[Albion] Paul Barber

[Is it PotG?]

Just a shame he appears to hate football fans.

Yet he's been working tirelessly to improve the match day experience for many, many moons.

 

[Anger]

How dare I have a different opinion to you…

Ahem.. err.. it is actually err.. my understanding that the correct grammar would be “different from”.

Let’s re-cap.

Different from (not different to).
Compared with (not compared to).
Go boldly (not the “boldly go” split infinitive).
Romani ite domum (not Romanes eunt domus)

 

[Lady Whistledown]

The IP is from Sweden

So is the ABBA.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I've just received an email inviting me to join the 1901 club waiting list. Are they are a member or two short now or something for whatever reason?

Me too!

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

I've just received an email inviting me to join the 1901 club waiting list. Are they are a member or two short now or something for whatever reason?

Me too ... it's not for 'now' it's for 2026/27. I assume there's a number of 1901 5 year memberships coming up for renewal.

 

[Weststander]

Two or three emboldened CP trolls lately (funny that), one who posts very rarely over 20 years. In denial of course, Albion home and away, apparently .

The dead giveaways …. sh1t stirring and an obsession with the word “atmosphere”. We don’t have a drum.

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

No piss off I just put this into chat gpt and asked it to reply as if it were Paul Barber. AI is going to take over the world this is BANG ON!

Dear [Supporter’s Name],
Thank you for taking the time to share your views. While I appreciate and fully respect the passion that supporters bring to discussions about our football club, I would like to address some of the points raised to offer clarity and perspective on the decisions made by the club’s leadership.

Firstly, I would like to emphasise that supporters are, and always will be, at the heart of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club. Everything we do, from matchday planning to longer-term infrastructure investment, is designed to ensure the sustainability, success, and ongoing development of the club—both on and off the pitch.


The last few seasons have seen unprecedented success in the club’s modern era, with a record-high league finish, our first ever European campaign, significant investment in our men’s and women’s squads, and the continued development of one of the most advanced training facilities in the Premier League. These achievements are not accidental, and they are not solely financial—they are the result of a strategic approach that balances competitive ambition with fiscal responsibility.

On the issue of fan behaviour and stadium policies, it’s important to note that safety and compliance with national regulations are not optional. We must adhere to the standards set by governing bodies, including the Premier League and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority. Where action has been taken against individuals, it has only been following a thorough review of evidence, and in the interest of maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for the majority of fans—many of whom are families and young supporters.

Regarding safe standing, we continue to review the operational implications and fan feedback carefully. The current location at the back of the North Stand was chosen based on a combination of factors, including safety regulations, accessibility, and impact on adjacent seating areas. As with all such initiatives, we will continue to monitor and evolve based on data and supporter consultation.

On the subject of ticketing, I understand that recent changes—such as names being printed on away tickets—may not be universally popular. However, these measures have been introduced as part of a wider initiative to combat ticket touting and unauthorised resale, and to ensure that our loyal season ticket holders and members are the ones accessing our limited away allocations.

It is also important to point out that the idea of our stadium being “filled with tourists” is simply not borne out by the facts. The vast majority of seats at the Amex are held by season ticket holders, members, or match-by-match purchasers with longstanding records of support. Our fanbase is growing, our attendances remain among the best in the league, and the diversity of our support should be seen as a strength, not a weakness.

I recognise that we won’t always agree on every policy or decision, but I hope this reply demonstrates that decisions are not taken lightly, and that we continue to work tirelessly to ensure Brighton & Hove Albion remains a well-run, well-respected, and progressive football club, proud of its history and ambitious for its future.


Yours sincerely,
Paul Barber
Chief Executive & Deputy Chairman
Brighton & Hove Albion FC

 

[Happy Exile]

Two or three emboldened CP trolls lately (funny that), one who posts very rarely over 20 years. In denial of course, Albion home and away, apparently .

The dead giveaways …. sh1t stirring and an obsession with the word “atmosphere”. We don’t have a drum.

I think it’s also important to point out that they have goal music. Because there’s simply nothing that says “fantastic atmosphere” like needing to play the Vengaboys to try and get the crowd going when someone scores.

 

[jcdenton08]

No piss off I just put this into chat gpt and asked it to reply as if it were Paul Barber. AI is going to take over the world this is BANG ON!

The funny thing is, ChatGPT almost definitely was using NSC as its source.

 

[Diablo]

Seeing Barber tomorrow...9.30 am.



Hoping he doesn`t cut it to short.

 

[Zeberdi]

Me too!

hmm - I had an email from 1901 some weeks back saying I was on the waiting list but there were no more STs for the 1901 until 2026 but told the NS lounge would be ready before then.

Unless you are all NS STHs that are being contacted to flog you a ST in the new 1901 lounge in the NS - maybe the NS STHs will get first refusal before anyone else?

Btw did a google search for Stephen Thomas …

Homeless man pitches tent in bus stop

A HOMELESS man who pitched his tent in a bus shelter says he had “no choice” but to sleep there.

www.theargus.co.uk

 

[oldboyroy]

Thought it was 15th April today not the 1st.

 

[Triggaaar]

Barber needs to leave. All he cares about is the money and not the real supporters of the club. Fans banned for nothing, can’t celebrate at away games, names on away tickets, safe standing only at the back of the north stand and the atmosphere has never been this bad but he doesn’t care as long as the ground is filled with tourists not real fans.

I don't think anyone here has the power to fire Barber, so perhaps you should start a petition?

 

[AZ Gull]

hmm - I had an email from 1901 some weeks back saying I was on the waiting list but there were no more STs for the 1901 until 2026 but told the NS lounge would be ready before then.

Unless you are all NS STHs that are being contacted to flog you a ST in the new 1901 lounge in the NS - maybe the NS STHs will get first refusal before anyone else?

Btw did a google search for Stephen Thomas …

Homeless man pitches tent in bus stop

A HOMELESS man who pitched his tent in a bus shelter says he had “no choice” but to sleep there.

www.theargus.co.uk

I also got the 1901 e-mail .... I'm not a NS STH.

 

[Zeberdi]

I also got the 1901 e-mail .... I'm not a NS STH.

I’m already on the waiting list which is probably why I didn’t get the email to go on it then

 

[Winker]

My email about joining the 1901 waiting list didn't mention the availability of coat hooks, or lack of them, so it's a no from me.

 

[Terry Butcher Tribute Act]

Fifty quid to join a waiting list. What a football club we've become

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

No piss off I just put this into chat gpt and asked it to reply as if it were Paul Barber. AI is going to take over the world this is BANG ON!

A more sarcastic - and maybe more appropriate - ChatGPT response …

Oh no, you caught me — the secret’s out! All I care about is money, obviously. Forget the years of steady progress, infrastructure investment, a Premier League status most clubs would dream of — it was all just a cunning plan to fill the stadium with tourists wearing half-and-half scarves.

Fans banned for nothing? Of course. We just spin a giant wheel in the office to decide who’s next. Celebrations at away games? Outlawed for the sheer fun of it. And names on away tickets? That’s just part of our evil plot to… ensure tickets don’t end up with rival fans or touts. Diabolical, I know.

As for safe standing at the back of the North Stand — you’re right again. We put it there just to personally inconvenience you. Not because of regulations, logistics, or, you know, common sense.

The atmosphere? Yes, we purposely set out to kill it. We actually have a “No Singing” policy in the pipeline — just waiting for the right moment.

In all seriousness, I get the frustration — really, I do. But running a modern football club involves balancing passion, safety, regulations, and yes, sustainability. If you want to have a real conversation about that, I’m all ears.

But if sarcasm’s the tone — I can play that game too.

Paul Barber
Chief Villain & Alleged Tourist Recruiter
Brighton & Hove Albion FC

 

[PascalGroß Tips]

Fifty quid to join a waiting list. What a football club we've become

They did this when I joined the season ticket list in 2018 or 19. The amount was deducted from my season ticket price when I got one. It helped sort the wheat from the chaff I guess as it gave a more accurate indication of who was serious as opposed to loads joining the list with no real intention.

 

[Mustafa II]

I must admit, when Paul Barber joined the club, I did not like him at all.

I didn't like how we became customers rather than fans, how the community club we loved was turning into a brand name.

But in hindsight, these changes were absolutely necessary in order to remain competitive in the most popular league in the world.

We are now a global brand name in football and have the potential to remain competitive in this league for many years to come.... and that in many ways is down to Paul Barber.

I guess it's sad that we have lost the many things we used to enjoy about being a 'small club', the authenticity and the communities... but we have always dreamed of top division football again, and now we have it, and this is what it looks like.

Paul Barber has done an exceptional job here, and we are very lucky to have him.