But now he is the driving force behind Brighton's exciting future.

The chairman has overseen the new state-of-the-art American Express Community Stadium for the Sussex club, promotion to the Championship and appointed a highly-rated manager in Gus Poyet.

And they have reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, where they will travel to Anfield to meet Premier League side Liverpool.

Brighton pulled off an amazing 1-0 win over Newcastle United at home on Sunday to progress to the last 16 of the world's most famous cup competition.

"It is a very exciting time at Brighton," Tony told Sportsworld.

"We were in the top-flight when I was growing up, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the support is there.

"We sell out our stadium and we will be taking a lot of fans to Liverpool."

Brighton have already met Liverpool this season, losing narrowly at the Amex in the Carling Cup.

Brighton-born-and-bred, the club is in his blood.

Tony's grandfather Harry Bloom was vice-chairman for many years, while his uncle Ray Bloom has sat on its board for 25 years.

Tony was at Wembley when Brighton reached the FA Cup final in 1983, against Manchester United.

The first game, which ended 2-2, is perhaps best known for Gordon Smith's incredible miss which would have taken the trophy to the south coast.

Brighton lost the replay 4-0.

Before moving into the Amex Stadium this season, Brighton had been without a permanent home since leaving the Goldstone Ground in 1997.

They spent most of their time at the Withdean Athletics Stadium and also shared Gillingham's Priestfield ground.

"It was very difficult financially for Brighton," Tony, 41, recalled. "To survive for so long was amazing.

"We are all very proud of the new stadium and I helped out financially when Dick Knight was the chairman.

"Without the huge backing of our fans, we wouldn't have received planning permission - there were three public inquiries about it.

"It has taken a lot of hard work and effort."

Tony explained that the cost of the stadium was more than expected and came at the same time as the global financial credit crisis hit.

"Banks were not lending money to anyone," he said.

Tony added that the club had submitted a planning application to increase the Amex's capacity to just over 30,000.

There are also plans for an academy and training facilities.

Coming from a close-knit Jewish community in Brighton, Tony said he has never experienced any antisemitism.

Currently a hugely contentious issue in football, he has his own thoughts on the perceived problem of racism in the game.

Tony explained: "It is totally unacceptable in this day and age, but I think the racism is more to do with society at large than football.

"Tolerance is a lot better in Britain than in most countries.

"You have to come down on anyone who is racist, but I really don't think it is a big problem in football."

Reading maths at Manchester University, he became a property investor - and also earned a lot of money playing poker professionally.

"I started at university, but don't have much time to play these days," Tony added.

"I do sometimes play in the occasional big tournament, though."

Married with one son and a member of the Hove Hebrew Congregation, he intimated that he wouldn't be surprised if before too long an Israeli footballer plied his trade at Brighton.

"Our scouting system keeps track of some Israeli players," Tony said.

"It would have to be based on merit though and nothing else."

Two Israeli internationals have turned out for Brighton - Jacob Cohen, who made six appearances in 1980-1981, and Moshe Gariani, in the same season.

Known as a team that likes to play flowing football, Brighton's neat style of play and sense of passion emanates from their Uruguayan manager Gus Poyet.

It was Tony who appointed the former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder just over two years ago.

He recalled: "We knew Gus had the right credentials, after coaching at Spurs, Swindon and Leeds.

"He hadn't managed before and I always thought let other clubs make mistakes and only bring in someone with managerial experience.

"But Gus came across extremely well and it became an easy decision to choose him - he stabilised the club and since then has done a great job."