Long-time Brighton and Hove Albion supporter Paul Samrah was recognised by the FA for his work for the club and grass roots football as part of their 150 year celebrations. Paul and his wife Belinda attended a ceremony, lunch and football match at Buckingham Palace in October, where Paul received his medal from Prince William in a formal ceremony. 149 other volunteers who had all played a part in supporting their local clubs also received medals, symbolising one for each year of the FA.
Paul, who is a partner in accountancy firm Kingston Smith LLP, has supported the club since a child. He was a key figure in the long battle to secure planning permission for the Amex stadium at the Falmer site, acting as a spokesperson for the ‘homeless’ club. Prior to this, his detailed research uncovered damning irregularities in the Club’s accounts which lead to regime change facilitated by the FA. In 1997 Brighton and Hove Albion were without a ground for several years, with temporary residence at the Gillingham stadium. As Chair of Falmer For All, the stadium campaigning pressure group, he lobbied Parliament and kept demands for a community stadium alive – even rallying Premiership managers to send flowers and cards one Valentine’s day to John Prescott, as a publicity stunt to remind him of the Club’s plight. In 2008, Paul was awarded the Football League Fan of the Year at a Sky TV awards ceremony.
Paul and Belinda enjoyed lunch at the Palace with their fellow volunteers hosted by Prince William and attended by footballing greats such as Michael Owen and Howard Webb. They then enjoyed a game played on the immaculate lawns of the Palace between two of the oldest amateur clubs in the country – Polytechnic FC and Civil Service FC. At half time, players were served refreshments by formally dressed butlers on the pitch.
Paul said; “When the phone rang and a representative of the FA said I was invited to accept the award I assumed it was some sort of joke. However, an email and letter to confirm soon arrived. It was an incredible day and a real honour to meet Prince William as well as meet some very interesting people who have made a real difference to club football. My award is on behalf of the many thousands of Albion fans that have campaigned over the years, some of whom sadly are no longer around. The day was a fitting celebration of 150 years of the FA and I was incredibly proud of behalf of Brighton & Hove Albion to have been invited.”
Emma Osman