Brighton and Hove Albion's soaraway season has won them a new league of fans - in Serbia.

At the height of the troubles in the former Yugoslavia, a new fan club was set up to support the Seagulls.

Its founder, Vladimir Milojevic, is in Brighton this week after watching the Albion cap the golden year which has seen them leap into Division One.

Law student Vladimir, 23, said a growing number of football supporters were turning their eyes from the successes of 1991 world club champions Red Star Belgrade to follow the fortunes of Sussex's heroes.

He said: "They are the best."

Vladimir was introduced to the Seagulls when he made his first visit to his sister Valentina's home in Hove eight years ago.

He was so impressed by the team and their fans he turned his friends on to the Albion and a growing number are tuning in to watch match highlights on satellite TV every week.

He said: "It was the first time I visited England and my sister took me to a game. It was love at first sight.

"The stadium was nice and the fans were really great. When I went back I told my friends and they became interested. It's hard to explain but it's just gone crazy.

"In Serbia we don't like the big teams like Manchester United but for some reason the Albion have become really popular.

"Each time I visit my sister I buy books, programmes, banners and T-shirts. Now whenever they show the Albion we all get together wearing the team colours to watch the match on cable.

"Bobby Zamora is just brilliant - he has become a real icon in Belgrade.

"After Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade), Brighton is easily the most important club in our city."

He said in a small way the team's decade of troubles in the Nineties mirrored the fortunes of his home country.

He said: "After 1991, when Red Star had their best ever year, it became very difficult for teams to play because of sanctions.

"For the past ten years it has been really hard living.

"Now things are improving it's a lot easier. Salaries are better and people can live again."