Tony Bloom Promises Exciting Future in 125th Anniversary Address
Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom told supporters in his matchday programme notes for the club’s 125th anniversary fixture against Arsenal at the Amex Stadium that the Seagulls’ most exciting chapter is still to come.
Bloom used his column to reflect on how far the club has travelled since he took charge, framing the anniversary as a springboard rather than a finishing line.
“One thing I have learned throughout my time at the club is that ambition never stands still,” he wrote. “Every target we achieve creates a new challenge.”
He added that Brighton’s progress should be measured by what comes next rather than what has already been achieved.
“Every milestone becomes the starting point for the next journey. That is exactly how it should be,” Bloom said.
The chairman pointed to the manner of Albion’s rise as proof the club can keep pushing forward.
“Through outstanding work on and off the pitch, top quality players, first-class coaching and an unwavering commitment to doing things our own way, we have earned our place in the Premier League,” he wrote.
Read our earlier comments on Albion’s future for more on his long-term vision.
Primary Source Attribution & Official 125th Anniversary Details
Albion’s history stretches back to their first competitive fixture on 21 September 1901, a landmark the club has highlighted throughout its anniversary celebrations. Bloom has led the club as chairman since 2009, overseeing its rise from the lower leagues to an established place in the Premier League.
Bloom, whose remarks were reported by The Argus, wrote that the club’s roots run through his own family history.
“This club is in my blood,” he said. “Some of my earliest and most cherished memories are wrapped up in the sights and sounds of the Goldstone. I can still remember sitting in the West Stand, completely captivated by the players on the pitch and the noise of the crowd around me.”
He described his grandfather Harry Bloom’s role at the club during one of its most significant periods.
“My grandfather, Harry Bloom, served as vice-chairman during the 1970s, an unforgettable era when the club reached the old First Division for the first time,” Bloom wrote.
He added that his grandfather passed down his love for the Albion, along with an understanding of what the club means to the people who support it.
Bloom also credited his uncle for keeping that family connection alive.
“My Uncle Ray continued that close family connection for many years and, when I had the privilege of becoming owner and chairman, it felt less like taking on a role and more like being entrusted with something precious to safeguard and help develop for the future,” he said.
Our analysis of the club’s model looks at how that stewardship has shaped Albion’s recruitment and growth.
Squad Milestones for Dunk and Verbruggen Against Arsenal
Brighton’s anniversary fixture carried extra significance on the pitch. The Amex hosted Premier League champions Arsenal in the match the club has designated as its official 125th anniversary celebration. Brighton didn’t disappoint either and got a massive result, winning 3-0 on the day.
Lewis Dunk made his 300th Premier League start for Brighton in the fixture, a landmark reached with the one club he has represented throughout his career. Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen reaches a milestone of his own, making his 100th Premier League appearance for the Seagulls.
Both landmarks underline the stability Bloom’s ownership has helped build at the club, with a homegrown defender in Dunk and a more recent addition in Verbruggen both central to Brighton’s side as they won an emphatic 3-0 against the champions on a landmark day.
Upcoming Fixture Timeline for Fabian Hurzeler’s Side
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler’s side faced Arsenal knowing the occasion carries weight beyond three points, with the club’s history and Bloom’s family story woven into the build-up. Supporters have previously heard Bloom’s calls for supporter backing at major fixtures, and the anniversary match against the champions is set to draw a similarly charged atmosphere at the Amex.
Bloom made clear that his ambitions extend well beyond marking the club’s history.
“While today is a day to celebrate our history, my focus remains firmly on the future,” he wrote. “The next chapter of Brighton and Hove Albion is arguably the most exciting yet and it is a chapter that embraces every part of our football club.”
He added that the club’s standing in the game is something Albion intend to protect and build on.
“Brighton and Hove Albion is now recognised and respected throughout world football and maintaining that position remains a central part of our ambition,” Bloom said.
