Legends on legends - Brighton

Integral to the Brighton team that reached the FA Cup Final in 1983, and later the Luton Town side that shocked Arsenal to win the League Cup in 1988, Steve Foster was good enough to win three England caps and make the squad for the 1982 World Cup finals.

Born in Portsmouth, Steve, now 63, was actually a schoolboy at Southampton, but eventually went back to his home-town club and began his career at Fratton Park in 1983.

Brighton came calling in 1979, and he ended up playing over 300 times for the Seagulls in two spells, 1979-84 and then 1992-96, eventually retiring aged 39. In-between, he joined Luton in 1984, before leaving for Oxford in 1989 and then returning ‘home’ to the Goldstone Ground.

A defensive rock, famed for wearing his white headband, Foster captained Brighton to the FA Cup Final in 1983, but was suspended for the initial tie against Manchester United that ended 2-2, and included the famous, ‘and Smith must score’ commentary when Gordon Smith missed a chance to claim a famous win late on. Foster returned for the replay, but Brighton lost 4-0.

“Steve was a good lad, he’d give it, he’d take it and he wouldn’t get all upset about it,” recalled our former striker Mark Falco, who turned 60 on 22 October “In fact, he’d always have a bit of a chat during the game, have a bit of a laugh.

“He played with a smile on his face and enjoyed his football. He was tough though, yes, a big old lump! But we all were in those days – centre-halves and centre forwards! We had a few good contests when he was at Brighton, and when he was later at Luton. I certainly wouldn’t argue with him!

“Steve was a driving force behind a good Brighton side that reached the FA Cup Final in 1983. We picked up Gary Stevens from there. Luton were also a good side in the mid-1980s. He was a good defender, organised his defence, he was brave, would stick he head in, but also brave in the sense of telling players when they weren’t doing their jobs. Mitchell Thomas was in that Luton side, so you think of Gary and Mitchell, both signed for Spurs, and he’s helped bring along some younger players.

“He played for England as well, don’t forget that. He won three caps and went to the 1982 World Cup, so that shows his quality. I still see Steve now, usually at golf events, and we have a good giggle. He’s the same - a nice man, great character. Okay, we might have kicked lumps out of each other, but he’s good company, good to be around.”