Martin Chivers’ single Brighton goal that helped seal promotion | OneFootball

Martin Chivers, one of Spurs’ great strikers, played only six times for Brighton, yet his single goal proved pivotal in the club’s 1979 promotion push.

According to WeAreBrighton.com, the former Southampton and Tottenham forward, by then at Norwich after a stint with Servette, came into Albion’s plans on 17 March 1979 when Teddy Maybank was sent off against Sheffield United. He and Alan Mullery spoke at a PFA dinner and, despite an Achilles problem, Chivers agreed to help, with Albion paying £15,000.

He skipped training to protect the injury and debuted in a 0-0 draw with Notts County. He then headed Peter Sayer’s cross in a 3-3 draw at Leyton Orient, a match shown on ITV’s The Big Match the next Sunday.

Brighton finished the season a point above Sunderland, underlining the value of that goal. His third outing was a 2-0 win over Charlton, Maybank returned for the run-in, and Chivers was at Newcastle when promotion was sealed.

After summer Achilles surgery, he played three more times in 1979-80, as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat at Coventry, then starts in a 4-2 loss to Norwich and a League Cup exit to Arsenal, his final professional game.

Mullery later said the gamble paid off, describing Chivers as a proven scorer who helped the club on and off the pitch.

Source: WeAreBrighton.com