Albion are celebrating tonight, after winning yet another Football League Award at this year's ceremony.
The club scooped the Football League Trust Best Community Project award for the 'Making A Difference' disability project - to add to three previous community and fan awards.
The club's hard-working disability officer Teresa Sanders and president Dick Knight received the award on behalf of the club at a gala dinner at Grosvenor House, Park Lane in front of 900 attendees from clubs, sponsors and the football industry.
'Making A Difference' gives disabled children and adults the chance to play football in clubs, schools and day centres as well as offering them the opportunity to play in local, regional and national competitions.
Through such hard work they have created numerous successful partnerships and so helped over 4,283 individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Albion were one of the first clubs to launch their disability project, and have provided life changing and enhancing experiences by using football as a healthy recreation for all the children and adults involved. Activies have helped participants build confidence and raise self esteem.
What the FL judges liked about the project was the important support the scheme offers to the parents of the youngsters with special needs. It provides the help and support they need as well as giving them the opportunity to create friendships with other parents and create anetwork of support.
The specialist coaching available for wheelchair users, the visually impaired and those with hearing difficulties not only improves their basic physical and life skills, the
coaches provide positive role models through the coaching and mentoring system.
Mark Blakemore, a member of the judging panel said, "Brighton & Hove Albion have an outstanding project; it's a well organised and far ranging programme of activities that enables over 4,000 participants to build confidence, improve health and take an active role in the community."
On collecting the award, unsung hero Teresa said, "For the club to be recognised for our achievements with young people we are absolutely honoured to receive this. It is the culmination of 15 years of hard work and dedication by the club and the board, all of our staff and coaches.
"But most importantly from our players some of which have been there since we started in 1997 on our first ever session. We are taking the award for them and their parents because they are the people that are really important to our community scheme."
Meanwhile, former Albion midfielder Zesh Rehmann picked up the PFA Player in the Community award for his work with Bradford City community scheme, Kick it Out, Show Racism the Red Card and the Prince's Trust.
Watch a video about the disability project.
Watch a video about the overall scheme.
