PUBLISHED
12:25 6th February 2014
by James Hilsum
The passion for football here is obvious"
Paul Barber
Paul Barber believes hosting the England women's team international at the Amex will help grow the sport across Sussex due to the city's appetite for football.The home of the Seagulls has been chosen to host a women’s World Cup Qualifier v Montenegro on the 5th April and Albion's chief executive says there is a real thirst for football on the south coast.Paul Barber
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He told seagulls.co.uk. ““We’ve been fortunate enough to have a couple of England games here already and I think we’ve attracted almost 40,000 fans to see the under-21 and under-19 matches. The passion for football here is obvious.
""We’ve been very encouraging for The FA to bring England internationals here. From our point of view, we want to help the women’s game grow and ensure the sport has a greater profile in the county.
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“The FA have recognised we’ve got a great stadium, a passion for the game and a great city council helping us to bring major events to the stadium.***
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“The whole community should feel a part of this football club and bringing games like a senior women’s World Cup Qualifier to the Amex will help us do that.
“It’s very important to us that we grow the women’s game in as many ways as we can, and being able to host a senior international is absolutely fantastic news."
Albion have their own women's team and centre of excellence
Barber also believes the match will be crucial in helping to inspire the next generation of young girls playing the sport.
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“Every level of football needs aspiration; if you’re a young player playing on a Sunday morning, you look to the first-team here and aspire to get to the highest level you can. It’s the same in women’s football.
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“The next step for young girls playing at grassroots level is to represent Brighton & Hove Albion; beyond that you want to play in the Super League and then international football. We want our girls to go to the highest level.”
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Tickets for Albion's next four home games available now online, at the Amex Ticket Office or via the telephone on 08443271901.
Original article