Dick Knight
The fan who saved Brighton from extinction
Harry Richard Knight, an English businessman with a background in advertising, served as chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. from 1997 to 2009. A lifelong supporter of the club, he took control after leading fan protests against the previous board, which had sold the Goldstone Ground to property developers. By 2005, Knight owned 375,000 shares in the club’s holding company, making him the largest shareholder with 29.61%. He was replaced as chairman on 18 May 2009 by Tony Bloom, who had secured £93 million in funding for the new Falmer Stadium and acquired a 75% shareholding. Knight remains life president of the club and chairman of its charitable arm, Albion In The Community. A pub inside the stadium, Dick’s Bar, is named in his honour.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Chairman
- Affiliation
- Brighton & Hove Albion
Facts from the source article.
Background
Knight's takeover saved the club from liquidation after they narrowly avoided relegation from the Football League to the Conference in 1997. Under his chairmanship, Brighton won successive promotions in 2001 and 2002, bringing the club back to the second tier. He was replaced as chairman in May 2009 by Tony Bloom.
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