Brighton & Hove Albion

Albion Fan Advisory Board

The Fan Advisory Board are ten elected fan representatives made up of men’s and women’s season ticket holders, 1901 Club and MyAlbion+ members.

Find out more about their work on their website here or in our FAQS.

You can contact the FAB at fanadvisoryboard@brightonandhovealbion.com.

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Charlie Benny

I’m Charlie, and an Albion fan since my parents brought me to Peterborough away, on the terrace in my baby seat at a few months old. I am so proud to have supported the club through far humbler times, and been part of the journey seeing the the Albion grow and mature in ways I never thought possible. I work in sports communications, media, and PR, and have been lucky enough in my relatively short career to support major Olympic and Paralympic sports, the FA, UK Sport, leading sporting charities and others in communicating with the right audiences in the right ways. I am delighted to be able to use that experience to advocate for the views of our brilliant fanbase, ensuring more transparency and collaboration with the club. My club has given me the most incredible memories, and as we look forward to our first-ever European campaign, the sky is the limit. It’s been an extended family for me my entire life – our Men’s and Women’s Teams, our academy, our disability teams, and wider community outreach are all excelling, and I can’t wait to see what the next chapters hold. I’ll be there no matter what.

Daniel Clarke

I was born in Cornwall, and my local football club is Plymouth Argyle. As a child, I played county cricket but soon realised I wasn't as talented as I had believed. I trained to become a chef and discovered I had a knack for it! My culinary journey brought me to Sussex about 25 years ago. I've always been a fan of local football and quickly joined the "Seagull Army," as the Brighton & Hove Albion supporters are known. I haven’t looked back since. For the past eight years, I’ve been a member of the 1901 Club and thoroughly enjoy attending what my wife refers to as "posh football."

With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, I have developed a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellent customer service. I am currently the CEO at Southend Barns near Chichester, where we deliver exceptional wedding experiences. I live in Bognor Regis with my wife, Sophie, who also works in hospitality, and our three-year-old daughter, Ottilie, who is already a little Seagull fan!

Emily Wadge

My name is Emily and I’ve been an Albion fan since around 3 hours old! The first call my dad made when I was born was to register me as a junior seagull (as it was called back in 1997!) and the rest is splendid history. He took me to my first game, at the Withdean, when I was six years old with my late Uncle Ken and cousin, Nick - a thrilling 1-1 draw against Ipswich to keep us in the football league and a pitch invasion… I was hooked.I’ve been a season ticket holder for more years and games than I can remember, sitting in West upper and now West lower with my mum, Diana, from the Withdean to the Amex. I’m a supporter who loves going to both home and away games and it was a pleasure to watch our brilliant club play in European football last season - some magical memories created and made even more special after watching us rise from our humble beginnings. For me, the Albion has always been about family; going with my personal relatives, the family it’s formed with other fans ensuring lifelong friends have been made and it’s unwavering presence within the community, which I’ve been lucky enough to have been involved with through Albion in the community.I’m an avid footballer myself and have played at a high level throughout my life. Likewise, I’m a qualified football coach and football is in my DNA. I’m an extremely proud teacher and have been for a number of years now and one who understands the importance of sport in education for young people. In addition, I’m someone who cares about ensuring all fans, despite background or circumstance, have equal opportunities to support our brilliant club.I’m so proud to be working in collaboration with our club and I can’t wait to see what the next chapters holds. I’ll be there, sunshine or rain, win, lose or draw, no matter what.

James Cassidy

Since my first game at Reading away in 2013, the Albion has been a great constant in my life. From staying up late on a school night to watch the evening kick-offs in the championship - to now travelling countrywide to away games, the club has a very special place in my heart.

As I am currently at university, I have a great opportunity to visit more grounds and away fixtures - giving me great experiences and making many memories. Seeing Pedro’s winner against Marseille and topping the “group of death” remains my favourite Albion moment, something which was beyond my wildest dreams when I was younger. As a young fan, I am extremely proud to express my love for the club - wherever it is I may be.

Jonathan Poole

Fan Advisory Board Members 13AUG24 PH 0011.JPG andy maclay

I have been an Albion supporter for 50 years, having attended my first match at the Goldstone Ground back in August 1974. I have many happy memories through good times and bad, my favourite game being the 1983 FA Cup semi-final when we beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Highbury.

Having grown up in Sussex, I now live in St Albans. My daughter is also an Albion fan and regularly attends matches with me, both home and away. Apart from my interest in football, I also enjoy long distance running and travel.

I have worked in the insurance industry since leaving university in 1989. I am sure that my business experience will help me during my tenure on the FAB.

I am really grateful for the opportunity to be an FAB member and I am committed to representing the club’s entire fan base in the best way possible.

Lucy Holford

Hi I'm Lucy and I'm excited to be part of the Fan Board. I have lived in Sussex for the all of my life and have followed Brighton casually since my family started taking me to the annual Christmas match. Although I froze most years the atmosphere was worth it.

However, my passion as a fan has really grown since I started following the women's team. I have been a season ticket for a couple of years now . At first, I attended as a bit of fun , but now, I find my whole week is organised around matches and rewatching the match from the week before.

I regard myself as a relatively new fan of Brighton and am enjoying learning the club's history and being a part of the fan community. I went to my first ever away match to Arsenal Women's last season and had a great time and met a lot of great fans. I've also been visiting other teams matches to understand how different teams are supporting their supporters. I'm hoping I can offer a different perspective to the board from my enthusiasm and experiences.

Mark Butler

I moved to Brighton 12 years ago from the Midlands and fell in love with this wonderful City and County.

I became a Brighton and Hove fan very quickly, also loving the Amex, the culture of the club, becoming a season ticket holder in the East Upper.

Many years ago I played semi-pro football, playing for Kidderminster Harriers and Stevenage Town, retiring due to cruciate ligament issues.

Three years ago, I began to suffer from balance issues and was diagnosed as having a gene disorder, causing me to need to use a powered wheelchair for travelling distances (such as the Bridge car park to the Amex).

I use this on trains, buses and planes, so have experienced the challenges having a disability can bring.

I joined the Seagulls DSA (Disabled Supporters Association) a few years ago, keen to help BHA FC and the fans evolve the thinking and facilities available for all, able bodied and disabled.

I also travelled to some of the wonderful European games, Ajax for example, thus experiencing all aspects of planning needs for travel to support my club.

Having been asked to now join the FAB Forum, I am excited to hear of and influence, where possible, the future direction for the fans of this great football club.

We live opposite Preston Park and I work in the technology market.

Mya Choudhury

Fan Advisory Board Members 13AUG24 PH 0006.JPG Mya

Having grown up in Hove I have always had a soft spot for the city of Brighton & Hove as it will always be home. Football gives me joy and so trips to the AMEX to watch the Albion play was always going to be the perfect combination.

I have had many memorable match days in recent seasons that I will always cherish. This club is special and as a member I cannot help but notice the level of care that goes in to providing a memorable match day experience by the club.

A running theme across my career in Financial Services has been to collaborate with people around the world, provide help and support to team members in need and always find a way to improve and better things around me. Joining the Fan Advisory Board, I look forward to applying the same principles as a member to collaborate with fellow Albion supporters.

Outside of work and football I enjoy travelling, painting and watching movies.

Natasha Cherryman

I am a working mum of 3. Two of my children are huge Albion fans and Junior Seagulls. We attend the football as a family. We are big Albion fans and love the club's ethos. I believe my experiences as a female and a mother attending and following football will bring a different prospective. I have an experienced background within Safeguarding children and vulnerable persons within the community. I have a lot of experience of completing reviews and providing feedback and also of sitting on panels and committees through multi agency work. I hope to utilise these skills and my experiences to support Brighton & Hove Albion in continuing to be a family friendly community-based football club.

Sally Freedman

I have supported Albion since I was two years young! My first job was working as a catering assistant at the Goldstone Ground in 1994. I spent many school sports days at Withdean and also as a BHAFC fan! Recently, I have followed the club’s incredible journey to the Premier League and European football. I have a strong understanding of the challenges and triumphs that define BHAFC.

Alongside being a passionate fan, I am an established football administration professional, having worked at UEFA, the AFC Asian Cup, Football Australia and Melbourne City FC. I have held senior roles in fan engagement, marketing and communications. In 2023, I became a published author with my memoir which shines a light on sexism and gender equality in football. In 2024, my book was nominated for Best Football Book of the Year in association with The Sunday Times.

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Meeting Minutes

June 2026 - Fan Advisory Board presentation

BHAFC x FAB Meeting Minutes

Disabled Fans' Forum - August 2026

Disabled Fans' Forum - August 2025

Board of Directors Presentation - May 2025

Community & Sustainability Working Group - October 2024

Disabled Fans' Forum - August 2024

Induction Day Summary - August 2024

Board of Directors Presentation - April 2024

Women's Super League - November 2023

Sustainability - October 2023

Travel Review - October 2023

Disabled Supporters Association - August 2023

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group - August 2023

Disabled Fans Forum - August 2023

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group - March 2023

Catering - February 2023

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group - September 2022