THE boys in blue are on their way to the promised land and have all their fans behind them.

That is the message from public figures and lifelong supporters today as everyone waits with bated breath to see if the Seagulls will clinch a place in the Premier League at this afternoon’s match against Wigan.

Although it has been a long struggle for the once-ailing club, fans stuck with them through thick and thin and watched as they clawed their way back up to a top spot.

Excitement and anticipation have been building over the weekend ahead of what boss Chris Hughton describes as “big Monday”.

Flags of support adorn houses across the city and there is a constant flow of good luck messages online with the catchphrases #Together and #We’re on our way’.

Former chairman and current president Dick Knight, who saved the club from extinction, said: “It’s the end of a marvellous road that the Albion have gone on.

“I’m delighted for the fans in particular. They have been through so much.

“They’ve gone from virtually not having a club to having a brilliant one. It is what they deserve.

“I am absolutely 100 per cent behind the team. They just need to make sure they don’t fall at the final hurdle.

“I have every confidence in Chris and the boys.”

Council leader Warren Morgan said: “As a lifelong fan, this is an incredible place to be, on the verge of promotion to the Premier League.

“We should all thank Dick Knight, Martin Perry and the fans who brought the Albion back from the brink of oblivion 20 years ago, and Tony Bloom who has invested tens of millions to get the club to this point.

“We have a Premier League set-up and deserve promotion this year after coming so close last season and after what has been an emotional ten months.

“Chelsea, Spurs, Crystal Palace; we’re on our way. And we’ve got Knockaert, Anthony Knockaert!”

Liz Costa, vice-chairman of the Albion supporters club, said: “I feel nervous, excited, but not worried.

“If the players do what they have been doing and go out and play the game they know we don’t need to worry about anything. They will do it.

“Around 20 years ago we were struggling to survive and now we’re on our way to the Premier League. My message to them is, boys, do what you do well and take us to the promised land.”

Mayor Pete West said: “My message to the team is keep having fun, and keep putting them in the net.

“It will be fantastic for the city to have a premier League team. It will be a proud moment for us.

“Economically the benefit will be enormous but the most important impact will be the community spirit of the fans.

“I think I will be the first mayor of Brighton and Hove in 30 years to celebrate having a team in the Premier League.”

Sussex Police chief constable Giles York said everyone in the force is behind the team and fully supports its ambitions. An Albion flag is being flown at police headquarters in Lewes.

Other well wishers have included Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas and Whitehawk Football Club.

TODAY’S THE DAY ALBION’S DREAMS COULD FINALLY COME TRUE

By Peter Lindsey

SO today the dream could finally come true and Albion will get promoted to the Premier League.

Just like on Friday, it will depend on how both Albion and then Huddersfield fare today.

Albion go first with a 3pm kick-off against lowly Wigan.

Nothing less than three points will be expected from the Albion faithful and it will be a major shock if they don’t win.

Then attention will turn to the Huddersfield game at Derby which has a 5pm start.

If Huddersfield win, then mathematically Albion will need one more point to secure promotion.

If they draw – with Albion 12 points ahead of them at the start of Easter Monday – we may still have to wait just a few days more.

If they lose that’s it, Albion are up.

Whatever happens today of course we will now see Albion in the Premier League next season.

It will just be a relief once they have finally gone over the finishing line.

And what a season it has been.

Consistency appears to have been a major factor as the team attempted to forget about the past two seasons when it was a case of almost but not quite.

Manager Chris Hughton has made a massive difference.

What a great signing he was by the board.

Soon attention will turn to life in the Premier League and that’s something Chris knows about only too well.

He has been there with both Newcastle and Norwich.

On both occasions he was sacked.

He says, quite rightly, he has nothing to prove about his track record and managing in the Premier League.

But of course, like everyone at the Albion, he will want to succeed.

So what would success be next season, the first in the elite division?

My guess is that chairman Tony Bloom would settle for survival but hopefully better than a place fourth from bottom.

There is no doubt new signings will be needed but how many is open to debate.

But going straight back down is un-thinkable.

It has taken the Albion a long time to get this far.

I’m sure Bloom and Hughton will put everything in order to ensure that consolidation next season – and who knows perhaps a little more?

But that’s not for today.

Beating Wigan Athletic is the one priority.