25/26 Team Overview - Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton, Albion/The Seagulls, BHA

Author

nick lochner
August 15, 2025

2024/25 Finish - 8th Place

Best In Their History. A Medium sized club with history, just not in the top levels, who are currently on a great run. Two years ago, manager Graham Potter seemed to be pushing all the right buttons, but then left in the early season for Big 6 club Chelsea. That did not phase BHA, they just kept winning and had their highest ever finish in the top league. Brighton have not been a consistent top-level club until they reached the PL for the first time in 2017 and will be entering their eighth consecutive season in the league. The first four years BHA fought to just avoid relegation finishing 15, 17, 15 and 16. The last four years have seen BHA achieve their best finishes in the top league 9, 6, 11 and 8 and play in a Europe competition for the first time.

Rolling the Dice. When BHA and manager De Zerbi “mutually” parted ways the last week of last season concerns started circling that the Seagulls fall from 6th to 11th place was just the beginning of a free fall. BHA had their highest finish ever in the PL three seasons ago. Owner Tony Bloom has done a great job getting BHA to this position with sound decision making, but his decision to hire Fabian Hurzeler seemed like a big risk. The 31-year-old Hurzeler became the youngest PL manager ever. Seems to be a pretty good hire so far.

Youngsters Again. BHA stick to their approach of buy youngsters and sell their better players, meaning they bring in more fees then they pay out. They rely in their ability to identify talent. That has been a winning combination over the years but does bring inconsistency and a reliance on young talent.

The Club

Located in Brighton & Hove (South England)

Falmer Stadium aka The Amex, 32,000 capacity

Rough estimates

$250M Annual Revenue

$60M Player Payroll

History on the Pitch

  • Highest finish, 6th in 2023

  • 0 FA Cups

  • 0 Europe Cups

Sponsorship

Home

Away

Ownership

The Lizard - Tony Bloom is a sports bettor, poker player, entrepreneur and majority owner of BHA. Bloom’s wealth has been achieved through gaming websites and value betting on sporting events. He heads a private betting syndicate and significant real estate holdings.

In 2009 Bloom secured $125M in funding for the new stadium and a 75% share of the club.

Bloom is a lifelong Brighton fan whose family has been associated with the club in director and vice-chairman roles.

Biggest Rival - Crystal Palace

Unofficial A23 Derby

  • A surprising rival, as the clubs are 40 miles apart.

  • The rivalry dates back to the 1970s when both clubs were fighting for promotion out of Level 3. They both ended up getting promoted, and the animosity continued in Level 2.

  • The Interstate A23 runs directly from one stadium to the other.

  • In 143 Matches played BHA has 51W 51L 41D.

The Culture

BHA spent very little time in the top league, but when they got there, they made the most of it and achieved a Europe spot for the first time ever in 2023. Brighton feels a little different than many of the other clubs in the PL and The Championship. Geographically, they are isolated from most other teams, so they don’t have a local rival. They also sold their traditional stadium of 95 years in 1997, Goldstone Ground in Hove. The fans were not happy with the decision and it cost the club good will and a lot of ticket sales revenue. From 1998-2011 the club played at two separate small stadiums, until a new stadium was built, Falmer Stadium.

Young, high potential talent and the Europa League last season, for the first time ever and there is lots of excitement and energy surrounding the club. Owner and fan Tony Bloom has continued to push the right buttons.

New to Level 1 & Europe

In BHA’s history they have spent more time in Level 3 than any other Level:

  • Level 1 - 13 Seasons (incl. 2017-25)

  • Level 2 - 24 Seasons

  • Level 3 - 55 Seasons

  • Level 4 - 7 Seasons

Supporters You May Recognize

  • Mark Williams - Arthur Weasley

  • Fatboy Slim _ DJ

  • Celebrities local to the UK

The New Oak

Song

Also known as A Horse Galloping, was written in 1907 and is considered the unofficial county anthem of Sussex.

“Good old Sussex by the sea, Good old Sussex by the sea. Oh, we’re going up to win the cup For Sussex by the sea.”

Game Day Pub Guide

Fan Sites

Official Twitter

@OfficialBHAFC

High Follows on Twitter

@BrightonBubble (14k)

@SeagullsSocial (12k)

@albionroar (9k)

@AlbionAnalytics (7k)

@bhafcstateside (3k)

The Team

The Gaffer

  • Fabian Hurzeler (German), 32yo.

  • Youngest manager ever in the PL.

  • Very little managerial experience, an assistant 2018-2020 with the Germany U20 team and then FC St Pauli where he took over last season as Manager.

  • Great first season leading

Fabian Hurzeler

ODDS

  • To Win League +22,000

  • To Be Relegated +1,325

Roster Notes

Full Roster click link

CS Projected to finish 11th.

  • Charalampos Kostoulas

  • Maxim De Cuyper

  • Tom Watson

  • Carlos Baleba

  • Adria Mazliu

  • Tom Watson

  • Lewis Dunk

  • Danny Welbeck

  • Kaoru Mitoma

Goalkeeper

  • Bart Verbruggen - Top 15 in PL.

American Express Stadium

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