New gallery celebrates Albion's 125-year history

A gallery celebrating the 125-year history of Brighton & Hove Albion is set to open to the public on Saturday.

As a permanent and interactive exhibit of the club's journey, its curator, Jody East, said that fan voices and experiences were crucial in bringing it to life.

"To be able to open the doors and share it with the world is really exciting," she told the BBC.

The exhibition, hosted by Brighton & Hove Museums in the city, displays personal stories, memorabilia, objects and archive footage.

East said the gallery was a journey of two halves.

"It's a bit like Brighton & Hove Albion's journey. It's had a lot of ups and downs over the years," she said.

Part of the gallery shares experiences of supporter activism that saved the club in the mid-1990s.

Paul Mullen, operations director at Brighton & Hove Albion, said fans should expect "some really touching moments they can relate to".

"We have to recognise both the highs and lows," he continued.

The gallery's centrepiece is a specially commissioned stadium model which spotlights moments from the club's history.

These include Tony Bloom, majority owner and chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion, waving his scarf in excitement at being promoted and former striker Bobby Zamora scoring against Halifax in 2000.

It also shows fans litter picking at Withdean and Fatboy Slim wearing a Hawaiian shirt in the Withdean car park.

"It's important that it's not just about the stadium. It's the people who bring it alive," East said.

For former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Mark McGhee, the room brings back memories.

"People will be able to come here, younger people, and say, my grandparents told me about this and now I can see what they were talking about," he told the BBC.

Ian Hart has been a fan of the club for 53 years and a collection of his fanzines are on show.

He said he was eight years old when he first came to the Albion and likened seeing the gallery to visiting Gamley's toy shop with his parents on Christmas Eve.

"This is a thing of beauty. I really do commend Brighton Museum for the job they've done," he said.

For Hangleton and Knoll councillor John Hewitt, the gallery is a "great asset" to the city.

"The Albion is probably the greatest ambassador this city has known throughout the world and it's not only the city, but the club itself is very unique," he told the BBC.

"It brings a sense of civic pride that all our residents can get behind the club and support them as they progress on their journey."

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