'We've waited for a new stadium for a long time'

Fans including Lola Farnworth have welcomed Brighton & Hove Albion's women's stadium announcement [George Carden/BBC] Fans in Brighton and Hove have welcomed Albion's announcement that the club is to build the first purpose-built women's football stadium in Europe. Announcing the £80m project, Brighton & Hove Albion FC says it will provide a permanent home and identity for the women's team, in an attempt to drive long-term fan growth. The at-least 10,000 seater stadium will be built next to the Amex Stadium in Falmer and will be connected to the men's stadium by a bridge walkway.

"It's so exciting, I've grown up in Brighton as an Albion fan. I'm really excited to go to a proper purpose built stadium, it can bring more attention to [women's football] as a whole," said Lola Farnworth. "I think other clubs should follow in their footsteps.

"I'm an Everton fan and they've given them access to Goodison but I think a purpose built stadium is what will help the game grow", said Alex Lewis, who lives in Brighton. The new stadium will be built next to the Amex Stadium on the site of the club's current car park [BHAFC] Brighton have played at the Amex on occasion but currently host the majority of their Women's Super League matches at Crawley Town's Broadfield Stadium, about 20 miles away. "We've waited for it for a long time, we used to watch games in Crawley.

"You had to get two trains or drive a car, it's going to be more accessible", said Ritika Srivatsan, who lives in Brighton. Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said it was a "huge day" for women's football and the city. Brighton and Hove Albion have released their plans for Europe's first purpose-built women's football stadium, which will cost £75-80m.