THE ALBION will be in line for a £170 million cash injection if they gain promotion to the Premier League.

Having drawn against Derby 1-1 at the American Express Community Stadium yesterday, if the Seagulls beat Middlesbrough on Saturday they will be playing against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in the top flight of British football next season.

In doing so they would be looking at a massive financial boost of at least £170 million, according to leading accountants Deloitte.

The club registered a record crowd at yesterday's game with 30,292 through the turnstiles and speaking afterwards fans told how it was "amazing" to be in a position where they could be promoted.

Promotion fever is set to head into overdrive this week with the club's campaign to turn the city blue and white ahead of the weekend’s vital clash.

Paul Samrah, founder of the Falmer For All campaign, said with the rewards on offer, promotion would be like hitting the jackpot, but added: “For the fans it means so much more than that, it’s about seeing the Premier League sides down here at the Amex.

“Because of where we have come from, we are on a par with the Leicester City story.

"It’s just amazing to think our next home game at the Amex could be a full house for a Premier League game.”

A Delloitte spokesman told The Argus that Albion would gain at least £170 million from a promotion, with about £100 million of this coming from a new television deal and the rest determined by Albion’s final position in the league should they get promoted.

The team finishing 20th will receive £70 million and that is increased by £1.9 million for every spot climbed, meaning if Chris Hughton’s men finished 10th in the Premier League, they would be in line to pocket £189 million.

Business analysts said Brighton and Hove would also benefit financially, with millions more expected to be pumped into the city through an increase in travelling fans who might use the South Coast fixture for a weekend break.

Seagulls fan and performance poet John Baine, also known as Attila the Stockbroker, is playing a gig on the Friday night in Middlesbrough ahead of the promotion decider.

He said the event will be a memorable occasion whatever the result and will bring back memories of a gig he performed in Hereford after the club narrowly staved off relegation from the football league in 1997.

He added: “For me it is just amazing that we are doing what we are doing now, where we are in the league and playing in a stadium of 31,000 when you think of where we have come from and the fact that nineteen years ago it was the end of the Goldstone.”

If Albion fail to secure automatic promotion by winning at Middlesbrough, the club could still go up via the play offs which will begin the following week.

PROMOTION COULD BOOST THE CITY ECONOMY

IF ALBION are promoted Brighton and Hove could see millions of pounds pumped into the city’s economy, according to business analysts. 

Professors at the Brighton Business School said the unique combination of Brighton’s seaside appeal and large numbers of visiting fans could provide a boost to the city’s tourism sector, with away supporters coming to watch the game and staying for the weekend.

Three years ago a study estimated that Swansea City Football Club’s promotion to the Premier League netted the Welsh economy nearly £60 million and 400 jobs.

Professor Tim Brady, of the Brighton Business School, said: “There will definitely be a multiplier effect, it’s going to be good for Brighton.

“Premier League fans travel in greater numbers, so where you might get 160 or so fans coming down on a Tuesday at the moment, that might be thousands of travelling supporters from the bigger Premiership clubs.

“And of course because it’s Brighton, people might say ‘let’s go down to spend the weekend’.”

His colleague Professor Jonathan Sapsed agreed that it would raise the profile of the city and feed the tourist economy.

He added: “Clearly there will be a huge influx of investment into the club itself, and I’m sure they’ll use that to do more sponsorships and more activities in the community because I know the club does a lot of that.”

In the Cardiff University study into Swansea FC, academics concluded that 340 jobs in the city, and a further 60 across Wales, were either created or protected by entry to top flight football, creating a £58m stimulus to the economy in the first year.

COLOURS ON SHOW FOR THE ALBION

SUSSEX continues to turn blue and white as Albion’s push for the Premier League promotion goes down to the last day of the season.

Fans, politicians, school pupils and pets have all been showing their true colours in support of the Seagulls’ push for glory.

The club issued a call with The Argus a fortnight ago for the whole of Sussex to turn blue and white to back the club – and the county has not disappointed.

The county’s Residents are being encouraged to fly Albion flags while businesses are being asked to let their staff wear the club’s colours and deck out their offices and premises in blue and white.

All the city’s Politicians have joined in too wrapped themselves in blue and white despite their own political colours with – Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby wore his Albion tie to Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Hove MP Peter Kyle draping the Seagulls’ flag outside his constituency office and Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas also flew the Seagulls' flag outside their offices out her flag.

Many of the city’s landmarks are changing colour for the occasion too – Hove Town Hall is getting a blue and white covering, thanks to construction firm Westridge as it undergoes an £11 million refurbishment.

The the Brighton Wheel turned blue and white on Saturday night and while a flag was also hoisted up Sussex’s tallest tourism attraction the i360 last week.

Bhasvic staff and pupils also got into the spirit by donning Albion shirts as their workwear on Friday. How have you been showing your colours? If you are a school, business or fan send us your pictures of how you are backing the Albion in the countdown to the biggest game in the club’s history.