Former England defender Matthew Upson retired in 2016 following a stellar Premier League career with clubs including Arsenal, West Ham United and Stoke City.
Upson, who also represented his country at Under-18 and Under-21 level, spent 18 months with today’s opponents Brighton & Hove Albion, during a period when the Sussex club were emerging as genuine contenders in the unforgiving scrap to escape the Championship.
He joined on loan from Stoke in January 2013 and was part of the Brighton team beaten by arch-foes Crystal Palace in that season’s play-off semi-finals.
Centre-back Upson subsequently penned a permanent deal at the Amex Stadium, the shimmering monument to Brighton’s wonderful recovery from the brink of oblivion scarcely 20 years ago, and was crowned Albion player of the year for the 2013/14 campaign.
Upson Gives Brighton Lowdown
