Spireite supporters are being asked to help Brighton & Hove Albion fans in their ten-year quest for a new stadium for their beloved Seagulls - by taking a few minutes to send off a special pro-forma letter in support of the south-coast club's new home.

This week is the tenth anniversary of the club leaving their old Goldstone Ground home, and marks a decade of homelessness for the football club.

Two years at the end of the 1990s were spent in exile at Gillingham, when fans had to endure a 140-mile round trip to Kent for home matches.

A view of the Withdean Stadium

In 1999, the club returned to temporary accommodation at the Withdean athletics stadium, on the outskirts of the city.

However (as fans who've been will testify) the tiny converted facility is far from ideal for Conference football - let alone league football, and the club hope one day they'll be able to welcome visiting supporters to a modern arena at Falmer; where they hope their long-term future lies.

Brighton's future maybe

A planning application was first heard in 2002, which Brighton & Hove City Council gave the go ahead. However the Government called in the application and a public inquiry was held.

After the first public inquiry (which was also re-opened) then Secretary of State John Prescott gave the go ahead; however a legal challenge by opponents to the new stadium highlighted an administrative error.

That meant the Government had to retake the decision, which will now be made by Ruth Kelly - who has since succeeded Prescott. Her office has said she will make the decision by 9th July.

Brighton fans, knowing their club's very existence will be in the balance should their plans be turned down, do not want to leave anything to chance. Therefore they're asking all football fans to show their support for the stadium.

Tim Carder of the Brighton & Hove Albion supporters' club said, "Football is so much stronger when supporters stick together. Please help us in our hour of need so that one day we can welcome you to Sussex-by-the-Sea in a stadium fit for the 21st century." 

Please show your support for Brighton's stadium, by downloading a PDF of a sepcial pro-forma letter by the end of April.

Simply click this link, print, fill in and send as soon as you can.

Brighton special pro-forma letter here

More information on Brighton's proposed new home can be found at www.seagulls.co.uk. 

ENDS - 24th April 2007

Contact: Paul Camillin, 07747 773692