Albion's women's team could move back to Brighton

Brighton & Hove City Council want to bring Brighton & Hove Albion's women's team back to the city

Brighton & Hove Albion's women's team could soon be playing its home games back in the city.

The side currently share the Broadfield Stadium with Crawley Town, 20 miles away.

Brighton & Hove City Council has announced it is keen to find a site for a purpose-built home.

Council leader Bella Sankey said the move followed the England team's success at the World Cup, which has "inspired" more girls to play football.

Brighton & Hove Albion's men's side returned to the city in 2011 to play at the Amex Stadium, after several years ground sharing with other clubs, some not even in Sussex.

This season the club are playing in Europe, having finished sixth in the Premier League last season.

"Look at the success they've gone on to achieve," said Ms Sankey.

"We think that Brighton women deserve the same.

"We've been speaking with the club, (who) are very keen to deliver on this. We're going to see if we can identify options for where the stadium could possibly be.

"I absolutely believe where there's a will, there's a way."

Brighton & Hove Albion women currently play their home fixtures at Crawley Town's Broadfield Stadium.

Ms Sankey said the time was right for the move, after England reached the World Cup final in the summer, after winning the European Championships in 2022.

"The towering successes of the Lionesses have inspired girls and women right across this nation," she said.

"What I want to ensure is that women's football is given a level playing field so women and girls in our city have a team they an support, that they can go and see easily, that they can access and that they can get behind."

Managing director for Albion's women's and girls Zoe Johnson said: “We are desperate to get the team back to the city of Brighton & Hove and have been working hard to bring this to fruition.

"Having the support of the city council is a big step forward."

Women’s team captain Vicky Losada said it "would be amazing to be back playing in the city we are so proud to represent."