Brighton & Hove Albion

You have been sharing your stories and photos about why you love Brighton.

Here is a final selection of your submissions, but do make sure you scroll down this page to see all the best responses from throughout the week:

Graham: Imagine! The phone rang around six o'clock on 20 May 1983 while we were living in Holland. I was getting changed to take my wife out to celebrate our wedding anniversary and her birthday.

Knowing my passion for the Albion, my brother was calling to say that a friend had broken a leg and couldn't use his cup final ticket, would I like it?

My most understanding wife meant I was on the ferry that night surrounded by Manchester United supporters from nearly every country in Europe and made it to that most memorable game.

Oh to get that one step further!

Dommo: I started supporting my beloved Brighton back in 1970, having moved from London to Brighton (my father had a new job in Brighton).

My new best friend at my new school and his father took us to see Brighton v Rotherham at the Goldstone. The atmosphere and excitement was amazing!

From that game, I said to my father that I'm now a Brighton fan.

In 1983, I went to every round of the FA Cup, including the final and the replay. I was at Hereford in 1997, became a steward at Amex Stadium and am now a season ticket holder.

I absolutely love being a Fan.

Image source, Getty Images

During Wednesday's fans' forum, one supporter asked Brighton chief executive Paul Barber about how the club can improve the atmosphere at Amex.

The fan in question said the atmosphere is brilliant in matches against the big clubs, but at some games in the middle of the season, it becomes quieter.

"When this new south stand end is created for home fans, we are completely open-minded as to how we make the atmosphere really sing from the south to the north and back again," Barber replied.

"We will involve the fan advisory board on relocating singers. If people who want to sing can stand together in the safe standing area, that is brilliant. But we are not going to force the atmosphere because it is evolving over time.

"Sometimes the atmoshphere is amazing and sometimes it is not. I've been to pretty much every stadium in the UK and many overseas and it is the same. Some clubs are better than others and we are still evolving.

"Any ideas [the fans] have got, we are all ears."

Listen to the event on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Brighton player Warren Aspinall, speaking on BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast about the Seagulls' approach of having a focused pre-season training camp: "Once you travel to the other side of the world, the time difference is difficult and you lose two or three days there. It's probably more days off than working.

"They've had a bit of a bonding session in Spain - that's what you want, these new players getting embedded in and getting to know their new team-mates.

"They've done it right. I think they've had a good pre-season. Hurzeler's working very hard."

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, the i Paper's chief football writer Daniel Storey added: "Are they going to gain many more fans by going away to Asia or America? Because then you're competing against Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City, it's very difficult to suddenly turn someone to go buy that Brighton shirt and support that team.

"I'm almost certain it was Fabian Hurzeler's idea, and I think what they learned from last season is that you need to create a culture right for the manager that's there.

"It's made sense with a young coach who loves control to take the noise away. It's a young squad. They don't need the external noise of people caring about pre-season results."

Listen to the full episode of this week's Albion Unlimited on BBC Sounds

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Brighton.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Paul: An everlasting memory of the Albion was a midweek game in October 1976 v Walsall (Division Three) at the Goldstone.

I was 11, standing on a wooden crate behind the South Stand goal. The first half finished 0-0 and the Albion were struggling to get going. Then, the second half was incredible. The Albion kicked towards the South Stand, Peter Ward scored four goals and Ian Mellor scored three. A 7-0 win to the Albion!

I ran on to the pitch at the end as was the norm back then and got some autographs. Been living in Australia for 47 years - and still love the Albion.

Paul: One city, one club, so no divided loyalties here. We have come from near extinction to the top half of the Premier League but remain humble and realistic yet ambitious.

I recall the days of the Goldstone Ground [Brian Clough], [Alan] Mullery and the heroes who shone at Brighton but then waned at other clubs. We may not be big city 'glitzy' but we have the sea, cliffs and the green rolling downs.

We may not have won anything big but when we do, it'll be so fantastic and meaningful for a club like ours.

Sweet reward for all.

Send us your pictures and stories here

Ryan Adsett
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

When the transfer window opened, Paul Barber promised a "quieter one" in comparison with recent years.

And yet in terms of outgoings, they could be more than some fans would have wanted, given Pervis Estupinan, Joao Pedro and Simon Adingra were among the regular first-teamers to depart this summer.

The nature of Pedro's move to Chelsea for around £55m with £5m add-ons left a strange feeling for most fans, despite the falling out towards the end of the season. The Brazil striker contributed towards 40 goals in 70 appearances, a significant figure in helping the Seagulls through difficult moments. Replacing his impact will be key to winning games when they do not necessarily deserve it.

Estupinan has been replaced by the incoming Maxim de Cuyper. De Cuyper likes to drive the ball from deep and invert into space and who could be one to watch under Fabian Hurzeler's new system.

Utilising both full-backs going forward and for defending deep has become essential at the top level of global football. The latter attribute could be the potential downside in the Belgian's game.

Albion will want to ensure they do not get caught on transition too often this season. Losing runners like Estupinan and Pedro could cause issues given incoming defenders Olivier Boscagli and Diego Coppola are better suited to distributing forwards and last-ditch defending respectively.

At the other end of the pitch, Evan Ferguson's loan-to-buy move to Roma could come under scrutiny, but then Brighton have spent close to £60m on Charalampos Kostoulas and Stefanos Tzimas.

The Greek teenage duo are settling in, but the fees paid will always invite pressure to return goals. After all, Brighton had the most goalscorers in the league (18) last season.

All told, there remains an overwhelming feeling of optimism. Once again, the push for Europe is on.

Find more from Ryan Adsett at Talk Seagulls, external

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Danielle Sarver Coombs

When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.

In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.

And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.

"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.

"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.

"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.

"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.

"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."

A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.

But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.

"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.

"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."

As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?

"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.

"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.

"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."

Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.

And check out those from other Premier League teams over here

Image source, Getty Images

At the fan forum on Wednesday, one supporter kept his question simple: Why do Brighton always sell their best players?

Albion chief executive Paul Barber replied: "The reality is that pretty much every club in the world is a selling club at the right price - anyone that says any different doesn't really understand football.

"Our business model has always been that we will buy young players, hire the best coaching staff to develop them, give them the chance to play in the first team and negotiate the best possible deal when the time is right.

"We will build our club sustainably like that. We can't always rely on Tony [Bloom] to fill in the gaps and usually at a club, the only gaps are financial gaps. We have to build a club on its own two feet, that is less reliant on a single person to pay the bills.

"In order for a club of our size to do this, we need to have a healthy trading strategy and we have got one. The key is to make sure to never leave our coaching staff with a squad incapable of competing. That is what we try and do every year and I think we are getting the balance right.

"There are times where we want to keep a player for longer, but players also have demands and dreams for the future. The job that Tony, I and the technical staff have is to judge the right moment to sell, which is sometimes not that easy."

Listen back on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

During Brighton's pre-season fan forum on Wednesday, club chairman Paul Barber was asked about the rumours surrounding Carlos Baleba.

Manchester United are interested in the 21 year-old who has three years left on his contract at Amex Stadium.

"There's always going to be interest in our players." Barber said. "Manchester United have not been in touch with me. Speculation is speculation."

"Carlos is a fantastic talent. We hope he'll be here for years to come - but its subject to the dynamics of the football world, which isn't always predictable."

Listen back on BBC Sounds now

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United are on the lookout for someone who could strengthen their midfield and skipper Bruno Fernandes has called for new signings.

And they like Carlos Baleba.

The problem is Brighton's desire to sell, which is non-existent, and owner Tony Bloom's negotiating tactics. Hard line.

That is not to say United could not get Baleba - it is just that it would cost an enormous amount of money, probably in excess of anything United have spent so far this summer.

It is not obvious where the money would come from, because even if they can sign Benjamin Sesko without selling players first, eventually they will have to.

And it would take more than getting rid of the 'bomb squad' which even the club accepts is likely to be later in the window.

The key point is whether United look for an alternative or keep their powder dry for Baleba, either in case circumstances change dramatically in this window, or, more likely, for next summer.

Manchester United have contacted Brighton through intermediaries to explore a potential move for Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, 21. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Join us live from Amex Stadium at 19:00 BST on BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Sounds for a special Albion Fans' Forum.

Hear from head coach Fabian Hurzeler, chief executive Paul Barber and BBC Radio Sussex's Brighton commentator Johnny Cantor as they take questions from the audience and discuss the season ahead.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with Brighton.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Matt: The love affair began in November 1994, as I first stood in the North Stand for Reading at home. I remember we lost 1-0 when Nicky Rust was chipped in the far corner! The result was not important as I got swayed around in the stand and enjoyed the chants and that was it - the Albion for life. To this day, home and away, it is engrained into my life! Roll on Fulham.

Terry: My dad used to work at Clark's bakery across the road from the Goldstone. I was 10 when he took me to my first match in 1971 and we won. I was hooked and have followed the Albion ever since.

Best players ever have been Peter Ward, Mark Lawrenson and Brian Horton. They would still hold their own in today's team. Watched Teddy Maybank and Robert Codners' debuts but the less said about them, the better. More success to come!

Send us your pictures and stories here

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have confirmed the return of Bjorn Hamberg to the club as under-18s head coach.

The 40-year-old Swede previously served as a first-team coach under Graham Potter during his time at the Amex, before following Potter to Chelsea and later taking up an assistant head coach role at Dutch side Feyenoord.

Hamberg now rejoins the Seagulls in a key role within the academy set-up to help guide the next generation of talent through a crucial stage in their development.

Academy manager Ian Buckman said, "We are absolutely delighted to welcome Bjorn back to the club. He is a popular figure with players and staff who aligns with our vision and values for the development of our young players.

"Bjorn brings outstanding knowledge and experience having worked at Premier League and Champions League level, and he will undoubtedly impact our scholars through this key period of their development."