Brighton fans know that Albion’s journey has been anything but ordinary.
Now, those turbulent times are brought back to life in Embers, a new novel by Brighton supporter and local author David Atherall.
Set during the 1996/97 season, the story captures a moment when the club teetered on the brink, fighting to survive both on and off the pitch.
With the Goldstone sold off, relegation looming, and extinction a real threat, Albion’s story could have ended there. Instead, the arrival of Steve Gritt and Dick Knight sparked a fightback that would eventually shape the club’s future.
In this episode, David joins us to talk about why he chose to revisit such a pivotal chapter in Brighton’s history, and why those dark days continue to strike a chord with fans today.

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