Tony Bloom's final programme notes of the 2024/25 campaign

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The chairman reflects on the 2024/25 campaign.

2025-05-27T06:00+01:00

Tony Bloom MBE. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

These programme notes were written by chairman Tony Bloom MBE for the final programme of the 2024/25 season - our 3-2 win over Liverpool at the Amex.

I’d like to begin by congratulating tonight’s opponents Liverpool on deservedly winning the Premier League title – the 20th time they have been league champions – a magnificent achievement, even more impressive being Arne Slot’s first season in the Premier League.

For Brighton & Hove Albion, it has been another memorable season. With two games still to be played we could still achieve European football for the second time in three years; and the win at Wolves nine days ago has put us in a great position to achieve a top-ten finish for only the third time in our history.

This season we welcomed Fabian Hurzeler to the club, and he has shown that he is a head coach with exciting ideas, a strong work ethic and tactical excellence.

Under his management we have enjoyed some superb results including impressive wins over Manchester City, Newcastle United (twice) and Chelsea (twice) – all clubs vying for Champions League football – as well as doing the double over Manchester United, with Fabian becoming the first Brighton manager to achieve this.

The Premier League is physically and mentally very demanding and we have suffered more than any others with injuries.

For several of our players, this season has been their first time playing in the Premier League, but I believe they – and indeed the whole squad – will be better for the experiences of our latest campaign. We can certainly look forward to the future with much optimism.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Fabian, all his staff and our players for their tremendous efforts this season. I’m sure that, after a well-deserved break, they will return re-energised and looking forward to building on this season’s successes.

Our women’s team made history with their highest WSL finish of fifth – a notable achievement for Dario Vidosic in his first season as our head coach. Some of the football they played and the results they enjoyed were outstanding and another significant landmark was reached when we had four players in the England squad in April. Dario shares our ambition for the team and next season will be targeting the top four. Again, my thanks to Dario, his staff and our players for all their hard work deservedly resulting in our historic finishing position.

The Terrace. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Off the pitch, the opening of our new fan zone The Terrace was another milestone in our history, and it’s been great to see so many of our supporters enjoying themselves there since it opened at the end of March. We have other improvements in the pipeline for the stadium, not least the bigger and better super store which will be open ahead of next season, and other long-term plans, which will make everyone’s matchday experience even better.

Since our last home game, we enjoyed our end of season awards, and I would like to congratulate Men’s Player of the Season Jan Paul Van Hecke and Women’s Player of the Season Fran Kirby and all the other award winners. In particular, I was delighted to honour my predecessor and Life President, Dick Knight, by presenting him with our very first ‘outstanding contribution’ award. We would not have a professional club to support, let alone one in the top half of the Premier League, if it was not for Dick’s tenacity, determination and leadership. Going forward, this award will be known as The Dick Knight Award for Outstanding Contribution to Brighton & Hove Albion. Dick is a hugely deserving inaugural winner of such a prestigious award, and it was wonderful to see the reception given to him on the night.

Tony Bloom congratulates Dick Knight at the Players' Awards 2025. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

Finally, I would like to thank our chief executive Paul Barber and his executive team, together with all our staff, for the part they have played in making this season an exciting and successful one. There is so much to be positive about in the future for everyone associated with our club, not least our magnificent supporters who continue to back the team so passionately week after week, home and away.

Enjoy a great summer, and I look forward to seeing you all again in August.