Phil Broom

Nominated by Albion in the Community

Committed to using the power of football to deliver high-quality, accessible opportunities that improve the health and wellbeing, education and aspirations of our community. 

www.albioninthecommunity.org.uk

Phil Broom has a driving passion — to make sure that disabled supporters of Brighton & Hove Albion FC feel valued and included.

A key member of the Albion in the Community team, Phil works as the club’s Development Officer. He is a massively popular coach with a track record of going above and beyond for others. He devotes himself to opening doors for people with disabilities to get involved with football. 

For instance, when a young participant was diagnosed with cancer and was too unwell to attend training, Phil organised a session for him in his back garden. When another player told Phil he couldn’t practice because he didn’t own a football, Phil hand-delivered one to his house that very same day. When a local disability league player turned up to play on a cold, wet winter morning without their boots, Phil gave them his own to wear.

And when lockdown kicked in, Phil was determined that no one should be left behind. Yet he knew that training was the only time when many special needs players got to socialise. The pandemic threatened to leave dozens isolated, but Phil vowed that this would never happen.

That’s why he launched football training via Zoom, with weekly challenges that players could enjoy from home. It was a huge success and put a smile on many faces during a tough time. And when lockdown lifted, he travelled all over Sussex to visit community players face-to-face. 

If that wasn’t enough, this local hero also delivers weekly meals to vulnerable families, even giving up his well-earned annual leave to do so. In short, Phil is a shining example of the Brighton spirit of community, inclusiveness and, most of all, friendship.