Instead, the rivalry stems from events in the early 1970s, when the two teams - once kept apart in the league ladder - began to play one another more regularly.

On the 11th August 1973, second-division Palace arranged a pre-season friendly with third-tier Brighton at the old Goldstone Ground, where a competitive atmosphere pervaded proceedings.

After Palace suffered back-to-back relegations, the two teams were scheduled to play their first competitive fixture in over 11 years on the opening day of the 74/75 season - 17th August, 1974, to be precise - when the rivalry between the two sets of supporters brewed further.

Following four further ill-tempered Division Three meetings - during one of which it was purported that Brighton gained their nickname 'Seagulls' (having previously been kn

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