The timing of Tony Bloom's return to Australasia is purely coincidental, but it is probably just as well the Albion chairman is not attending today's FA cup tie at Brentford.
There would have been a frosty atmosphere in the Boardroom at Griffin Park.
The third round clash is not only Chris Hughton's first game in charge of the Seagulls.
It is also a grudge match involving two of the leading worldwide figures in the sports gambling industry.
Brentford owner Matthew Benham and Bloom used to be business colleagues until falling out.
Both have ploughed a chunk of the personal fortunes they have amassed into the clubs they love.
Star Lizard, Bloom's sports gambling consultancy based in high-tec offices behind smoked windows in Camden Town, has a formidable reputation.
Benham runs a rival company, Smartodds, based in Highgate, North London.
In league table terms, Bloom is currently playing catch-up. Brentford have surged past Albion following promotion last season.
They are in a play-off position in the Championship, 15 places and 17 points better off.
Benham has the upper hand for now but, with Albion's infrastructure and the arrival of Chris Hughton, the long-run odds are still in favour of Bloom's club reaching the Premier League.
Original article
There would have been a frosty atmosphere in the Boardroom at Griffin Park.
The third round clash is not only Chris Hughton's first game in charge of the Seagulls.
It is also a grudge match involving two of the leading worldwide figures in the sports gambling industry.
Brentford owner Matthew Benham and Bloom used to be business colleagues until falling out.
Both have ploughed a chunk of the personal fortunes they have amassed into the clubs they love.
Star Lizard, Bloom's sports gambling consultancy based in high-tec offices behind smoked windows in Camden Town, has a formidable reputation.
Benham runs a rival company, Smartodds, based in Highgate, North London.
In league table terms, Bloom is currently playing catch-up. Brentford have surged past Albion following promotion last season.
They are in a play-off position in the Championship, 15 places and 17 points better off.
Benham has the upper hand for now but, with Albion's infrastructure and the arrival of Chris Hughton, the long-run odds are still in favour of Bloom's club reaching the Premier League.
Original article