Brighton Soccer: 10 Essential Tips Every New Fan Needs to Know
2025-11-12 10:00
As a longtime football analyst and Brighton & Hove Albion supporter, I've witnessed countless newcomers struggle to grasp what makes our club special. When I see Dindin Santiago-Manabat's recent 16-point volleyball performance with eight digs—stepping into Tolentino's starting spot—it reminds me how every team needs players who can seize opportunities when they arise. That's precisely what Brighton has mastered in recent years, transforming from perennial underdogs to Premier League mainstays through strategic vision and player development. If you're new to the Seagulls, understanding this philosophy is your first essential lesson.
The club's recruitment strategy deserves particular attention because it's arguably the smartest in English football. While big clubs spend fortunes on established stars, Brighton's scouts identify undervalued talents who fit a specific playing philosophy. Look at Moisés Caicedo—purchased for around £4.5 million from Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle and now valued at over £80 million. That's not luck; that's systematic genius. The data analytics department uses sophisticated metrics beyond typical stats, assessing how players will adapt to Brighton's possession-based system before they ever set foot on the Amex Stadium pitch. This approach means we often see players evolve from unknowns to superstars right before our eyes, creating incredible emotional connections with supporters who've witnessed their entire journey.
Our style of play under manager Roberto De Zerbi represents footballing evolution in real time. The statistics show we average around 62% possession per match, consistently among the highest in the Premier League, but it's not possession for possession's sake. There's purpose to every pass, every movement. Watching Brighton build from the back with such composure—even under intense pressing from opponents like Liverpool or Manchester City—is like observing a masterclass in spatial awareness. We take calculated risks that sometimes lead to embarrassing moments (remember that 4-0 defeat to Luton last season?), but more often create breathtaking goals. The philosophy reminds me of Santiago-Manabat stepping into a starting role after not being first choice—it's about readiness meeting opportunity through preparation.
The Albion's history provides crucial context for appreciating our current success. Founded in 1901, we spent most of our existence in lower divisions, nearly going out of existence entirely in the 1990s when we lost our stadium and almost dropped out of the Football League. Those dark days make our current Premier League stability and European qualification sweeter. Older fans still get emotional about the Withdean Stadium era—our 12 years playing in a converted athletics track with temporary stands. That period forged the club's resilient identity, something that separates true supporters from casual observers. Understanding this history helps explain why we celebrate seemingly ordinary victories with extraordinary passion.
Financially, Brighton operates with remarkable intelligence compared to many Premier League clubs. Our wage structure remains disciplined—estimated at around £85 million annually compared to Manchester United's £384 million—yet we consistently outperform expectations. The club's ownership, led by Tony Bloom, has created a sustainable model that doesn't rely on billionaire benefactors writing blank checks. Bloom's background as a professional gambler might make traditionalists nervous, but his statistical approach to risk assessment has revolutionized how we operate. The £135 million training facility in Lancing stands as physical proof of this forward-thinking investment, developing both first-team players and academy prospects with equal importance.
The fan culture at Brighton differs significantly from many Premier League clubs, and understanding this will enhance your matchday experience. Unlike historically working-class clubs where football sometimes feels like religion, our support comes from diverse backgrounds—students, artists, families, and the LGBTQ+ community that finds Brighton particularly welcoming. The atmosphere at the Amex reflects this diversity—passionate but inclusive, critical but rarely toxic. You'll hear traditional chants alongside spontaneous eruptions of "Sussex by the Sea," our unofficial anthem that always raises hairs on arms. The pre-match migration from Brighton station to the stadium—the "Walk of Pride"—creates a communal experience that binds us together regardless of result.
Looking forward, the challenges facing our club require nuanced understanding. Losing key players like Alexis Mac Allister and Caicedo for combined fees exceeding £170 million demonstrates our position as a selling club, but this isn't necessarily negative. This model fuels our continued growth, funding the next generation of talent. The real test will be maintaining our identity while competing in Europe and against financially doped rivals. Personally, I believe our structure makes us better equipped for long-term success than clubs who rely on sugar daddy ownership. The potential stadium expansion to 42,000 seats signals ambitious but measured growth—the Brighton way.
Ultimately, supporting Brighton means embracing a specific footballing philosophy beyond just results. It's about valuing process over outcome, development over instant gratification, and collective identity over individual stardom. Much like Santiago-Manabat delivering a vintage performance when her team needed it most, Brighton consistently produces players who rise to occasions through systematic preparation rather than flashy purchases. This approach has taken us from near-extinction to European competition within a generation—a journey that makes every victory taste sweeter. Welcome to the Albion family; you're supporting something genuinely special in modern football.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
