BRIGHTON and Hove Albion have been awarded Premier League Programme of the Season.

The Seagulls topped the vote ahead of West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City after it was labelled “a top-notch publication” by Programme Monthly

The magazine gives out the award each January.

This season’s matchday programme has increased to 100 pages from 84.

It returned to a book style with a hard spine format and now also includes a Young Seagulls pull-out section, despite staying at £3.50.

The Albion’s publications editor Luke Nicoli said: “It’s nice to know we’ve got a Premier League publication for a Premier League football club!”

“A lot of hard work, long hours and dedication goes into producing each issue of our matchday magazine, but we’re fortunate to have a very professional team to call upon – and I believe that is reflected in the quality of the product.”

“In the ever-changing world of digital media, it’s always a challenge to come up with a publication that provides an alternative for our fans come matchday, and the feedback we’ve had this season has been excellent.”

“We’ve also received plenty of compliments from opposing teams, too, which is always encouraging to hear.”

Alison Macey, Albion season ticket holder, told The Argus: ‘It’s always lovely to receive recognition in any form for the great club that we are.”

The 45-year-old, who works as an office manager at Hertford Infant and Nursery School, added: “I may be biased but our match day programme is, in my opinion, one of the best I’ve seen.

“I buy the programme every match without a shadow of a doubt, it’s my half time reading.”

“It’s a quality product with so much info in it and just another reason that I couldn’t be prouder to be an Albion supporter.”

Programme Monthly said Brighton and Hove Albion won the award because “unusually there are a large number of interviews with members of the current squad, while the historical section is packed with lots of quality as well as quantity”.

It added: “A high standard of design also enhances some excellent content.”

The Albion previously took the top spot for the Championship Programme of the Season.

Programme Monthly gives out the award every January.

The first issue of Programme Monthly was published in February 1981.

It claims to be the “World’s Greatest Football Programme & Memorabilia Magazine.”

This month’s magazine marks 442 issues.