Albion legend Martin Perry will step down from board

The club’s executive director Martin Perry was part of the consortium which helped save the club from oblivion by buying it in 1997.

Since then he has worked with 15 managers and submitted 77 planning applications, including that of the 30,000 seater Amex stadium.

Albion chairman Tony Bloom said: “Martin’s status as a true legend of our club is assured.

"His skill, hard work and sheer determination to help save the club and ultimately deliver a new stadium, as well as a world class training and academy facility, for our club will forever be remembered by Albion fans, who supported and encouraged him every step of the way.

“It is entirely fitting that Martin will assume the new role of honorary vice president of the club in September 2020.

"With his diplomacy skills and political connections, Martin will continue to be a great ambassador for us.”

Mr Perry began his role as an acting director on April 26 1997, the last day at the Goldstone Ground, and this was made official on September 2.

In 1999 he became chief executive and held this role for 13 years.

With the club playing at a small athletics stadium in Withdean at the time, he was tasked with masterminding a move to a new stadium at Falmer.

But he rose to the challenge and, joined by an army of supporters, launched into a series of lengthy campaigns, a petition, and three public inquiries to secure planning permission in 2007.

The stadium was competed in 2011, coinciding with the club’s promotion to the Championship.

With Albion on the rise, Mr Perry focused on securing training facilities fit for a Premier League club.

In January 2012, he confirmed the club had requested planning permission for the site at New Monks Farm.

He led the team that designed and built the facility, which took just under two years to complete, opening in June 2014. The project was delivered on time and under budget.

Paul Barber, the club’s deputy chairman, said: “My job here over the past seven years or so has been made much easier because of the incredible foundations Martin laid, not just in terms of the club’s infrastructure, but also its unique culture and ethos.

“Supported of course by Tony and many others, Martin did the really hard work, and he deserves so much credit; quite simply, my job has been to ensure the club capitalised on the great opportunities that have come our way since.”

Mr Perry is also passionate about his work with the club’s charity, Albion in the Community.

As chairman of trustees he helped the charity grow from just two people to 60 full-time and 120 part-time staff members, working on programmes that reach up to 43,000 people.

His “immense” contribution to the city was recognised in 2013 when he won “Outstanding Brightonian” at the Brighton and Hove Business Awards.

In a statement, Albion thanked Mr Perry for all his work with the club and said: “Thanks Martin, we salute you.”

Mr Perry will step down in September 2020 and will use the next 12 months to gradually step back from his roles within the club.

He will then take on the role of honorary vice president and remain chairman of Albion in the Community.

He said: “To be appointed as an honorary vice president of this wonderful club is a huge honour and I relish the ambassadorial role that it will give me.

“I am so grateful to Tony Bloom and the club’s board for all of their support and trust in me over the years and inviting me to continue my involvement in this very special way.

“The last 22 years have been an absolute roller coaster ride but an amazing story, and I am so lucky to have been able to play a part, as together, we made history.

"I have loved every minute of it and look back with such wonderful memories.

“But none of this would have been possible without the support of the fans, and I am so grateful for their wonderful continuing support for the club and everything we have tried to achieve over the years.

"I wish the club, players, staff and fans continuing success, which they so richly deserve.”