A motion has been put forward by members of Brighton & Hove City Council for a purpose-built stadium for our women’s team within the city’s boundaries.
The motion will be put forward as a Notice of Motion to a meeting of the Full Council on Thursday 19 October.
Leader of the Council Bella Sankey said, “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.
“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.”
Managing director for Albion's women's and girls Zoe Johnson added, “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.
“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.
Women’s team captain Vicky Losada said, "I only joined Brighton & Hove Albion this summer, but the club and the city's commitment to growing and supporting women's football is something we should all be really proud. I was told that the club want to bring the team back to the city, and that would be amazing for me and my teammates to be back playing in the city we are so proud to represent."
Melissa Phillips added, “We get a brilliant welcome and wonderful support at Crawley, but we want to be back in Brighton. Football in Brighton is at an all-time high and so is the growth of the women’s game. We know we can bring that same sense of pride to the community that our men do. So, it is really encouraging to have the support of Brighton & Hove City Council in helping us to find a suitable location within the city to provide a permanent home for the team.”