TONY Bloom has had a lifetime family association with Brighton & Hove Albion football club, and as chairman and majority shareholder has guided it to the position of one of the most financially healthy clubs in the premiership.

The team’s first two games of the new season saw them make a stumbling start, conceding a last-minute goal at home to Fulham in the opening fixture, and losing 2-0 away to Everton, in spite of having most of the possession and chances. Last season they finished just outside the top 10, and hopes were high that they would improve this time. On Wednesday they had a morale-boosting 6-0 win away in the Carabao Cup.