Founded in 1900, Brighton were a founder member of the Southern League. They were elected to the Football League in 1920. Between 1979 and 1983 they were in the old First Division. In 1983 they reached the final of the FA Cup, which they lost 4-0 to Manchester United after replay. They were relegated from the first division in the same season.
For many years they were based at the Goldstone Ground in Hove, until financial concerns drove them to sell their ground. For a year they shared grounds with Gillingham, but have since returned to Brighton, where they now play at the Withdean Stadium.
The sale of the ground, implemented by majority shareholder Bill Archer and his chief executive David Bellotti proved controversial and the move provoked widespread protests against the board.
Famous Supporters include: Fatboy Slim, who owns a minority stake in the club, and whose record label Skint Records sponsors the club; comedian Norman Wisdom who was once a director of the club and wrote new words for the club's song "Sussex by the Sea" (which was composed by William Ward-Higgs in 1907); and Desmond Lynam, a leading British television sports presenter.