Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton Boy: Ever since I first laid eyes on Kaoru Mitoma swiftly weaving in and out of helpless defenders, I loved Brighton. My first live game was against Everton in 2022. We were fighting for Europe that season, but we lost by a harsh score - 5-1. Although I had witnessed a great loss, I came out of Amex Stadium with a new spark of love for the team. I'd been watching the Albion for a bit, but that moment was when I knew…..Albion was the team for me.

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Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

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'Why did you fall in love with your club?'

This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers.

Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter.

The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team.

But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do?

"A lot of it comes down to our identity," researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport.

"We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship.

"In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger."

Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link.

Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen.

"The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it," Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition.

"It's handed down from generation to generation."

The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating.

An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'.

"With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming," Sarver Coombs added.

"Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part.

"But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement."

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On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, the panel discuss Brighton's footballing model.

The Seagulls have kept their friendlies low key this summer and The i Paper's Daniel Story thinks that was Fabian Hurzeler's idea.

Storey said: "I sat down [at Brighton] behind the scenes last season and you find yourself agreeing with them even if you go in with a cynical eye or looking for a weakness - you come out trusting in them."

Listen to the full episode of BBC Sounds

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Brighton and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Alan: Started when I was seven at the old Goldstone Ground. My dad took me there. I remember players like Flash Gordon, Des Tennant, Glen Wilson, Jimmy Langley and Jimmy Leadbetter. I am now 86 and still support the club through thick and thin.

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Yankuba Minteh found the net twice but Brighton conceded a two-goal lead to draw with Southampton in their latest pre-season friendly.

Earlier on Saturday, the Seagulls played the Saints in a 60-minute match behind closed doors, earning a 1-0 win.

But the full encounter saw Minteh score either side of the break, only for Jay Robinson and an Adam Armstrong penalty to pull Saints back to parity.

Brighton have now won four and drawn one of their summer fixtures, beating Coventry and UD Las Palmas 2-0, Stoke 3-1 and Wycombe Wanderers 6-1.

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Brighton have secured the signing of teenage midfielder Kofi Shaw from Bristol Rovers.

The 18-year-old, who started his career at West Bromwich Albion before joining Bristol Rovers in 2023, will move the Seagulls' under-21 side under Shannon Ruth.

Ruth said: "We're really pleased Kofi is joining us. He's an exciting talent who already has good experience of men's football after breaking into the Bristol Rovers team in the second half of last season. He has lots of potential and we're looking forward to working with him and helping his development."

During a loan spell with Yeovil last season, Shaw scored twice for the club and became the second youngest scorer in Yeovil's history.

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Brighton midfielder James Milner says he will wear the number 20 shirt for the 2025-26 season as a "mark of respect" to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month.

Milner played alongside Jota for three seasons between 2020 and 2023 before leaving Anfield to join Brighton. The 39-year-old also travelled to Portugal for the funeral of Jota and his brother Andre Silva at the start of July.

Liverpool have retired the number 20 shirt worn by Jota in his five seasons at the club but Milner has opted to take the vacant shirt number at Brighton, after team-mate Carlos Baleba decided to switch numbers for the upcoming season.

Speaking to MyAlbion TV, external about his decision, Milner said: "Once I heard Carlos [Baleba] was looking to change his number and 20 was available, I wanted to do it as a mark of respect and to obviously pay tribute to Diogo Jota.

"He was an amazing player, who I was fortunate to play with, and he was a great friend as well.

"It will be a great honour to wear his number in the Premier League this year."

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Juventus have joined Atalanta, Napoli and Roma in showing an interest in Brighton's 24-year-old Denmark international midfielder Matt O'Riley. (Sky Sports Italia), external

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

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Image source, Matt

On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with Brighton and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Matt:

"The photo is the oldest ticket I have, but not my first game. I remember my dad taking me to a night game in around 1986-87 season when I was eight or nine. The fog had rolled in, and the game would have been called nowadays as we could barely see past the 18-yard box from the South Stand.

"As the ball was hoofed forward into the mist, the stand would fall silent as, blind to the action at the other end, we would patiently wait for 'ooohs', groans and eventually a cheer from the North Stand.

"I don't remember the score, just the ridiculous evening of anticipation, comradely and celebration. I was hooked."

Join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love the Seagulls.

Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?

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Norwich City are considering a move for Brighton forward Abdallah Sima, 24, to join up with Senegal team-mate Papa Amadou Diallo, who signed for the side on Thursday. (Pink Un - subscription required, external)

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

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There is something unique about a football fan's love for their club.

As once said by the great Arrigo Sacchi: "Football is the most important of the least important things in life".

Tears of joy - and heartbreak. Friendships forged. Memories that last a lifetime.

Sometimes it is there from the beginning, sometimes a moment is what starts it all or takes it to another level.

Wherever it comes from, the love for a club is often there for life.

As a new season edges closer, we want to know why you love Brighton.

When was the moment it all began?

What is your most special memory?

Your first home game? Earliest shirt? A seminal away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories

Ecuador winger Jeremy Sarmiento, 23, is ready to leave Brighton this summer and attracting interest from South America, but wants to remain in Europe. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Toulouse have opened talks with Brighton over 19-year-old Malian midfielder Malick Yalcouye. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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

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Brighton defender Adam Webster is set to "miss a large part of the season" and will undergo knee surgery, boss Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed.

The 30-year-old picked up the knee ligament injury during the Seagulls' pre-season training camp in Marbella.

Webster posted on his social media, external on Sunday about the injury and said he was "devastated" but "determined to come back stronger".

He made 14 appearances across all competitions last campaign after struggling with hamstring and thigh issues during the season.

"Adam suffered a knee ligament injury during training last week, and he will undergo surgery in the coming weeks," Hurzeler told club media.

"Unfortunately, it was a case of very bad luck. It's a blow to Adam, after he'd come back in great shape for the new season.

"It's also a blow for us, as he has been an important player for us; he is a big character and a leader within the squad.

"We'll work with him over the months ahead to make sure he gets the best possible care and rehabilitation to get him back to full fitness as quickly as possible.

"It's too early to put a timescale on his recovery period, but it's fair to say he will miss a large part of the season."

The German was speaking after the side's behind-closed-doors friendly against Coventry on Saturday, where they won 2-0 to keep up their 100% record in pre-season so far.

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Goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen has completed a move to Belgian Pro League side Union Saint-Gilloise.

The 25-year-old, who signed from Ajax in July 2021, made just one senior appearance for the Seagulls before loan spells with Oostende and Vitesse Arnhem.

He spent last season at Sturm Graz, where he made 36 appearances in the Austrian Bundesliga and Champions League.

Brighton's technical director David Weir said: "Kjell is at the stage of his career where he wants a permanent move, and this is a great opportunity for him at a club who won the Belgian League last season.

"We thank him for his services and wish him all the best for the future."

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has said Pervis Estupinan's move to AC Milan in a deal worth £17m is the chance for a "fresh challenge".

The 27-year-old defender joined the Seagulls in July 2022, making 104 appearances and scoring five goals.

"I have enjoyed working with Pervis and he has made a significant contribution to the club during his time here," said Hurzeler.

"He is at the stage of his career when he wants a fresh challenge and this opportunity to play in Serie A gives him that.

"I'd like to thank Pervis for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future."

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Speaking on the latest episode of the Albion Unlimited podcast, BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor and former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall discuss Matt O'Riley's future.

The midfielder, who has been the subject of transfer speculation this summer, scored and assisted in Brighton's 2-0 friendly win over Las Palmas.

Cantor said: "I would quite like to see him stay. I don't know whether there's room for him in the squad. I think he provides something a little bit different to some of the other players."

Aspinall added: "I think we should keep him, I think he's very good.

"He's got great vision. In that final third, he can open a team up. We saw it last season and the season before when he was playing for Celtic in big games.

"He's a very talented player, very good with his feet and he scores goals. He can make goals as well.

"He's a very good talent and I think £25m - if that's the going rate they're asking for - would be a bit cheap.

"I'd be willing to sell the likes of Facundo Buonanotte before him."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Borussia Dortmund are interested in Brighton winger Facundo Buonanotte, who has three years left on his Albion contract after spending last season on loan at Leicester City. (Sky Sports), external

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

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