THE SEAGULLS are flying high both on and off the pitch after being named the best football club to work for in the country.

The club beat Premiership competition in the shape of Arsenal and Everton to win the prestigious titles at the Football Business Awards.

The club’s charity Albion in the Community also cracked open the bubbly after being named best community scheme outside of the top flight at the ceremony at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge on Thursday night.

Judges described the club as a “shining example” and praised Albion’s “family feel”.

In total the club and its partners were nominated in six categories – the most nominations for any club.

Against the best in the industry, the club finished runners-up in best fan engagement, best marketing, best non-match day use of a venue and best match-day experience categories.

The architects of the American Express Community Stadium, London and Kent-based KSS, took home the best service professional business serving football award.

Albion became the first-ever winners of the best football club to work for award with staff collecting it from former Seagulls star Mark Lawrenson and TV presenter Ray Stubbs.

Chief executive Paul Barber said: "We have won awards for the brilliant, innovative and hard work of our staff, but this is a unique and very special award to win, given that clubs have to be nominated by their own individual staff.

"To hear that several of our staff made passionate and glowing submissions for Brighton and Hove Albion is something the fans, players, staff and directors can all be very, very proud.”

Gary Townsend, Albion in the Community’s (AITC) chief operating officer, said: "It is fantastic for AITC to win this award and it is testament to the hard work of all our teams who are out in the community across Sussex every day making a difference to the lives of local people.

"Every single person involved with AITC should be incredibly proud."

Simon Burton, co-founder of the Football Business Awards, said: “As an employer Brighton focuses on integrating all employees so the club has a real family feel.

“All staff are supported in their roles and they create a healthy, fun environment that benefits all.

“The club continually encourages an energetic and positive atmosphere no matter what the circumstances.

“They are truly a shining example in their approach.”