A sense of bemusement crept into the room as Paul Barber addressed Brighton & Hove Albion's 300-strong workforce. The Seagulls' chief executive had gathered his staff together to lay out his and owner Tony Bloom's vision for the future on the south coast, and it wasn't being met with universal agreement.
Albion had just completed their first season back in the Championship, finishing a credible 10th in. 2012, their highest league position in more than 20 years. But Barber wasn't in any mood for backslapping and talk of consolidation. Instead, he was discussing what needed to be done for them to become an established Premier League side.
It was a display of ambition that inspired some of the assembled group, although the headshaking and facial expressions among the cynics in the room suggested some felt the aim was a mere flight of fancy. Eleven years on, it has proved to be anything but.
Now, the Seagulls are embarking upon their seventh successive Premier League campaign and preparing for their first ever experience of European football. Last term's sixth-placed finish was the highest in the club's history, earning them a spot in the group stage of the Europa League.
This has been no overnight success story. As Barber's speech in 2012 showed, Brighton have been attempting to break new ground for more than a decade.
"It's something the club has been aspiring to for a very long time," Barber explains to FourFourTwo. "The first task was to set that vision for everybody; to communicate it and make it real for people, to make them feel as though it was a possibility and a likelihood.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE PLAYERS LOUNGE
DUNCAN FERGUSON SEBASTIEN BASSONG SHOLA AMEOBI
THE BRADY BUNCH
Despite Birmingham dropping into League One, Blues are bouncing again - with an NFL legend in on the action
FOOTBALL'S FIGHT AGAINST PROSTATE CANCER
After battling the disease himself, Mick Harford tells FFT how he has joined forces with Viv Anderson, Grant McCann and more for a fundraising drive this October
BEWARE THE DIRTIEST TEAM EVER
Nestor Combin's face told the story of the 1969 Intercontinental Cup better than any match report.
IT WAS A WORLD RECORD TRANSFER.BUT I NEVER WANTED TO SIGN FOR MILAN.THEN CAME MY CRASH.I COULD HAVE DIED.
My name is Gigi and I'm a normal guy. I have friends and I spend time playing billiards with them it's one of the things I like the most.
THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT
While Chelsea's men have endured two years of mayhem, the women's side just keep on winning
BLUE IS THE COLOUR, CHAOS IS THE GAME
Todd Boehly's consortium took charge of Chelsea in the summer of 2022 - but what's followed has been a dizzying revolving door of players and managers, leading to disappointing results and discontent in the stands. If only he'd been allowed to play 4-4-3...
LOVE ALWAYS WINS
On August 1, 2019, Arsenal's great new hope appeared. Unai Emery was convinced he'd found a left-footer capable of scoring freely from the right wing, the man who'd lead the Gunners into the future.
DAVID PLEAT
\"Elton John sent me flowers after the newspaper allegations against me. A message with it said, 'Don't let the bastards grind you down\"\"
NINE REASONS TO BE EXCITED FOR COPA AMERICA
Family feuds, Bielsa's return and an Icelandic dentist - it's all been going on ahead of South America's biggest tournament hosted by, er, the USA. Oh, and Messi's going to be there as well...
