Why do Crystal Palace and Brighton have a rivalry?

Crystal Palace & Brighton rivalry
(Image credit: Getty)

There's no love lost between Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion. It's a rivalry that was never based on location, though, with 37 miles separating the two clubs.

In 1974/75, extra police were deployed to control the 26,000-strong crowd in the first match between the two sides for 11 years, as Malcolm Allison and Peter Taylor locked horns in the dugout. During Allison's stint as Palace manager, he complained about overly physical tactics, while the games at Selhurst Park were sell-outs, with both sides vying for promotion. 

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Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.