Ajax 0 Brighton 2 (Europa League)

27 years ago Brighton faced Mansfield in the old Division Four in a relegation fight before a crowd less than 2,000 in the Withdean Stadium.

At the same team Ajax had a leading European team comprising Dennis Bergkamp, Edwin van der Sar, Edgar Davids , Clarence Seejdorf, Danny Blund, Patrick Kluivert and Marc Overmars.

Yesterday a youthful Ajax were easily beaten by Brighton with well-taken goals from Ansi Fatu and Adingra.

The Seagulls now have 7 points and victory over AEK Athens will guarantee qualification to the next round, though I think the match against Olympique Marseilles will be the crucial one.

I read a patronising comment that the big Italian Clubs are now obliged to sell to the likes of Brentford and Brighton.

For all its faults the Premier League is where the best players want to play.

Football is a cycle.  It’s all too easy to live in the past.

Perhaps one day Brighton will be relegated and the defeat of Ajax home and away heralded by future fans.