The Saints had played there for 103 years, having originally shared with Hampshire County Cricket at the County Ground. It was Arsenal who joined in the celebration. The Gunners twice took the lead with Hassan Kachloul, a Moroccan international, equalising. Matt Le Tissier, a 32 year old, came on as sub to score the winner in the 89th minute.
A week later Brighton and Hove Albion came to The Dell to play a friendly, a result that didn't matter much, but it made history because the first team to play at Dell was Brighton United on September 3rd 1898.
Brighton United was founded in 1898 and played in the Southern League. Their first league match was at Southampton's (It was actually Southampton St Mary's club at that time) new stadium, The Dell, losing 4-1.
Roddy McLeod, a Scot, who had previously played for West Bromwich Albion and Leicester Fosse scored United's one goal. McLeod was in the WBA winning FA Cup Final team in 1892 and the WBA FA Cup Final losing team in 1895.
There were nine other Scots in the Brighton ranks. It looked as though the club had a few £££s to spare and were signing on a number of professionals, mainly from north of the border. The Scots were migrating past the "rich" Lancashire clubs and finding contracts in the south.
Bill Hendry, a full back, was another Scot, who had been at West Bromwich also and Stoke City, Preston NE and Sheffield United.
Maurice Perry, a Welsh international, had come from Liverpool FC and held two Football League Championship medals from the early 20th century.
Paddy Farrell was an Irish international and had been round the clubs.
Brighton definitely over stretched themselves however, despite a reasonable start in the League coming 10th out of 13th. In the next season they had to resign from the league in March 1900 with four games left. Their record was "expunged". Brighton and Hove Albion reformed in 1901, joining the Southern League and joined the new Division Three of the Football League, when it expanded, in 1920.
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