I think despite how it eventually turned out Adams coming back was probably the most exciting for me. Slightly tainted of course with the treatment of Wilkins (although lets not start that again) but generally I think most were extremely excited at the prospect.
Poyet was exciting but an element of trepidation as he was so inexperienced when it came to management. To get that big a name in the footballing world though gave everyone a lift.
I think the appointment of Peter Taylor in 2001 was exciting as it was a possibility then that we were going to do well that season and that we were finally on the up having been in the depths of despair.
At the time Brady and I can remember his first home game upon arriving at the Goldstone and seeing the players doing a fitness/skills routine on the pitch, something that we see every game nowadays. Added to the fact he was already a famous person who I remember vividly as a youngter seeing him play on TV.
However, I think I was more excited when Gus got the job, couldn't quite believe he had chosen to come to our club.
To have a legend like Brady taking over from very average Bazza was incredibly exciting. It caused a real buzz around the club. Just a shame the club was in such rotten hands.
I don't think I've ever been excited by a managerial appointment.
Gus Poyet
Dean Wilkins
Martin Hinshelwood
Jeff Wood
Jimmy Case
Russell Slade
were all, as far as I knew at the time unproven.
Micky Adams (1st time)
Brian Horton
Steve Gritt
Liam Brady
Steve Coppell
I didn't really know much about them, saw them as the equivalent of journeymen managers.
Micky Adams (2nd time), I was annoyed at Dean Wilkins being "betrayed".
Mark Mcghee
Peter Taylor
While they had success at a higher level, the fact they were dropping down to us didn't bode well for their options at a higher level, it wasn't like they saw us as a better option, more as the only option and so I didn't think of them as invested in the club.
I don't remember us having a manager before Barry Lloyd, I'm pretty sure he was in charge when I started watching.
I didn't believe any of those saying never go back and really thought he was going to re-create his first spell at the club which up until now was by far my most enjoyable time following the Albion. How wrong I was!!
For me it was Nobby Horton's return. It was the only positive news we had back then and he had far too good a footballing managemnet pedigree to be managing us (at Gillingham) at the time.
For me it was Nobby Horton's return. It was the only positive news we had back then and he had far too good a footballing managemnet pedigree to be managing us (at Gillingham) at the time.
I was 10/11 at the time and my dad said to me, "son, we're not going to be so terrible any more, we've appointed Brian Horton". I was very happy, Jeff Wood was dire.
Micky Adams 1, absolutely perfect for us at the time. I was actually more excited about that than Poyet as I really had no idea if Poyet would be any good, Adams had an almost impeccable record when he took us over and we were starting to feel good about ourselves with a return to Brighton on the horizon
Gus, although like others I was very excited when Micky came back.
I remember going to the Worthing pre-season friendly that season, the sun was shining, Micky was back, "Keep The Faith" over the PA System.....felt like the start of something absolutely massive at the time.
Brady had been a fantastic player and out of his depth at Celtic but we hoped he would give us passion. Adams first time came with a superb record at Fulham. Adams second time - I hoped he could deliver again.