Show your support for the Albion ahead of cup final

We're asking residents and local businesses to show their support for Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend as the team take part in the Women’s FA Cup final.

The Seagulls face Manchester City in the showpiece event at 3pm on Sunday and thousands of Albion fans will descend on Wembley Stadium desperate to see the Seagulls lift the trophy.

Councillor Bella Sankey, the Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, will be among them and wants shops and businesses throughout the city to show their support ahead of the game by flying Albion flags or scarfs in their windows, or creating blue and white window displays.

Residents are also being encouraged to display their scarves or homemade good luck messages for the players in the windows of their home.

Club's fantastic commitment to women's sport

Councillor Sankey said: “This is a huge occasion, not just for Brighton & Hove Albion, but for the entire city.

“The Albion’s commitment to women’s sport is fantastic. We’ve seen that through its ongoing investment in the women’s game, the work being done by its foundation to encourage more girls to get active and the ambitious plans for a purpose-built women’s stadium.

“That commitment has been rewarded with a first Women’s FA Cup final appearance this weekend and I know the city will absolutely get behind the team.

“I hope as many fans as possible can make it to Wembley to support the team. 

“It would also be brilliant to see residents and local businesses help turn the city blue and white ahead of the game.”

Celebrating the Albion

Earlier this year we launched an ambitious campaign to make Brighton & Hove the UK capital for women and girls’ participation in sport.

Central to our Sport Lifts Her Higher campaign is attracting elite level women’s sport to the city – and celebrating the achievements of clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion in the hope of inspiring future generations.

Research shows girls across the UK are missing out on 1.4 hours of sport a week compared with boys – the equivalent of 52 football matches a year.

One in 3 girls also said boys had access to a wider range of sports.

However, more than half of girls surveyed said watching professional athletes inspired them to play, and two-thirds agreed that seeing diverse athletes showed sport was for everyone.

Inspiring more girls to play football

Councillor Sankey added: “We know that seeing players like Fran Kirby, Kiko Seike, Madison Haley and the rest of the Albion squad performing at the very highest level definitely inspires more girls to take up the sport.

“Occasions like this weekend are so important and to see the Albion competing in a major final is going to be an amazing experience.”