So the worst kept secret of the last 20 years was finally revealed late last week.

Now the Albion are edging back to the big time, major Brighton employer American Express are to become an Albion sponsor. Way back in 1991 it was strongly rumoured that if Albion had progressed from the Play Off Final to The Premier League (as it was about to become) that Amex were to invest a significant sum in sponsorship, on the basis that their brand would be emblazoned across Saturday night T.V. And a fair few Sunday afternoons as well.

This has to be Albion’s biggest ever sponsorship deal eclipsing the one with British Caledonian in the early 80’s.

Let’s hope the club can project Amex’s investment to a bigger stage than League One as soon as possible.

It has been a little slower than many would have liked on the transfer market. I do hope that Gus and Tony will be bringing the type of quality player we need to gain promotion this season.

A few names are rumoured to be in the frame at the moment Gordon Greer, Adam Barratt and Alan McCormick for starters.

The strong internet rumour linking Kevin Phillips with the club appears to have been just that.

It is more likely to see Leslie Phillips turn up at Withdean next season, at least he’d be ‘bang on’. I would hope Gus will try and secure the permanent services of last season’s end of term loan players.

Newcastle appear reluctant to allow Kezenga Lua Lua to go anywhere permanently, but the young ‘Toon’ winger emphasized how much he enjoyed it in Sussex last time and that was reflected in his performances.

Ashley Barnes proved very effectively he could score at League One level. He, a fit and interested Glenn Murray could be Albion’s greatest forward pairing since Mike Small and John Byrne ? Even Ian Mellor and Peter Ward, but let’s not get carried away.

However I would love to see ex Villa and England star (a caps a cap!) Lee Hendrie sign for the Albion.

He gives the club that link between Premiership and where we are now and bit like Paul Kitson might have done eight or so years ago, had he got on the pitch more than 6 times in a season.

Hendrie showed flashes of great skill and advanced understanding of the game, in his stint here last spring. Which is what you’d expect from a player with over 200 Premier League appearances.

A permanent signing of his calibre, would show the Albion mean business and ARE punching well below their weight.

This coming week as pre season begins, should be interesting. Many hope we will see some flair players gracing our modest training ground. And hope the sparkling building just beyond will persuade them to join (soon to be) fashionable Brighton.