The Goldstone Wrap

Here is a replica of the striking green Umbro away kit that Peter Taylor’s Brighton side wore for a single season, in 1975/76:

With yellow numbering on the back, it is best known as the kit that Peter Ward wore on his goalscoring debut for Brighton at eventual Division Three champions Hereford United in March 1976:

In that match, it was worn with white shorts and green socks:

It was also the kit when Brighton won 1-0 at Selhurst Park in September 1975, thanks to Barry Butlin’s goal.

However, there were some occasions when it was necessary for the shirt to be coupled with blue shorts, such as the FA Cup 2nd Round match at Gillingham in December 1975, when Albion triumphed 1-0 in a rare away victory for Taylor’s men:

Peter O’Sullivan in action against Gillingham but it is Gerry Fell that gets the only goal.

I’m not sure if Albion players found it hard to spot each other when playing on a plush grassy field (surely a rarity in the Third Division in those days?), but the green Umbro shirts gave way to some red ones at the start of the following campaign.