Brighton student wins national award with touching story about heritage wall at Amex stadium

Isabelle Martin who is in her final year studying for a degree in Sports Journalism won the Vikki Orvice Student Football Writer of the Year award, presented by the Football Writers’ Association for her piece about the heritage wall at the home of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C, and its emotional significance to generations of club supporters.

The award is one of the highest honours available to emerging football writers in the UK and attracted a record number of entries this year from journalism students across the country.

Isabelle’s winning piece was originally written as part of a university assignment and struck a chord with many Brighton supporters because of its deeply personal subject matter when it was published.

Her own family has a direct connection to the heritage wall, with her great-grandfather’s tile among the first installed at the stadium.

She said: “When I found out the club may take down the heritage tiles; I was really disappointed. My great-grandfather’s tile was one of the first to be put up at the Amex, so the threat of losing that bit of family history at the stadium inspired me to write the piece.

“I’m very proud to have won such a prestigious award, especially as the article topic was so close to my heart.”

Isabelle said the article was shaped heavily by skills developed during her studies at the University of Brighton.

“The piece was written and submitted for one of the modules, so in that sense the course was a great influence. Learning how to create opinion-led columns was tough but thanks to the support from my lecturers, I was able to write this article,” she said.

“I also have Adam Powley to thank as he brought the Football Writers’ Association entry to my attention.”

Adam Powley, course leader for Sports Journalism at the University of Brighton, said: “We are incredibly proud of Isabelle and this outstanding achievement. The Football Writers’ Association awards are among the most respected in sports journalism, so to win at a national level against such strong competition is a huge accomplishment.

“What makes Isabelle’s piece especially impressive is the way it combines strong reporting, opinion writing and genuine emotional connection. That ability to tell stories that resonate with readers is at the heart of great journalism, and Isabelle’s success reflects both her talent and the hard work she has put into developing her voice as a writer.”

The award was presented during the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year Awards ceremony alongside honours for leading football figures including Bunny Shaw and Bruno Fernandes.

Isabelle is currently working for Dave.sport as its Brighton & Hove Albion writer and hopes to pursue a full-time career in football journalism after graduating.