As the owner of a pub just yards away from a new football stadium, choosing not to embrace matchdays with open arms might sound like something of an own goal.

For years the Swan Inn in Falmer, run by football-hating John Woodruff, became the focal point of a campaign against Brighton and Hove Albion’s £93 million new home.

But, with less than a year until the club moves in, things have changed.

Mr Woodruff died in June and left the pub and its grounds to a family that had worked for him for years.

Now the Gappers are preparing to welcome thousands of thirsty Albion fans and think running the pub at such a time was the business equivalent of winning the football pools.

Mother-and-son team Linda and Martin Gapper said matchdays would transform quiet Saturdays, when they usually welcome a handful of people and take about £300, into a thriving business.