When pre-season tours go wrong: The Battle of Longford | OneFootball

A pre-season friendly in Ireland in 2001 descended into chaos, as Brighton’s clash with Longford Town was halted before half time after brawls and three red cards. According to WeAreBrighton.com, it swiftly entered Albion folklore.

Micky Adams had long favoured Irish camps, with Fulham promoted in 1996-97 after one and Brighton lifting the Division Three title in 2000-01. He returned that summer for games with Sligo Rovers, Longford and Athlone Town.

Defeat at Sligo by 1-0 set a spiky tone. At Longford, Sean Prunty headed the hosts ahead inside 120 seconds, Matt Wicks’ errors sparked a row with Richard Carpenter and Carpenter was withdrawn on 15 minutes. After Andy Crosby was elbowed by Eric Levine, Wicks lunged in retaliation and was also taken off, before Paul Rogers thundered in a 30-yard equaliser on 22 minutes, and even the mild-mannered Paul Brooker was booked.

Adams had sent on Steve Melton to make his presence felt around Alan Reynolds. On 44 minutes Melton launched a high lunge that triggered a mass melee, and referee Dermot Tone, a late stand-in, dismissed Melton, Longford’s Alan Murphy and Charlie Oatway.

As Murphy walked the 100 metres to the dressing rooms, Oatway chased him and both teams and staff piled in, with Longford boss Stephen Kenny labelling Adams a disgrace and the Brighton manager swearing back. Adams ushered his players inside and ended the match, cancelled Athlone and the squad flew home. Brighton never returned to Ireland, yet 10 months later they were Division Two champions.

Source: WeAreBrighton.com