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The remarkable rise of Brighton: Impressing Pep Guardiola, superb signings and an FA Cup semifinal

BRIGHTON, England -- An hour or so after the open training session has finished, with the rain pouring and seagulls swirling around the blue and white seats, a few of the Brighton & Hove Albion players are still signing autographs. There are a couple of hundred fans left from the 4,000 or so who have flocked to the AMEX Stadium -- Brighton's home ground -- to watch their team practice. It's the Easter break and the lower tier of the west stand is packed with families of all ages.

These are common sights and sounds for a Premier League club with European aims.