The History Man
Active member
An update to the records posting a couple of weeks ago - and corrections. Correct (I hope) to 13th April. And including one important potential record I overlooked last time.
These records discount seasons 1901/02 and 1902/03 in the Southern League Division Two in which just 16 and 10 games were played respectively, and wartime leagues 1939-46. Albion played in the Southern League until 1920, the Football League thereafter.
Table-based records
Fewest league goals conceded
Club record in Football League is 34 (1922/23, 1984/85), both seasons over 42 games. Albion currently on 32 this season. In 1909/10 they conceded 28 goals in 42 Southern League games, so we cannot beat that even in terms of goals conceded per game. To better 1922/23 and 1984/85 on goals per game would mean 37 or fewer. The 46-game record came in 2000/01 when they conceded 35.
Fewest league defeats
Club record is 6 (1909/10, 2001/02). Albion currently on 5.
Most league wins
Club record is 29 (1955/56). Albion currently on 27.
Fewest home league defeats
Club record is 0 (1964/65). Will be equalled if Albion remain undefeated at home.
Most away league wins
Club record is 12 (1971/72). Albion currently on 10.
Fewest away league goals conceded
Club record is 17 (1909/10, 1977/78, both 42 games – equivalent to 18.6 over 46 games). Albion currently on 15 goals.
Most league points (under three points/win)
Most is 92 (2000/01). This would have been exceeded in 1955/56 at 94 if three points/win had operated. Albion currently on 90.
Most home league points (under three points/win)
Most is 59 (2001/02). If three points/win had operated, this would have been exceeded by 1955/56 (62), 1976/77 (60) and equalled by 1964/65. Albion currently on 55.
Most away league points (under three points/win)
Most is 35 set this season. If three points/win had operated, this would have been exceeded by 1971/72 (42) and 1957/58 (39).
Best away goal difference
Club record is 14 (1971/72). Albion currently on 11.
You might like to know that the record number of home wins was 20 in 1955/56 (this season 17). 51 home goals is the most since 2000/01 (52), most ever was 73 in 1955/56. 17 home goals against is the lowest since 2003/04 (just 11!). 5 away defeats fewest since ... 2009/10 (also 5)!
Sequence-based records
Consecutive games without defeat
Whoops, one I had overlooked the possibilities of! The record (league-and-cup) is 17 from 1987/88, the league-only record 16 from 1930/31. Currently on 11, so if Albion remain unbeaten they would equal their league record.
Consecutive wins home and away
Recent sequence of eight league wins is one fewer than the record of 1926/27. That 1926/27 sequence was extended to 10 in terms of league and cup games. The recent sequence was a post-war record for league and league-and-cup.
Consecutive home wins (league and cup)
Albion are currently on 12. The record is 14 in 1975/76. The league-only record is 14 in one season, 1955/56 and 1975/76, but this can't be matched this season as we are currently on 11. Across two seasons they won 15 league games on the trot in 1911/12 and 1912/13.
Consecutive home games without losing
If Albion remain undefeated in the league at home, they will equal the undefeated league record of 1964/65. They would also equal the league-and-cup sequence record of 24 games set in 1964/65 (but would not be undefeated having lost to Leyton Orient in the JPT). The league record across more than one season is 27 (1975/76 and 1976/77). We are currently on 23.
Consecutive home league games scoring
If Albion score at least one goal in each of their remaining home games, they will equal the record 23 of 1955/56 by scoring in every home league game. Across more than one season we are on 27. The record is 46 (1954/55, 1955/56 and 1956/57)!
Consecutive away wins
Albion's draw at Rochdale means the five-wins records of 1998/99 (league) and 1926/27 (league and cup) remain unequalled.
Calendar months
Albion’s eight wins out of eight in March sets a new record for the number of wins in one calendar month, beating the seven (out of seven) in October 1926.
Results-based records
Most home and away league “doubles” for
Club record is 8 (1936/37, 1955/56, 1964/65 and now 2010/11). Further opportunities against Walsall, Colchester United and Notts County.
Fewest home and away league “doubles” against
Club record is 0 (1909/10, 1911/12, 1922/23, 1923/24, 1930/31, 1955/56, 1957/58, 1964/65, 1971/72, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1978/79, 1987/88, 2003/04). Albion currently on 0, but must not lose to Huddersfield Town. (Southampton mentioned erroneously last time - sorry!)
Most clean sheets in league
Club record is 24 (2000/01). Albion currently on 20, 10 home and 10 away. Record at home is 16 (2003/04), away is 11 (2000/01).
Attendance records
Best home league average attendance at Withdean
Club record is 6,802 (2005/06). Currently 7,262 (which is the best home average since 1994/95 – 7,562, ie including last two seasons at the Goldstone).
Biggest gate at Withdean
For the record, the biggest league gate at Withdean is 8.691 v Leeds United (20/10/2007). The biggest of all is 8,729 v Manchester City (24/09/2008, Carling Cup).
Personnel records (and notable facts)
Most players born outside British Isles
Six “foreign-born” players were on the pitch at the same time for the last five minutes against Exeter City on 02/11/2010, thereby outnumbering the “home” players for the only time in history. They were: Ankergren, Calderon, Kishishev, LuaLua, Baz and Battipiedi.
Penalties
I don’t know for certain without laborious checking, but I assume this is the worst season for penalty misses! It is probably also up there among the seasons with most penalties awarded. There are records available for the past 15 seasons which show this is the worst season of those 15 in terms of success rate (53% - eight scored from 15 awarded) apart from 2004/05 when we scored just one of three penalties awarded. It is also four ahead of 2003/04 with the most penalties awarded, currently 15.
Casper Ankergren
Casper has conceded 34 goals in 42 league and cup games, an average of 0.81 per game. This is the best average of any goalkeeper with more than 3 appearances. The next best is Ben Roberts (35 goals in 41 matches, average 0.85).
Glenn Murray
Glenn is currently 20th in the list of Albion league goalscorers with 53 goals, or ninth post-war. He is unlikely to catch Peter Harburn or Sam Jennings on 61 this season, but may overtake Jack Doran (54) and Arthur Attwood (55). In league and cup he is 24th overall, 11th post-war, with 56 goals.
Chris Wood
Chris is the leading Albion goalscorer while on loan from another club, with 10goals.
Inigo Calderon
Inigo has seven goals this season, the most goals by a full-back excluding penalties in one season. (Jimmy Langley in 1955/56 and Paul Watson in 2000/01 both scored eight including penalties.)
Gus Poyet
Gus’s overall league points/game is 1.88, which is second of permanent managers to Peter Taylor (1.97 in 2001/02). It would need 107 points this season for him to move ahead, so he can't do it this season - apologies, miscalculation last time. 105 points, the maximum possible, would give him 1.95 average as he had 45 points from 31 games last season.
Double-figures scorers in a season (league)
If Wood scores another goal, we will have three players (Murray, Barnes, Wood) in double figures in the league for the first time since 1985/86 (Saunders, Connor, Wilson).
Ever-present in league
Ankergren and Painter have started all 41 league matches so far. If they start the next five games, they will be the first ever-presents since Paul Watson in 2000/01. The last time two players were ever-present starters was 1987/88 (Chivers and Nelson).
And to finish on a slightly bizarre note, this is the tallest Albion team ever (based on published heights of players starting league matches, although these do tend to vary) at an average of 5ft 11.6 in.
These records discount seasons 1901/02 and 1902/03 in the Southern League Division Two in which just 16 and 10 games were played respectively, and wartime leagues 1939-46. Albion played in the Southern League until 1920, the Football League thereafter.
Table-based records
Fewest league goals conceded
Club record in Football League is 34 (1922/23, 1984/85), both seasons over 42 games. Albion currently on 32 this season. In 1909/10 they conceded 28 goals in 42 Southern League games, so we cannot beat that even in terms of goals conceded per game. To better 1922/23 and 1984/85 on goals per game would mean 37 or fewer. The 46-game record came in 2000/01 when they conceded 35.
Fewest league defeats
Club record is 6 (1909/10, 2001/02). Albion currently on 5.
Most league wins
Club record is 29 (1955/56). Albion currently on 27.
Fewest home league defeats
Club record is 0 (1964/65). Will be equalled if Albion remain undefeated at home.
Most away league wins
Club record is 12 (1971/72). Albion currently on 10.
Fewest away league goals conceded
Club record is 17 (1909/10, 1977/78, both 42 games – equivalent to 18.6 over 46 games). Albion currently on 15 goals.
Most league points (under three points/win)
Most is 92 (2000/01). This would have been exceeded in 1955/56 at 94 if three points/win had operated. Albion currently on 90.
Most home league points (under three points/win)
Most is 59 (2001/02). If three points/win had operated, this would have been exceeded by 1955/56 (62), 1976/77 (60) and equalled by 1964/65. Albion currently on 55.
Most away league points (under three points/win)
Most is 35 set this season. If three points/win had operated, this would have been exceeded by 1971/72 (42) and 1957/58 (39).
Best away goal difference
Club record is 14 (1971/72). Albion currently on 11.
You might like to know that the record number of home wins was 20 in 1955/56 (this season 17). 51 home goals is the most since 2000/01 (52), most ever was 73 in 1955/56. 17 home goals against is the lowest since 2003/04 (just 11!). 5 away defeats fewest since ... 2009/10 (also 5)!
Sequence-based records
Consecutive games without defeat
Whoops, one I had overlooked the possibilities of! The record (league-and-cup) is 17 from 1987/88, the league-only record 16 from 1930/31. Currently on 11, so if Albion remain unbeaten they would equal their league record.
Consecutive wins home and away
Recent sequence of eight league wins is one fewer than the record of 1926/27. That 1926/27 sequence was extended to 10 in terms of league and cup games. The recent sequence was a post-war record for league and league-and-cup.
Consecutive home wins (league and cup)
Albion are currently on 12. The record is 14 in 1975/76. The league-only record is 14 in one season, 1955/56 and 1975/76, but this can't be matched this season as we are currently on 11. Across two seasons they won 15 league games on the trot in 1911/12 and 1912/13.
Consecutive home games without losing
If Albion remain undefeated in the league at home, they will equal the undefeated league record of 1964/65. They would also equal the league-and-cup sequence record of 24 games set in 1964/65 (but would not be undefeated having lost to Leyton Orient in the JPT). The league record across more than one season is 27 (1975/76 and 1976/77). We are currently on 23.
Consecutive home league games scoring
If Albion score at least one goal in each of their remaining home games, they will equal the record 23 of 1955/56 by scoring in every home league game. Across more than one season we are on 27. The record is 46 (1954/55, 1955/56 and 1956/57)!
Consecutive away wins
Albion's draw at Rochdale means the five-wins records of 1998/99 (league) and 1926/27 (league and cup) remain unequalled.
Calendar months
Albion’s eight wins out of eight in March sets a new record for the number of wins in one calendar month, beating the seven (out of seven) in October 1926.
Results-based records
Most home and away league “doubles” for
Club record is 8 (1936/37, 1955/56, 1964/65 and now 2010/11). Further opportunities against Walsall, Colchester United and Notts County.
Fewest home and away league “doubles” against
Club record is 0 (1909/10, 1911/12, 1922/23, 1923/24, 1930/31, 1955/56, 1957/58, 1964/65, 1971/72, 1976/77, 1977/78, 1978/79, 1987/88, 2003/04). Albion currently on 0, but must not lose to Huddersfield Town. (Southampton mentioned erroneously last time - sorry!)
Most clean sheets in league
Club record is 24 (2000/01). Albion currently on 20, 10 home and 10 away. Record at home is 16 (2003/04), away is 11 (2000/01).
Attendance records
Best home league average attendance at Withdean
Club record is 6,802 (2005/06). Currently 7,262 (which is the best home average since 1994/95 – 7,562, ie including last two seasons at the Goldstone).
Biggest gate at Withdean
For the record, the biggest league gate at Withdean is 8.691 v Leeds United (20/10/2007). The biggest of all is 8,729 v Manchester City (24/09/2008, Carling Cup).
Personnel records (and notable facts)
Most players born outside British Isles
Six “foreign-born” players were on the pitch at the same time for the last five minutes against Exeter City on 02/11/2010, thereby outnumbering the “home” players for the only time in history. They were: Ankergren, Calderon, Kishishev, LuaLua, Baz and Battipiedi.
Penalties
I don’t know for certain without laborious checking, but I assume this is the worst season for penalty misses! It is probably also up there among the seasons with most penalties awarded. There are records available for the past 15 seasons which show this is the worst season of those 15 in terms of success rate (53% - eight scored from 15 awarded) apart from 2004/05 when we scored just one of three penalties awarded. It is also four ahead of 2003/04 with the most penalties awarded, currently 15.
Casper Ankergren
Casper has conceded 34 goals in 42 league and cup games, an average of 0.81 per game. This is the best average of any goalkeeper with more than 3 appearances. The next best is Ben Roberts (35 goals in 41 matches, average 0.85).
Glenn Murray
Glenn is currently 20th in the list of Albion league goalscorers with 53 goals, or ninth post-war. He is unlikely to catch Peter Harburn or Sam Jennings on 61 this season, but may overtake Jack Doran (54) and Arthur Attwood (55). In league and cup he is 24th overall, 11th post-war, with 56 goals.
Chris Wood
Chris is the leading Albion goalscorer while on loan from another club, with 10goals.
Inigo Calderon
Inigo has seven goals this season, the most goals by a full-back excluding penalties in one season. (Jimmy Langley in 1955/56 and Paul Watson in 2000/01 both scored eight including penalties.)
Gus Poyet
Gus’s overall league points/game is 1.88, which is second of permanent managers to Peter Taylor (1.97 in 2001/02). It would need 107 points this season for him to move ahead, so he can't do it this season - apologies, miscalculation last time. 105 points, the maximum possible, would give him 1.95 average as he had 45 points from 31 games last season.
Double-figures scorers in a season (league)
If Wood scores another goal, we will have three players (Murray, Barnes, Wood) in double figures in the league for the first time since 1985/86 (Saunders, Connor, Wilson).
Ever-present in league
Ankergren and Painter have started all 41 league matches so far. If they start the next five games, they will be the first ever-presents since Paul Watson in 2000/01. The last time two players were ever-present starters was 1987/88 (Chivers and Nelson).
And to finish on a slightly bizarre note, this is the tallest Albion team ever (based on published heights of players starting league matches, although these do tend to vary) at an average of 5ft 11.6 in.
