Dick Knight has poured scorn on a renewed bid for the club by health farm tycoon Stephen Purdew.

Purdew has restated his offer to pump millions of pounds into the Seagulls after a "chance meeting" with Knight yesterday.

But Knight has laughed off Purdew's claim that they will be meeting again. Purdew said: "I had a chance meeting with Dick Knight yesterday. We only had a brief discussion and we are going to have a meeting again.

"I am still very interested and he knows I am. The club has not got very far in the last year. It has still got the same problems. I don't think he is getting anywhere. Under the circumstances he has done a good job, but he has got to put trust in other people.

"He has got Brighton at heart, I have never disputed that. Hopefully we will get more out of our next meeting than last time."

Knight said: "I was walking along Church Road in Hove yesterday afternoon when I was beset upon by someone shouting at me. He persisted in following me and introduced himself as Stephen Purdew.

"I'd met him once before, but I didn't recognise him as he has changed his hairstyle. He said we must have lunch some time. If that's a meeting let us treat it with the contempt it deserves. I can assure you there are no dates in my diary to have lunch with Mister Purdew. This is complete nonsense."

The Argus exclusively revealed a year ago that Sussex-born Purdew, owner of several health farms including Forest Mere in Hampshire, was willing to pump millions into Albion in return for a controlling stake.

Talks broke down when Knight rejected the offer and insisted no single person would be allowed control. Knight revealed earlier this month that Albion expect to lose £100,000 in their first season at Withdean.

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