Brighton and Hove Albion chairman Dick Knight has issued a New Year message to John Prescott: "Our future is in your hands."

He said the Deputy Prime Minister's decision on the Falmer stadium proposal this year would either make or break the club.

But the longer the saga rolls on the more the Albion will sink into financial crisis.

Mr Knight has already gone to fans with the begging bowl to help with the club's running costs and been forced to sell two high-profile players.

In a New Year message to supporters, Mr Knight declared: "Mr Prescott should be in no doubt he holds the future of this club in his hands, and of the absolute determination of the board in 2005 to secure the future of the Albion for the next 100 years."

Mr Knight reflected on a roller-coaster year in which money problems and stadium setbacks contrasted with triumphs on the field.

The Seagulls were promoted to the Championship after a dramatic play-off final at the Millennium Stadium in May.

However, the public inquiry into the Falmer stadium bid was extended until the end of February 2005 after pressure to explore alternative sites.

The delay meant the club could not raise money and had to launch the Alive and Kicking appeal, to which fans have so far donated about £250,000.

Mr Knight said: "When we identified Falmer as the most suitable site for our new stadium back in early 1999, we never expected to still be waiting for a decision more than five years later.

"We could not have anticipated the continued delays or further costs that, even in the past few weeks, have risen from an estimated £250,000 to more than £300,000.

"This came after Falmer Parish Council pushed for two extra sites to be added to the list of alternatives to be examined at the inquiry.

"The cost of evaluating each site is approximately £30,000. Our opponents are aware of this and equally aware of how precious money is to this club.

"It seems they would quite happily see the Albion die if it meant no stadium was built at Falmer - the only realistically viable location in Brighton and Hove."

He fears the club will continue to lose big players like captain Danny Cullip, who was sold to Sheffield United for £400,000 this month, if the uncertainty over the stadium continues.

Mr Knight said: "Thousands of you crowded the seafront during the Labour Party conference to take your message to John Prescott.

"Even Tony Blair admitted in his closing speech that the Brighton stadium saga had dragged on far too long.

"The club's financial survival must remain our priority.

"My New Year wish for you all is that John Prescott finally delivers because you are the most resolute and deserving supporters in the history of English football."