Ahead of the Dons’ inaugural Sky Bet Championship campaign, mkdons.com takes a look at the new sides they will face in 2015/16.
Next up are Brighton & Hove Albion, who the Dons last played, and beat, in February 2011 – Daniel Powell grabbed the only goal in that game at stadiummk.
QUICK HITS
Head Coach: Chris Hughton
Key and notable players: Inigo Calderon, Lewis Dunk, Jake Forster-Caskey, Kazenga Lualua, Danny Stockdale
Former Dons: Adam Chicksen, Sam Baldock
Stadium: The American Express Community Stadium (30,750 capacity)
Nickname: The Seagulls
Kit: Blue and white striped shirt, blue shorts, blue socks
HISTORY
Brighton were founded in 1901 and played their early professional football in the Southern League before being elected to the Football League in 1920.
The Seagulls enjoyed their greatest prominence between 1979 and 1983 when they played in the First Division and reached the 1983 FA Cup Final - losing to Manchester United after a replay.
Relegated from the top division in the same season, Brighton then fell through the divisions and they narrowly avoided dropping into the Conference in 1997 and 1998.
Brighton then returned to success with back-to-back promotions between 2000 and 2002. Since claiming back their place in the second tier of English football, they have played seven of their 13 seasons there ever since.
LAST SEASON
Brighton ended the 2014/15 season in 20th place, just six points adrift of the relegation places.
Under the guidance of Sami Hyypia, the Seagulls struggled at the start of the year and they won just three of their opening 22 games before the Liverpool man was dismissed and replaced by Chris Hughton.
In Hughton’s first five league games in charge, Brighton lost just once and they did enough throughout the remainder of the campaign to avoid dropping into the bottom three.
THIS SEASON
Prior to the season’s end, Brighton offered new contracts to goalkeeper Casper Ankergren and defender Inigo Calderon – both of whom have since put pen-to-paper on new one-year deals.
The East Sussex club have also signed winger Joe Ward from non-league Chelmsford City for an undisclosed fee after the 19-year-old impressed during a two-game trial.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls have allowed Craig Mackail-Smith, Kemy Agustien, Aaron Hughes, Vitaliks Maksimenko and Paddy McCourt to leave upon the expiry of their contracts.
Watch every home match of the Dons’ first season in the Championship by signing up for a 2015/16 season ticket. Adult prices start from £32 a month*, under-18s from just £3.50 a month*, while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons membership** - click here for a full list of prices!
To sign up, visit the Box Office at stadiummk/kiosk at thecentre:mk or call 0333 200 5343.
**the FREE under-12s offer is no longer available in clubRed – click here for more information
*cost over 10 months with two months payment up front
QUICK HITS
Head Coach: Chris Hughton
Key and notable players: Inigo Calderon, Lewis Dunk, Jake Forster-Caskey, Kazenga Lualua, Danny Stockdale
Former Dons: Adam Chicksen, Sam Baldock
Stadium: The American Express Community Stadium (30,750 capacity)
Nickname: The Seagulls
Kit: Blue and white striped shirt, blue shorts, blue socks
HISTORY
Brighton were founded in 1901 and played their early professional football in the Southern League before being elected to the Football League in 1920.
The Seagulls enjoyed their greatest prominence between 1979 and 1983 when they played in the First Division and reached the 1983 FA Cup Final - losing to Manchester United after a replay.
Relegated from the top division in the same season, Brighton then fell through the divisions and they narrowly avoided dropping into the Conference in 1997 and 1998.
Brighton then returned to success with back-to-back promotions between 2000 and 2002. Since claiming back their place in the second tier of English football, they have played seven of their 13 seasons there ever since.
LAST SEASON
Brighton ended the 2014/15 season in 20th place, just six points adrift of the relegation places.
Under the guidance of Sami Hyypia, the Seagulls struggled at the start of the year and they won just three of their opening 22 games before the Liverpool man was dismissed and replaced by Chris Hughton.
In Hughton’s first five league games in charge, Brighton lost just once and they did enough throughout the remainder of the campaign to avoid dropping into the bottom three.
THIS SEASON
Prior to the season’s end, Brighton offered new contracts to goalkeeper Casper Ankergren and defender Inigo Calderon – both of whom have since put pen-to-paper on new one-year deals.
The East Sussex club have also signed winger Joe Ward from non-league Chelmsford City for an undisclosed fee after the 19-year-old impressed during a two-game trial.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls have allowed Craig Mackail-Smith, Kemy Agustien, Aaron Hughes, Vitaliks Maksimenko and Paddy McCourt to leave upon the expiry of their contracts.
Watch every home match of the Dons’ first season in the Championship by signing up for a 2015/16 season ticket. Adult prices start from £32 a month*, under-18s from just £3.50 a month*, while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons membership** - click here for a full list of prices!
To sign up, visit the Box Office at stadiummk/kiosk at thecentre:mk or call 0333 200 5343.
**the FREE under-12s offer is no longer available in clubRed – click here for more information
*cost over 10 months with two months payment up front
