McGhee 'was a broken man'

Knight said he decided to sack the once inspirational McGhee after seeing the supporters turn on him during a shocking 4 -1 home defeat against Crewe two weeks ago.

Speaking exclusively to The Argus, he revealed: l Dwindling crowds convinced him McGhee no longer had the support of the Seagulls' loyal fans; l He was the sole hatchet man and was not influenced in his decision by pressure from others; l He believed McGhee's continued tenure at the club could even damage its bid for a new stadium at Falmer.

Describing the Crewe defeat, Knight said: "During that game Mark kind of lost the crowd.

"It was an important factor when I saw fans streaming out long before the end of the game.

"I'm a fan, so I understand how they feel. I can't ignore that."

The crowd for the Crewe match was less than 6,000 and almost 1,000 down on the previous home game against Brentford.

Last Saturday, fewer than 700 travelled to see the Seagulls lose their third League game in a row 1-0 at Bristol City, a good following by the standards of most clubs at Albion's level but another disturbing sign to Knight of dwindling support.

The chairman, booked on a flight to his Spanish holiday retreat, did not have time to speak to McGhee after the match.

He sat on his balcony over the next few days, contemplating the manager's future but could not get one particular picture out of his mind.

He said: "It was really this image of Mark at Bristol.

"He looked to me from his body language that he was a broken man and I really felt for him. I thought this can't go on'."

Knight flew back to England and booked his normal table in a corner on the first floor of Topolin's restaurant in Hove, for Thursday lunchtime.

McGhee, unaware of the fate awaiting him, was told he was being sacked. Knight then rang the manager's assistant, Bob Booker, to tell him he too had to go.

Knight told The Argus: "I supported Mark strongly a few months ago. I stood up and was counted by his side with (chief executive) Martin Perry but the situation has very definitely worsened as far as the fans are concerned and I cannot ignore that.

"There are 40 games to go this season and the momentum of the club is in jeopardy. Everything comes back to the stadium issue. It's even a factor in new players not coming in.

"The momentum of the club is linked to the stadium and we cannot afford to be in the situation where we are playing to rows of empty seats at Withdean.

"What I have to see is progress on the playing side and fans turning up in numbers."

The long-serving chairman insisted his decision had nothing to do with Tony Bloom, the major investor who attempted to oust McGhee in May and split the board following Albion's relegation from the Championship.

Bloom's uncle, Ray, and fellow director Derek Chapman, wanted McGhee out. He survived because he had the backing of Knight and Perry.

Once results started going downhill it proved to be a brief stay of execution.

Knight said: "I went away for a few days, mulled it over, and I can assure you it was my decision and my decision alone. I have not been under pressure from board members or anybody. I told the board the decision I was making.

"I'm not making an about turn. The factor that has changed my view is the fans. I don't want to see the manager coming in for abuse from fans.

"I have said often enough that we are a community club and I can't stand by when the vast majority of fans withdrew support for him. I had no alternative, given that the fans have voted with their feet."