Why Sheffield Wednesday's FA Cup clash at Brighton evokes special memories for both sets of supporters

The two sides lock horns in the FA Cup tomorrow for the first time since they played out a semi-final classic at a sun-drenched Highbury, the former home of Arsenal, in April 1983.

On that occasion it was top flight Albion who triumphed by putting their dreadful league form behind them to overcome Second Division Wednesday 2-1.

The game is widely considered to be one of the best FA Cup semi-finals of all time and evokes memories of what might have been for Wednesday diehards.

At the time, the Owls – who boasted the likes of Gary Bannister, Mel Sterland and Gary Shelton in their line-up – were pushing for promotion to the old First Division and were heavily-fancied to come out on top against the Seagulls.

But it wasn’t to be for Wednesday, who went on to finish sixth that season before clinching promotion back to the big time the following year.

“I have never left a game so disappointed, I was in tears at the end,” remembers one Owls fan.

Brighton inflicted more misery on Wednesday 20 years later when a 1-1 at the old Withdean stadium condemned them to League One football – just three seasons after relegation from the Premier League.

However, on Easter Monday 2006 it was the turn of Albion supporters to suffer heartbreak when a Gary Hart own goal and a Burton O'Brien effort relegated Mark McGhee’s side from the Championship at the Withdean.

Tomorrow's occasion at the Amex will be bring back fond memories for Wednesdayites, who witnessed their side draw 1-1 in the second leg of the 2016 Championship play-off semi-finals at the same venue to book a place in the Wembley final.

The Seagulls went on to win promotion to the top flight a year later at the end of a campaign which saw them twice beat the Owls 2-1.

It’s fair to say that while tomorrow’s third round clash may not have captured the imagination nationally, it’s one with plenty of history.