their alternate coloured cagoules in blocks A through J and quickly became a living giant replica football shirt worn during inclement conditions. It was an afternoon when fans and team alike found out what it needed to be watertight. Brighton played as a home team should and bossed this game for two thirds, before Hart eventually put us ahead on 55 minutes. Chester got forward at last, hit back twice and took a lead with time running out for Albion. Brand new signing Cullip, headed an equaliser with about five minutes to go. Many Brighton fans remember his defiant rock-like stance in front of B block and he emerged an instant star. Deep into stoppage City scored a third to win. Micky Adams said, 'at the moment we are getting things right physically but psychologically are not performing as well as I know we can. Teams are not beating us, we are beating ourselves. We've to get back to basics - starting training Sunday.'
Walton, Watson, Cullip, Crosby (McPherson), Campbell, Wilder, Rogers, Johnson (Newhouse), Thomas (Armstrong), Freeman, Hart.
Div 3 (League 2) P 8 . W 3 D 2 L 3 . F 18 A 11 . Pt 11 Po 11

Chester - Away
Season 1 (A) 26/2/00 - 7-1 ~ Zamora 3, Freeman, McPherson, Brooker, Rogers
Final places in the div3 table of '98/99 didn't give a guide to the future, beyond that forthcoming season and a new set of 46 fixtures. Brentford, Cambridge, Cardiff and Scunthorpe were promoted to div2 and where are they now? Scarborough similarly dropped into non-league Conference or div4 if you like and oblivion. Chester had finished above Brighton in lower mid table, which was perhaps to be celebrated given recent turbulent history of both clubs. We had drawn home and away and for City it was nearly as far to go for Gillingham in August '98 than Withdean thirteen months later. There were about 100 less than 4000 at their Deva Stadium in January '99 although for a modern venue, capacity was identical to our 'sports complex' at 6000. They were getting a third to half that total now, while Albion invariably sold out. On the day, 600 b&w supporters swelled a winter-clothed crowd of er, thinner blue stripes to 2700 odd.
Many a Brighton fan who perhaps couldn't get to Gillingham, were now season-ticket holders at Withdean but for one reason or another didn't go the extra mile for away games. Instead they would pick up local radio commentary and on this day were dancing around their ghetto blasters. Goal after goal was flying in for Seagulls to send them into seventh heaven. Prior to k-o both sides were in poor form, Albion having lost four of their last five away and not scored once in Y2k on the road. Potential lower league sensation and newly discovered wonder kid Bobby Zamora, put Brighton into a two-nil lead by halftime. He had done well in another ex-Roman outpost at Bath and set about leading our invading line in stylish fashion. A second half penalty ensured a hat trick in only a third appearance for BHA. Visitors ran riot as attack after attack resulted in adding to a total not experienced since a day one spree on Sussex south coast. McPherson headed a rare goal and brand spanking new signing Brooker struck from his flank position. Fellow winger Freeman and Captain courageous Rogers kept rattling 'em up until the very last minute.
Walton, Watson, McPherson, Crosby, Mayo, Freeman, Oatway, Aspinall (Rogers), Brooker, Zamora (Ramsay), Hart.
Div 3 (League 2) P 33 . W 10 D 10 L 13 . F 47 A 39 . Pt 40 Po 18