The name Phil Prosser used to be dirty words for Albion fans. Maybe it still is for some.

The Gloucestershire referee caused uproar when his penalty decisions helped Sheffield United beat the Seagulls 4-2 at Withdean back in 2002.

Gary Hart and Graham Barrett put the struggling hosts 2-0 up in the first home league match under boss Steve Coppell.

But Carl Asaba and boss Neil Warnock masterminded a Blades fightback, helped by Prosser’s big calls.

That was perhaps the closest any of the last ten ‘permanent’ managers (as opposed to caretakers) has come to winning his first home league match in charge.

None have managed it since Paul Rogers and a Lee Steele brace secured a 3-0 win over Oldham in October, 2001, when Peter Taylor took charge for the first time.

His successor Martin Hinshelwood saw a 0-0 draw with Coventry in his home bow as permanent boss.

Coppell took over from him and his successor was Mark McGhee who, after a cup tie, saw his first league game end in a 4-1 defeat to Bristol City.

Albion turned the tables, of course, in the play-off final at the end of that campaign.

Eddie Howe scored the goal which secured a 2-2 draw for Bournemouth in Dean Wilkins’ first home match.

When Micky Adams returned in 2008, Albion beat Barnet 4-0 in a League Cup tie.

But his first home league game of that stint ended in a 1-1 draw versus Bristol Rovers.

Russell Slade started at home with a 3-1 defeat to Southend.

Gus Poyet’s home debut was an FA Cup replay win over Wycombe.

But his league stint kicked off in a 3-0 defeat to his old club Leeds.

Oscar Garcia began league life at the Amex by losing 2-1 to Derby and there were 1-0 reverses for both Sami Hyppia (to Sheffield Wednesday) and Chris Hughton (to Brentford).