Brighton and Hove Albion have issued a desperate plea to football fans everywhere - help save our club.

Chairman Dick Knight said: "In the past many fans from other clubs have helped Brighton and Hove Albion at the memorable Fans United days.

"Once again, as chairman of Brighton, I am asking football fans to help us - this time in our bid for a new stadium and, ultimately, the survival of our club.

"I am asking all fans to write to the Deputy Prime Minister urgently. It would be totally unfair for this club and its fans, not to mention this city and the local community, to be denied their right to a modern stadium simply because compelling facts have been casually dismissed by this inspector."

No one knows when John Prescott will announce his findings but a decision is thought to be imminent.

To ensure all views are heard in Whitehall, supporters have said there are just seven days to save the Albion - and the clock is ticking.

Albion chief executive Martin Perry said at least ten other clubs had already said they would write to Mr Prescott.

He said: "We know supporters are calling for fans all over the country to pull together, very much like Fans United seven years ago.

"Quite frankly, the Secretary of State needs to know this is not just a little local issue but a huge national issue.

"We play in three national competitions and if this scheme fails simply on the basis of the blinkered view of the Local Plan inspector, you start to unravel the whole matrix of the national game.

"Other clubs looking to redevelop their stadia will have the same problems because it would be the same precedent."

The Seagulls' existence stands on the brink after plans for a stadium at Falmer were dealt a hammer blow yesterday by a planning inspector.

Charles Hoile stated the Village Way site was too small for the proposed 23,000-seater community stadium.

He said Brighton and Hove City Council should not set the land aside for the arena in its Local Plan and instead look to other potential sites.

However, the inspector can be overruled by Mr Prescott, who has the final say on the planning application.

Thousands of people who care about football are emailing and writing to Mr Prescott. All football supporters, whatever their colours, are being urged to add their voice to the lobby.

On the North Stand Chat web site supporters rallied behind the cause yesterday.

Some said they had printed off 50 letters and passed them around their workplaces.

Even a fan of arch-rivals Crystal Palace said: "I will send an email to JP in support. After all, what is the use of a rivalry without a rival?"

Supporters hope to rouse the spirit of 1996-97, when the Fans United day brought together supporters from all over Europe at the old Goldstone Ground in Hove.

More than 10,000 football lovers cast aside local rivalries to support the Albion. All 92 English league clubs were represented, and supporters of European giants such as Real Madrid and Barcelona also attended.

Tim Carder, chairman of the supporters' club, said: "We cannot stay at Withdean, which is for temporary use and very inadequate, and there is no other viable site apart from Falmer.

"Even if there was, we cannot afford another planning application - the present one has cost £2.5 million."

Paul Samrah, chairman of the Falmer For All campaign, said: "This seven-day campaign is critically important. Quite simply: No Falmer, no Brighton and Hove Albion."