Pinamonte ought really to receive a hero's welcome from the 3,000 Seagulls supporters. He is, after all, the man who had things turned out differently would have prevented Bobby Zamora's move to Albion.
The 22-year-old from Verona joined Albion on a month's loan from Bristol City in December 1999.
Pinamonte was instantly popular on and off the pitch. Supporters warmed to him and he soon settled into Hove's Italian community, striking up a rapport with season ticket holder and restaurant owner Angelo Cavallo.
There was talk on a fans' website of a fund-raising campaign to buy him. Albion made an undisclosed bid and chairman Dick Knight pledged to pull out all the stops to make his move permanent.
But Ron Noades already had his eye on signing Pinamonte for Brentford.
A £75,000 offer and a lucrative three and a half year contract lured Pinamonte to Griffin Park part way through his second month on loan with the Seagulls.
Albion turned instead to Zamora. He made his debut just 11 days after Pinamonte's departure.
Events since suggest fate dealt Albion a very favourable hand. While Zamora has plundered 20 goals, Pinamonte's move to Brentford rapidly turned into a nightmare.
