Albion legend Bruno has paid a heartfelt farewell to the club, after a ten-year spell as player, captain and coach.
In a message posted on social media he wrote, “I’m heartbroken, probably like some of you. I have the same feeling as when I left home at 14; sure about my decision, but broken inside.
“What players, staff at the Amex, staff at the training ground, fans and the community have given me is unforgettable. Thank you.
“What these ten years have shown me is that football is more than ninety minutes. Of all the unimportant things, football is the most important.
“I’ve given my heart and soul for this club and I would like to think that I’ve helped to leave Brighton & Hove Albion in a better place than when I arrived.
“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are you will always be in my heart. Your amigo, Bruno.”
He has been a constant through all but one of the Amex years, and a major player in the club’s successes over that period, and last week was met with the dilemma which many of us face in our professional lives and make with ease.
Anyone doubting that sentiment wasn’t privy to a man fighting his emotions, struggling to speak and holding back the tears as he left the American Express Elite Performance Centre last Thursday just before lunchtime.
Emotions are raw at times like these, and understandably so, but be in no doubt, this is a man who’s given everything to our club, our community and our city for ten years. He deserves nothing but our respect.
So too Ben Roberts. The pair have given more than 20 years of their lives to the Albion and have been key in helping the club become what it is today.
Ben rejoined the club in 2015 as first team goalkeeper coach, having played for us between 2003 and 2005, enjoying promotion from League One to the Championship in 2004.
Ben worked under Chris Hughton prior to Potter’s appointment, playing a key role as Albion won promotion to the Premier League, working with, amongst others, David Stockdale, Maty Ryan, Jason Steele, Kjell Scherpen, Tom McGill and Robert Sanchez – with the latter often referring to Ben as a father figure as he has continued to establish himself as one of the most exciting goalkeeping talents in the league.
The former Middlesbrough and Charlton Athletic stopper’s influence at Albion wasn’t just players who have been our senior keepers: Carl Rushworth and James Beadle flourished under his guidance; while Christian Walton has gone onto be a regular in League One with Ipswich Town.
This summer marked a decade since Bruno’s arrival from Valencia. Speaking at the time of the anniversary, he said “I came for an experience, not just a football experience but a life experience.” It’s fair to say that his popularity as a player and a man was felt across the city, as he embraced a new culture and now has two children who he considers to be Brightonians.
The Catalonian captained the club to the Premier League, before hanging up his boots in 2019. That didn’t end his time here though, as Potter appointed Bruno to his coaching staff that summer.
Players. Coaches. Legends. And in Bruno’s case El Capitan. Thanks for the memories and best wishes for the future.