At the end of last week, Barber shared his views on the year gone by, the club’s expansion plans at both the stadium and training ground, and today he outlines the club’s aims for the future as they strive to achieve chairman Tony Bloom’s vision of becoming a top-ten club in the Premier League.
As most are thinking about New Year’s Resolutions, Barber explained the club’s short-term aims during the second half of the season.
“We want to take another step towards achieving the long-term vision of becoming a top-ten men’s club and a top four women’s club. That doesn’t mean finishing tenth or above this season is the target.
“We want to improve on last season; we want to progress if we can in the FA Cup after reaching the semi-final last year; we want to keep making sure this stadium is sold out and that people have a great time when they come here.
“If our men’s and women’s teams can improve on last year, playing the style of football that fans enjoy; while all of our academy teams continue to develop players, then it will be another season of progress.”
Looking longer term, Barber says Albion must continue to grow the club’s loyal fanbase, and says new blood and new fans are a vital component to the long-term success.
“We’ve got a core group of fans who have been with us during the different and often difficult eras of the club, but just as importantly, a new generation of fans who are growing with us during these Amex years.
“They are vital for the future. We need to bring through younger fans who see Brighton not just as their local club, but their only club.
“We have got in place a dedicated board and an owner who loves this club and has committed so much time and emotion as well as finance. And we’ve got great staff, many of whom have been here all the years the Amex has been open.
“We’re looking forward to the new decade with a lot of optimism, while acknowledging the challenges we all face on and off the field that we must overcome to help achieve our ambitions.”
Another important aspect of growing that fanbase is making the Amex a good place to watch football, in a safe and welcoming environment, and Barber has recently reaffirmed the club’s zero tolerance stance on any form of discrimination.
“It’s simple really — we will take every action we can to eradicate it from the Amex. We have to be tougher — life bans must mean that.
“It’s not football’s job to educate people - it’s our job to make sure the experience of coming to a stadium is as good as it can be and we will take strong action against people who do not want to behave.
“We need the courts and police to take strong action. There is no place for any kind of discrimination at football grounds where families and friends come to enjoy a day out.”
Finally Barber thanked Albion fans for their support throughout 2019, and added, “On behalf of myself, the board and the staff, I’d like to wish all our supporters here in Sussex, the UK and around the world a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.”