Season Preview 20in20 - Brighton & Hove Albion

15 of 20 - Brighton, Albion/The Seagulls

Author

nick lochner
August 07, 2023

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2022/23 Finish - 6th Place, Qualified for Europa League

A Medium sized club who is on a great run. Manager Graham Potter seemed to be pushing all the right buttons, and then early season left for a big6 club, Chelsea. That did not phase BHA, they just kept winning and had their highest ever finish in the top league.

The Seagulls will need to add depth, but they do have some of the best young talent coming back to the roster, who will step up? Will it be Buonanotte (18yo), Ayari (19), Ferguson (18)? Look at this shot from Julio Encisco (19).

So while there are many questions to be answered, if BHA can keep their young talent, add some depth and get the young talent to step up they may surprise people and finish ahead of their projected 8th place.

The Club

Located in Brighton & Hove (South England)

Falmer Stadium aka American Express, 32,000 capacity

Rough estimates

$175M Annual Revenue

$55M Player Payroll

History on the Pitch

  • Highest finish, 6th in 2023

  • 0 FA Cups

  • 0 Europe Cups

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.

Sponsorship

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 137 Matches played BHA has 48W 50L 39D.

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, and the fans were not happy, and 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. Europe for the first time ever. Lots of excitement and energy. Uncharted territory for BHA will make the upcoming season very interesting.

New to Level 1 & Europe

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

  • Level 1 - 10 Seasons (incl. 2017-23)

  • Level 2 - 24 Seasons

  • Level 3 - 55 Seasons

  • Level 4 - 7 Seasons

This year will be Brighton's first in European Competition.

Supporters You May Recognize

  • Mark Williams - Arthur Weasley

  • Fatboy Slim _ DJ

  • Celebrities local to the UK

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 buy 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

  • Roberto De Zerbi (Italy), 44yo.

  • De Zerbi took over for Potter in September 2022, his first experience in England, and he made the most of it making the QF of the FA Cup and earning Europa League for 2024.

  • After qualifying De Zerbi said “its more prestigious than winning the title with a top 6 club”.

ODDS

  • To Win League +5,000

  • To Be Relegated +5000

  • To Finish Top 4 +550

  • To Finish Top 10 -400

Roster Notes

Full Roster click link

Projected to finish 8th.

  • No Americans on the roster

  • Losing Alexis Mac Allister to Liverpool will hurt.

  • Lewis Dunk, Center Back, (England) - Captain and fan favorite. “From Withdean to Wembly. Blocking shots, scoring goals, Dunk is one of our own.”

  • The club needs to add quality players to be able to handle Europe competitions this year, and so far, they’ve added $40M in player salary than they have sold.

American Express Stadium

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