BOARD MEMBERS FOR 2026/27
The Fan Advisory Board are thirteen elected fan representatives made up of men’s and women’s season ticket holders, 1901 Club and MyAlbion+ members.
The FAB is made up of 12 people with a variety of backgrounds and interests. Some have been Brighton fans since the day they were born and others have adopted the Seagulls in more recent times. Read on to find out about each individual on the FAB.
Chair & Board Member since 2023
Jonathan Poole
I have been an Albion supporter for 50 years, having attended my first match at the Goldstone Ground back in August 1974. I have many happy memories through good times and bad, my favourite game being the 1983 FA Cup semi-final when we beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Highbury.
Having grown up in Sussex, I now live in St Albans. My daughter is also an Albion fan and regularly attends matches with me, both home and away. Apart from my interest in football, I also enjoy long distance running and travel.
I have worked in the insurance industry since leaving university in 1989. I am sure that my business experience will help me during my tenure on the FAB.
I am really grateful for the opportunity to be an FAB member and I am committed to representing the club’s entire fan base in the best way possible.
Vice Chair & Board Member Since 2025
Daniel Clarke
I was born in Cornwall, and my local football club is Plymouth Argyle. As a child, I played county cricket but soon realised I wasn't as talented as I had believed. I trained to become a chef and discovered I had a knack for it! My culinary journey brought me to Sussex about 25 years ago. I've always been a fan of local football and quickly joined the "Seagull Army," as the Brighton & Hove Albion supporters are known. I haven’t looked back since. For the past eight years, I’ve been a member of the 1901 Club and thoroughly enjoy attending what my wife refers to as "posh football."
With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, I have developed a keen eye for detail and a commitment to excellent customer service. I am currently the CEO at Southend Barns near Chichester, where we deliver exceptional wedding experiences. I live in Bognor Regis with my wife, Sophie, who also works in hospitality, and our three-year-old daughter, Ottilie, who is already a little Seagull fan!
Board Member since 2024
Lucy Holford
Hi I'm Lucy and I'm excited to be part of the Fan Board. I have lived in Sussex for the all of my life and have followed Brighton casually since my family started taking me to the annual Christmas match. Although I froze most years the atmosphere was worth it.
However, my passion as a fan has really grown since I started following the women's team. I have been a season ticket for a couple of years now . At first, I attended as a bit of fun , but now, I find my whole week is organised around matches and rewatching the match from the week before.
I regard myself as a relatively new fan of Brighton and am enjoying learning the club's history and being a part of the fan community. I went to my first ever away match to Arsenal Women's last season and had a great time and met a lot of great fans. I've also been visiting other teams matches to understand how different teams are supporting their supporters. I'm hoping I can offer a different perspective to the board from my enthusiasm and experiences.
New Board Member 2026
Dean Gallagher
Being a resident of Hove all my life and an Albion fan for almost 55 years I have deep roots within the community and I would like to continue the work to build the bridge between the FAB and the matchday fans.
Board Member since 2025
Sally Freedman
I have supported Albion since I was two years young! My first job was working as a catering assistant at the Goldstone Ground in 1994. I spent many school sports days at Withdean and also as a BHAFC fan! Recently, I have followed the club’s incredible journey to the Premier League and European football. I have a strong understanding of the challenges and triumphs that define BHAFC.
Alongside being a passionate fan, I am an established football administration professional, having worked at UEFA, the AFC Asian Cup, Football Australia and Melbourne City FC. I have held senior roles in fan engagement, marketing and communications. In 2023, I became a published author with my memoir which shines a light on sexism and gender equality in football. In 2024, my book was nominated for Best Football Book of the Year in association with The Sunday Times.
Board Member Since 2024
James Cassidy
Since my first game at Reading away in 2013, the Albion has been a great constant in my life. From staying up late on a school night to watch the evening kick-offs in the championship - to now travelling countrywide to away games, the club has a very special place in my heart.
As I am currently at university, I have a great opportunity to visit more grounds and away fixtures - giving me great experiences and making many memories. Seeing Pedro’s winner against Marseille and topping the “group of death” remains my favourite Albion moment, something which was beyond my wildest dreams when I was younger. As a young fan, I am extremely proud to express my love for the club - wherever it is I may be.
Board Member since 2024
Emily Wadge
My name is Emily and I’ve been an Albion fan since around 3 hours old! The first call my dad made when I was born was to register me as a junior seagull (as it was called back in 1997!) and the rest is splendid history. He took me to my first game, at the Withdean, when I was six years old with my late Uncle Ken and cousin, Nick - a thrilling 1-1 draw against Ipswich to keep us in the football league and a pitch invasion… I was hooked.I’ve been a season ticket holder for more years and games than I can remember, sitting in West upper and now West lower with my mum, Diana, from the Withdean to the Amex. I’m a supporter who loves going to both home and away games and it was a pleasure to watch our brilliant club play in European football last season - some magical memories created and made even more special after watching us rise from our humble beginnings. For me, the Albion has always been about family; going with my personal relatives, the family it’s formed with other fans ensuring lifelong friends have been made and it’s unwavering presence within the community, which I’ve been lucky enough to have been involved with through Albion in the community.I’m an avid footballer myself and have played at a high level throughout my life. Likewise, I’m a qualified football coach and football is in my DNA. I’m an extremely proud teacher and have been for a number of years now and one who understands the importance of sport in education for young people. In addition, I’m someone who cares about ensuring all fans, despite background or circumstance, have equal opportunities to support our brilliant club.I’m so proud to be working in collaboration with our club and I can’t wait to see what the next chapters holds. I’ll be there, sunshine or rain, win, lose or draw, no matter what.
Board Member since 2025
Natasha Cherryman
I am a working mum of 3. Two of my children are huge Albion fans and Junior Seagulls. We attend the football as a family. We are big Albion fans and love the club's ethos. I believe my experiences as a female and a mother attending and following football will bring a different perspective. I have an experienced background within Safeguarding children and vulnerable persons within the community. I have a lot of experience of completing reviews and providing feedback and also of sitting on panels and committees through multi agency work. I hope to utilise these skills and my experiences to support Brighton & Hove Albion in continuing to be a family friendly community-based football club.
New Board Member for 2026
Phil Elcome
Having first visited the Goldstone at 14, I quickly developed a lifelong connection with the club. My 30 year time worrying only deepened my passion, regularly attending matches at Goldstone, Gillingham and Withdean. Today my commitment continues across generations, I now attend every home game and some away fixtures with my daughter and grandson sitting in West Upper. As a family BHA is part of who we are, even my granddaughter won the Rainbow Laces shirt design competition. I believe this lifelong support, combined with my hands on approach, would allow me to make a positive and meaningful contribution as a member of the FAB.
New Board Member 2026
Tiffany ( Yan Pui Tiffany Tsoi )
I’ve been part of the Brighton community for over 14 years, so this club genuinely feels like home to me. I care about both the city and the people in it, and I want to represent fans in a way that is honest, fair, and inclusive.
Through the Hong Kong Seagulls, I’ve built connections not just locally but also with East Asian supporters around the world. I understand both perspectives and can help bridge that gap, bringing in voices that might not always be heard while still respecting the club and the community’s values and identity.
I’m proactive, and used to organising and communicating with different groups. I aim to represent fans in a clear and balanced way.
A lot of international fans are new and may not yet be fully connected to the club’s values and traditions. If elected, I want to help bridge that gap: so new international fans feel more connected to the community and understand and respect those values, while the local community can also better understand and welcome them."
New Board Member 2026
Balbir Singh Gohler
"I combine long-term supporter passion with professional leadership experience and strong community engagement.
As a season ticket holder for 15 years, I understand the importance of protecting the identity, atmosphere and inclusivity that make Brighton & Hove Albion special. I want supporter voices to remain central as the club continues to grow.
Professionally, my leadership roles with my current employer have given me experience in communication, stakeholder engagement and delivering constructive outcomes within large organisations. I know how to listen carefully, challenge respectfully and work collaboratively.
Within the community, I serve as Chairperson of Sikhs of Sussex and founded SikhGULLs of Sussex to help broaden representation and create stronger connections between football and diverse communities across Sussex.
I would bring commitment, integrity and fresh perspectives to the FAB while acting as a constructive and approachable representative for all Albion supporters."
New Board Member 2026
Sharon Chapman
"I am Brighton born and bred and often visited the Goldstone Ground as a child and therefore I believe my roots are part of this club. I can bring a wide variety of experience from many fields of health & social care at various levels, which can only benefit my fellow fans opinions, thoughts and ideas to be heard within the club. I am a strong character, who isn't afraid to tackle difficult subjects and can put together a good argument for embracing change. I have experience of working on committees as a school governor, producing action plans and writing reports and having positive influence on great results. My success in my personal career as a nurse and healthcare professional is because I have worked as a team player, taking initiatives forward, effectively communicating those ideas in writing as well as verbally and following up on my actions. I have credibility in what I have done over the last 40 years as a nurse and healthcare professional improving services and ensuring the needs of the people using the service are met and that they are heard as individuals. Many of these people have learning disabilities, dementia and have been those that have not had a voice so I have advocated for them. I believe my openness, honesty, good leadership skills and the passion for my club make me a good candidate for the FAB role."