Brighton & Hove Albion has secured a motion for a purpose-built stadium to become the home of their Women’s Super League side.
Following a motion on Thursday (October 19 2023), Brighton & Hove City Council approved the club’s request for purpose-built stadium, helping to the bring the women’s side back to the seaside.
Up until now, the women had been playing out of Crawley which is 20 miles (32 km) away.
The motion saw the support of both council leaders and club officials alike.
Albion’s Managing Director of Women and Girls, Zoe Johnson, led the club’s push.
“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, and I should thank Bella Sankey,” she said via press release.
“It is so encouraging for us to have a council leader who sees the power of sport and just how important that is for everyone – women and men – and Bella has been so supportive in our aims to bring the team home.
“Our women’s team currently play their home matches at Crawley Town’s Broadfield Stadium, and while the club gets a warm welcome there and Crawley are great hosts, the commitment of the club’s board is to bring the team back to the city.”
Leader of the Council Bella Sankey – a keen supporter of women’s football, then expressed the historic importance of helping to bring the women’s side home.
“The phenomenal rise of women’s football at a local and national level deserves recognition. It also requires practical support to ensure the women’s game continues to grow,” Cr Sankey added via press release.
“It’s been over 100 years since the Football Association introduced a ban on the women’s game being played at the professional grounds and pitches of clubs affiliated to the FA. Despite this ban being lifted in the 1970s, we are still a long way from women’s football reaching parity.
“Look how the Albion men’s team has roared to success once we got the Falmer stadium built. It’s about time we brought the Albion women’s team home to our city too. Our motion to Full Council demonstrates our full commitment to working with the club to deliver this for the Brighton & Hove Albion women’s team and all the fans.”
The proposer of the motion – Labour Councillor John Hewitt – expressed in the council meeting on the matter the economic benefit such an investment will have.
“It is vital that the team relocates to the city so that the infrastructure is in place so that they can thrive,” stated Cr Hewitt at the motion’s proposal.
“A purpose-built stadium for our team will allow attendance to improve, encourage participation and will enable the team to follow on in the footsteps of the men’s side.”
When making their assessment, the councillors were directed to an independent study made during the 2022/23 campaign that found the club had contributed over $1 billion (AUD) to the local economy during that season.
Having secured council support, the club will now make enquiries to suitable locations.
This is a rare opportunity and is deeply reflective of the cultural climate and excitement that surrounds women’s football globally. By supporting this motion, the Brighton & Hove City Council is leading the way in helping to support and grow women’s football.
Not only will this boost the local economy – something that the club has helped to do it in the past – but it is also sure to be a great sign for aspiring female footballers that the game is here to stay.
