PAUL BARBER says it is “humbling” to be recognised in the New Year’s Honours.

Now he wants to see glittering prizes of a different kind at the Amex – with Albion winning a major trophy.

The club’s chief executive and deputy chairman has been awarded an OBE for services to football.

Barber has been a driving force over the last decade in helping Albion to the upper reaches of the Premier League. The club also have thriving academy, women’s and community sections.

He is also well known for roles with the FA and Premier League and in the women’s game.

Barber worked with Tottenham, England and Vancouver Whitecaps before arriving at Albion in 2012.

He said of the award: “It’s humbling because it’s for services to football which is a team sport, and I’ve always been part of a team from when I was young and playing football to being part of a professional environment in my working life.

“I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I have without the teams I’ve had around me.

“I’m particularly delighted for my family, who have had to live this life, sometimes vicariously and at times when they’d rather have not, because there are highs and lows in football and sometimes the lows are tough.

"It’s a labour of love for me. It’s never something I’ve had to endure but sometimes they have.”

Barber has been chairman Tony Bloom’s right-hand man as the club compete admirably in the world’s toughest league.

He added: “Getting to the Premier League was important.

“So was staying there. You don’t get the same sense of euphoria but it’s very important all the same.

“Earlier, reaching two cup finals with Spurs. We won one and lost one and I think in football you have to lose to appreciate winning.

"Then to be part of the England set-up at the 2002 World Cup and a quarter-final against Brazil was incredible, to be working at that level with the players we had at that time.

“Added together it’s been a fascinating and rewarding journey.”

Barber has no plans to step away from his football and has a clear goal for the club.

He said: “I think from a professional point of view trying to win a trophy with Brighton would be incredible.

“That would a realisation of a dream, not only for Tony and the board and the staff and the coaches and players but all of the fans and the community as a whole.

“It is something we have not achieved as a club. We would love to do that.

"On a personal level, to keep having the same enthusiasm to get out there every day and do this job.”

Barber earned a lot of praise during lockdown, when Albion led the way in terms of communication with supporters and the media via marathon Zoom sessions which often lasted more than two hours.

He said: “When a club decides to speak openly during a time of crisis it’s the CEO who typically takes that responsibility.

“As a club we felt we had to communicate what was going on. When such a big part of people’s lives like football disappears, they want to know why and what is happening.

“At times, maybe people got sick of us, but we particularly wanted to connect with our fans and the wider community.”