The Goldstone Ground and Brighton’s Last Game at Their Iconic Home
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For over a century, the Goldstone Ground was the beating heart of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. From its opening in 1902 to its controversial closure in 1997, the stadium hosted generations of fans, countless memorable matches, and witnessed both triumph and turmoil. Today, the story of the Goldstone remains a key chapter in Brighton’s history — and its final game was an emotional farewell.
A Century of Football at the Goldstone Ground
The Goldstone Ground, located in Hove, became Brighton & Hove Albion’s home in 1902. Originally a humble venue, it gradually developed into a ground with covered stands, terraces, and a capacity that once exceeded 35,000 spectators during its peak years.
Throughout the decades, it hosted not only league football but also FA Cup ties, promotion battles, and even England youth internationals. For many fans, it wasn’t just a football stadium — it was a community hub.
The Controversial Sale and Fan Protests
By the mid-1990s, Brighton were in financial crisis. The club’s board decided to sell the Goldstone Ground, a move that angered supporters, especially as plans for a permanent new stadium were unclear.
Protests became a regular feature, with fans expressing their anger at matches, holding banners, and even staging pitch invasions. The campaign to save Brighton & Hove Albion became one of English football’s most passionate fan-led movements.
The Final Game: Brighton vs Doncaster Rovers – April 26, 1997
The last ever competitive match at the Goldstone Ground took place on 26 April 1997, when Brighton hosted Doncaster Rovers in the old Division Three (now League Two).
The match carried huge importance — Brighton were fighting to avoid relegation to the Conference (non-league football). A packed crowd of around 11,000 filled the stands, creating an emotional yet defiant atmosphere.
Brighton won 1–0, thanks to a goal from Stuart Storer. That strike not only sealed victory in the Goldstone’s final match, but also played a crucial role in keeping the club’s Football League status alive.
After the Goldstone: Years in Exile
After leaving the Goldstone, Brighton spent two seasons ground-sharing at Gillingham’s Priestfield Stadium, meaning fans had to make a 140-mile round trip for home games.
In 1999, the club returned to Sussex, playing at the Withdean Stadium, before finally moving into their current home, the American Express Community Stadium (Amex), in 2011.
Legacy of the Goldstone Ground
Today, the site of the Goldstone Ground is occupied by a retail park, but for Brighton supporters, its memory lives on. The Goldstone represents the club’s resilience, the loyalty of its fanbase, and the fight for survival that paved the way for future success — including promotion to the Premier League in 2017.