Brighton have established themselves in recent years as a fantastic Premier League side that play very attractive and brilliant football. And they have done it the right way by superb manager appointments and backroom staff.  
 
One of the key pieces that played a crucial role in Brighton's historic achievement of reaching the Premier League for the first time, was Paul Winstanley. In 2014, Paul took on the role of talent identification manager and Brighton’s head of recruitment, His work behind the scenes has been instrumental in facilitating some of the most successful signings in Brighton's history. 

During his tenure, notable players such as Pascal Gross, Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Alexis Mac Allister, Moises Caicedo, and Leo Trossard have all joined the club and some continue to play key roles in the first team. Moreover, his involvement in the recruitment process has also led to profitable transfers, as players like Yves Bissouma, Dan Burn, and Marc Cucurella arrived during this period and subsequently made lucrative moves to clubs such as Tottenham, Newcastle, and Chelsea, respectively. 

Let's dive into the illustrious history of 'The Gulls' by celebrating some of the all-time greatest Brighton F.C. players who have graced the club's ranks. From skilled soccer talents who mesmerized fans over a century ago to the more contemporary legends, the legacy of talented players at the club is truly remarkable. 

Are there any US players in Brighton & Hove Albion? 

Currently there are no US born players playing for Brighton’s football team. 

Famous Brighton Players 

Among the notable Brighton players of the present, Alexis Mac Allister stands out as one of the most renowned. He holds the distinction of being one of the few Brighton players to have participated and won a World Cup, having played alongside Lionel Messi and the Argentina squad that emerged victorious in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar. 

Ranking the 10 Best Brighton Players of all time 

10. Bobby Zamora

Position: Striker 
Years at Brighton: 2000-2003, 2015-2016 

Bobby Zamora initially landed at Brighton on a three-month loan while belonging to Blackburn Rovers. He played in six games for them and scored six goals, which led to a permanent move for a £100,000 transfer fee. 

He quickly became one of the most prolific goal scorers in English soccer and was the front man on a Brighton squad that earned back to back promotions in 2001 and 2002, into what is now known as the Championship, England's second tier of soccer.  

Zamora made 125 appearances between 2000 and 2003. During this time he scored 75 goals, which made him the league’s top scorer in back-to-back years in both 2000-2001 and 2001-2002. His form helped earn him a spot on the England U21 squad, and he went on to make two appearances for England later in his career. 

His remarkable run of goal scoring led to interest from several bigger clubs, and he eventually made a move to Tottenham in the Premier League.  

Zamora returned in the twilight of his career in 2015, making another 26 appearances and scoring seven goals. He is without a doubt one of the most important figures in Brighton & Hove Albion history, and one of the key Brighton players in 2000-2002 during their double promotion run.  

9. Kit Napier

Position: Striker 
Years at Brighton: 1966-1972 

Kit Napier was a Scottish striker who had made a name for himself as a prolific goal scorer with third division side Workington. After a brief spell at Newcastle, Napier landed with Brighton, and it was there that he’d find a true home in professional soccer. 

During his tenure at Brighton, this gifted striker proved his goal-scoring prowess by topping the team's goal charts in five out of the six years he played, amassing an impressive total of 99 goals for the club. This remarkable achievement solidified his status as the third highest scorer in the history of Brighton & Hove Albion. 

In 1972, he played a pivotal role in helping the team secure promotion from the third division. However, he eventually moved on to a new chapter in his career, joining Blackburn Rovers. Afterward, he concluded his playing days by showcasing his skills in South Africa before transitioning to a post-sports life in the motor trade industry. 

8. Glenn Murray

Position: Striker 
Years at Brighton: 2008-2011, 2016-2021 

Glenn Murray had attracted the attention of several clubs around English soccer after scoring 21 goals in 42 games for Rochdale in League Two.  

Brighton were a League One club at the time (English third division), and were in desperate need of a new striker. The move was rumored for a while, and eventually a transfer fee was agreed for around £300,000. After making his debut as a substitute, Murray made his first start in a home game against Crewe Alexandra, scoring two goals in front of the Brighton and Hove Albion fans.  

That performance set the tone for his career with the club. He scored 54 goals in 111 games during his first four years on the Brighton soccer team before his form drew attention from bigger clubs.  
 
After spells with Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Reading, he returned to Brighton on loan, and after quickly returning to top scoring form, he signed his second permanent deal with the team.  

He is one of the most prolific scorers in team history and one of the best Brighton players of all-time.  

7. Peter Ward

Position: Striker 
Years at Brighton: 1975-1980, 1982-1983 

Peter Ward's soccer career started with non-league side Burton Albion, where he played while also working as an apprentice engine fitter at Rolls Royce.  

He scored 21 goals in 50 games which drew the attention of Brighton FC, and he was transferred for a fee of £4,000. As a young player, he had to wait for his opportunity to make his debut for the first team, and when he got that chance, he scored in the very first minute of the game.  

Ward went on to be the team's fourth best scorer of all time, scoring 95 goals in two separate stints with the club.  

6. Michel Kuipers

Position: Goalkeeper 
Years at Brighton: 2000-2010 

Michel Kuipers is a Dutch goalkeeper, who moved to Bristol Rovers in 1999 where he spent the first 18 months of his soccer career in the United Kingdom.  

Kuipers never broke into the first team at Bristol but went on to sign with Brighton on a free transfer in the year 2000.  

The talented shot stopper made many great saves for the club, but perhaps most notably his performance and ultimate penalty save against Manchester City in 2008 topped them all. City had just been taken over and started to inject a lot of money into their side, while Brighton were the heavy underdogs in the Carling Cup tie. Glenn Murray scored the equalizer at the death to keep Brighton in it, which led to an eventual penalty shootout. Kuipers then saved the deciding penalty, marking just one of his many brilliant moments in goal for the side.  

5. Danny Cullip

Position: Defender 
Years at Brighton: 1999-2004 

Awards: PFA Team of the Year Division Three (2001), Division Two (2002 & 2004) 

In 1998, Danny Cullip arrived at the Division Three side on a short-term loan deal, which proved to be a revelation. His outstanding performances prompted the club to invest £50,000 to secure his services on a permanent basis. 

Cullip swiftly established himself as an exceptional defender, becoming one of the team's standout players in the following years. He played a crucial role at the back for the side that achieved back-to-back promotions, forming a formidable partnership with players like Bobby Zamora. 

The impact of Cullip's defensive performances were recognized by the club and its supporters, as he was honored with the Brighton player of the year award on two separate occasions. Over the course of his career, he represented Brighton in over 200 matches, leaving an indelible mark on the club. Even after hanging up his boots, Cullip returned to Brighton as a coach, further contributing to the team's success. 

4. Bert Stephens

Position: Winger 
Years at Brighton: 1935-1948 

Bert Stephens was one of the earliest Brighton players to become a club legend, after spending all but six games of his entire career with the club.  

Over a remarkable 13-year span, Stephens found the back of the net on 174 occasions. However, it's important to note that many of these goals were scored during non-competitive matches played amidst the suspension of competitive play during the Second World War. 

In official competitive matches, Stephens registered an impressive 86 goals, earning him the title of the Gulls' top goal scorer in the 1937 and 1939 seasons. To this day, he remains in the top five on the club's all-time leading goal scorers list, showcasing his enduring impact and contribution to Brighton's rich history. 

3. Kerry Mayo

Position: Left back 
Years at Brighton: 1995-2009 

Kerry Mayo is one of the longest serving Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players in club history. He spent 14 seasons with the team and appeared in 419 games dating between 1995 and 2009. 

He started his career as a trainee at the club and eventually earned a professional contract in July 1996. He then quickly worked his way into the starting lineup and became a squad regular for many years.  

Mayo was also a part of the Brighton team that got promoted in back-to-back years, playing alongside defender Danny Cullip and making key contributions to Brighton’s back-to-back championship winning seasons.  

Kerry Mayo is a club legend and one of the most famous ex-Brighton players. He is a very well-respected part of the team's history. 

2. Ernie Wilson

Position: Winger 
Years at Brighton: 1922-1936 

Ernie Wilson is the club record holder for appearances, playing in 566 games for his beloved Brighton team over the course of 14 seasons. He was nicknamed ‘Tug’ and signed for the side after impressing at a trial in 1922.  

Upon his arrival, he swiftly asserted himself as a starter for Brighton and held that position for an impressive 12 years, solidifying his role as a key figure in the team's starting 11. His remarkable record of 509 league appearances and 566 total appearances for Brighton still stands as an unmatched record to this day. 

During his time with the Gulls, Wilson scored 67 goals. His scoring totals might not make the top 10 on the Brighton players stats list, but he remains a club legend to this day.  

1. Tommy Cook

Position: Striker 
Years at Brighton: 1921-1929 

Tommy Cook remains to be the greatest Brighton player of all time and the clubs all time leading goal scorer, despite his career in Brighton getting underway over 100 years ago. 

Having served in the navy during World War I and even earning a medal for his courageous act of saving a fellow seaman's life, Cook returned home after the war with a determination to pursue a career in sports. 

Initially joining the Gulls as an amateur, Cook's skills quickly caught attention, leading to him securing a professional contract in 1923. During his time with Brighton, he showcased his goal-scoring prowess, finding the net 123 times in 209 matches, an impressive tally that included eight hat tricks. 

Notably, Cook became the first Brighton player to represent England at the international level, a remarkable achievement considering the club's status as a third division side at the time. 

Following an immensely successful soccer career, Cook transitioned to professional cricket, where he continued to excel, amassing over 20,000 runs. His dedication to serving his country extended to World War II, further cementing his status as a true hero. 

Parameters for ranking 

These legendary Brighton players have been ranked based on their impact on the club during their time there as a player. Many of them played many years in Brighton colors and contributed to major milestones in the teams history, including the double promotion between 2000 and 2002.  

Individual accolades, goals scored and other achievements have also been taken into consideration, resulting in a list of 10 all time great Brighton talents.  

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