A MUCH-LOVED Brighton and Hove Albion supporter who was instrumental in the club’s move to Falmer has died.

Paul Whelch, who also wrote for fanzine Gulls Eyes, was 57 and had been ill for some months.

Tributes have flooded in, including from former club chairman Dick Knight.

New of Mr Whelch’s death on Wednesday comes with the club on the cusp of promotion to the Premier League after a superb season in the Championship.

It will be a huge shock to the Brighton faithful.

Mr Whelch, who was Brighton born and bred, was integral in helping the club through the dark times in the 1990s.

Mr Knight said: “I knew him very, very well indeed, he was a selfless contributor to the club and I will miss him.”

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s he was a writer for fanzine Gulls Eyes.

After the sale of the Goldstone Ground was exposed, Mr Whelch was a key figure in the various campaigns.

Mr Knight became chairman of the club in 1998 and Mr Whelch was involved in helping the club move to the Withdean Stadium.

When the club was looking for a permanent home, again it was Mr Whelch who was integral to the Falmer for All Campaign.

This was the start of the club’s move to their current home, the Amex stadium.

Mr Knight said: “Albion fans have a lot to thank Paul for. He was a selfless contributor to the Bring the Club Back and the Falmer for All campaign.”

Mr Knight had fond memories of Mr Whelch organising and running the litter pick-up system after every game at Withdean. Mr Knight said: “Paul ran the litter system after every game, and the area was always cleaner after the games than it was when Brighton weren’t playing.”

Brighton and Hove Albion historian Tim Carder said: “I’m devastated by this news. He was a deep thinker and would come up with all sorts of ideas.”

“Wherever there was any important Albion action, either on or off the pitch, Paul was always there, always ready to give his opinion and to ask a question or two of the powers-that-be.”