ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Brighton & Hove Albion have become the envy of football clubs across the country following an £80 million injection from internet gambling entrepreneur Tony Bloom.
Dividing his time between Sussex and Melbourne, the club’s new chairman marks a third generation to have a member on the board.
His uncle, Ray, is a club director and Harry, his grandfather, was vice-chairman when the club reached the old first division in 1979.
Almost all of the funds from the high stakes poker player will be absorbed by the club’s new Falmer Stadium.
Bloom, 39, made his fortune selling online gambling firm Premierbet in 2002, property and finance. He has reportedly placed a bet on Brighton becoming a Premier League club in the next five to 10 years.
“I am determined to see us back in the Championship as soon as possible,” Bloom said. “I want to fulfil the dreams of so many of our great fans just as my grandfather Harry Bloom did in the glory days of the 1970s.”