At a glance
- Brighton remain in the hunt for European football and a possible Champions League place
- Hearts and Union Saint-Gilloise are battling for league titles in Scotland and Belgium
- Melbourne Victory reached the A-League play-offs before their season ended
Tony Bloom could be heading towards the most remarkable month of his career in football ownership with clubs across England, Belgium and Scotland all in contention for landmark achievements as the season reaches its climax.
From the Premier League race for Europe to title battles in Belgium and Scotland, Bloom’s growing football empire is thriving at exactly the right moment. Even in Australia there was late season excitement as Melbourne Victory pushed for silverware before their campaign came to an end in the A-League play-offs.
Last weekend began in frustrating fashion for Bloom after defeats for both Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise. Melbourne Victory then saw their title ambitions extinguished by Sydney FC in the elimination round. By Monday night however the mood had shifted dramatically when Hearts produced a stirring 2-1 comeback victory over Rangers to keep their championship dream alive.
Results elsewhere also favoured Brighton after Nottingham Forest defeated Chelsea and handed the Seagulls a valuable boost in the chase for European qualification.
Brighton Closing in on Another European Adventure
European football remains firmly within Brighton’s grasp and the equation is refreshingly straightforward. Fabian Hurzeler’s side sit eighth in the Premier League and three wins from their final fixtures would leave qualification entirely in their own hands.
There is even an outside possibility of Champions League football for the first time in the club’s history depending on results elsewhere. At the very least the Seagulls are well placed to secure another season on the continental stage and continue their rapid rise under Bloom’s ownership.
Read More: “A Clear Plan” – Tony Bloom Fuels Hearts Dream as Scottish Football Faces a Power Shift
Brighton Women Showing Genuine Progress
While league position alone may not fully capture it, Brighton Women have taken meaningful strides forward this season.
After finishing fifth with 28 points last year they currently sit sixth with 26 points and one match remaining. Yet performances tell a far more encouraging story than the table suggests.
Under Dario Vidosic the side have developed into genuine competitors against the elite of the Women’s Super League. Statistical indicators back that up too with expected points rising sharply from 21 last season to 31 this campaign.
There have been statement results along the way. Brighton knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup, defeated Manchester City and earned league draws against both Arsenal and Chelsea. Crucially these performances were not smash-and-grab results built on fortune. Brighton matched the division’s biggest sides on merit and increasingly look capable of belonging in that company.
Brighton Women Heading to Wembley
Albion Women’s impressive season has now reached historic territory after Dario Vidosic’s side booked their place in the first FA Cup final in the club’s history.
The Seagulls produced a thrilling comeback to defeat Liverpool 3-2 in the semi-final after trailing 2-0 early on. Goals from Manuela Vanegas and Madison Haley hauled Brighton level before substitute Nadine Noordam struck a dramatic 95th minute winner to send the club to Wembley.
It was another statement performance from a side that has rapidly developed into genuine contenders against the elite of the Women’s Super League. Brighton have already defeated Arsenal and Manchester City in recent months while also taking points from Chelsea and Arsenal in league action.
Under Vidosic the team have evolved from dangerous outsiders into consistent competitors capable of matching the division’s biggest clubs on merit rather than moments of fortune.
Brighton will now face either Chelsea or Manchester City at Wembley on May 31 knowing they are one victory away from delivering the first major trophy in the club’s history.
Also Read: Bloom Hails New Brighton Women’s Stadium as a Defining Statement of Intent
Tony Bloom Could Win Three Major Titles
The most eye-catching story of all may be unfolding in Scotland and Belgium where two of Bloom’s clubs are locked in dramatic title races.
Hearts remain firmly in contention for the Scottish Premiership crown after their comeback win over Rangers moved them three points clear of Celtic with three matches left. The final day showdown at Celtic Park could yet decide the destination of the trophy.
Should Hearts complete the job it would rank among the greatest shocks in modern Scottish football. No club outside the Old Firm has lifted the title since Aberdeen in 1985 while Hearts themselves have not been crowned champions since 1960.
Union Saint-Gilloise are also chasing back-to-back Belgian titles. Bloom and business partner Alex Muzio transformed the club after taking over in 2018 when Union were struggling in the second tier.
Now they are among Belgium’s elite despite operating on a budget well below rivals Club Brugge. Attendances have surged and plans are progressing for a new 16,000-seat stadium valued at around £70 million.
The defending champions suffered a painful setback last weekend after Kevin Mac Allister was sent off early in a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Sint-Truiden. A stoppage-time penalty condemned Union to defeat and left them trailing Club Brugge by half a point with four games remaining.
A potentially decisive meeting between the two sides on May 17 could define the Belgian title race.
Melbourne Victory Fall Just Short
Further afield Bloom’s investment in Melbourne Victory continues to show signs of progress despite a disappointing end to the campaign.
Victory finished fourth in the A-League which marked an improvement on the previous season and underlined the impact of Bloom’s involvement since purchasing a 19 percent stake in 2025.
Their play-off run ended with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Sydney FC meaning there will be no Australian title celebration this year. Even so the club’s upward trajectory remains clear.
For Bloom though there may still be plenty of celebrations ahead before May is over.
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