Brighton and Hove Albion have been a club in crisis for some considerable time but this is because they have no ground. The Goldstone Ground was sold from under them when Bill Archer got control of the club and for a while they had to play their home games at Gillingham, something none of us would even wish on an enemy.
They did return to Brighton but to play at the totally unsuitable Withdean Stadium. Any Burnley fans who made the journey there last season saw the dreadful facilities at a ground that is not fit to stage league football.
Brighton’s plan is to build a new stadium at Falmer on the outskirts of Brighton, a move that has the backing of the City Council. But it is now being opposed by a planning inspector who has recommended that the council turn down the application.
The club are still awaiting the final decision, which will come from Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and it is expected at any time. Without a positive outcome they believe that their club is doomed.
They cannot stay at the Withdean for much longer and cannot afford to apply for planning permission elsewhere, the current application has cost them £2.5 million.
Brighton are asking for our help.
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PLEASE either write a letter to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) or send an email AS A MATTER OF URGENCY. PLEASE DO THIS NOW.
We need to get over to the DPM that a new home for Brighton & Hove Albion, as part of a nationwide league of clubs playing the national sport, is a matter of national importance - especially as the Brighton conurbation is the 10th largest in England and Wales.
So, the points to make are as follows (you can cut and paste this bit):
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Dear Deputy Prime Minister
I am writing to urge you to approve the plans for a community stadium at Falmer, Brighton.
I believe you should do this for the following reasons:
1. Brighton & Hove is a city of national importance and its football club is important as part of the national league competitions in our national sport.
2. The evidence shows that the site identified by the city council at Falmer is the only viable one for a community stadium in a city hemmed in by the South Downs and the sea.
3. A community stadium is essential for the well-being of any town or city. It brings communities together, provides opportunities in sport, education and employment, and enables the local football club to fulfil its potential within the community and for the benefit of it.
Please approve the plans for Brighton & Hove's community stadium.
Yours sincerely
etc etc
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PLEASE BE SURE TO ADD YOUR NAME AND POSTAL ADDRESS whether on a letter or an email. You can of course embellish the above points with any you wish to make, but it is essential that you please send something if you ever want to come and see football by the seaside again.
Letters should be sent to
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
26 Whitehall
London SW1A 2WH
or alternatively click HERE to email.