Whitehawk would not lose its heart should the club change its name to Brighton City FC.

That was the message last night from chairman John Summers in an exclusive interview with The Argus.

Summers is determined to push ahead with attempts for the name change to go ahead in time for next season.

Their intention to change has been formally lodged with the Football Association.

The move has already drawn opposition with more than 1,100 people having signed a petition set up by a group of fans.

Brighton and Hove Albion are also opposed to the move.

A previous attempt for the name change to go through was blocked by the FA amid objections from Albion, who do not want another team using the name Brighton.

Summers, though, believes the proposal is vital to ensure a sustainable future for a club that has risen from the County League in 2010 to its current status in the sixth tier of English football thanks to considerable investment by a couple of benefactors.

Taking on a new name embracing the city, rather than an estate in East Brighton, would help the club attract vital new sponsors, according to Summers.

The chairman says he understands the concerns of supporters, many of whom have only started following the club in the last couple of years.

But he wants them to understand why the move is necessary and has assured all those connected with the club – including the Ultras, a hardcore group of fans – that Whitehawk would not lose its heart.

Summers said: “We have seen a number of tweets and the petition but we expected that because it is exactly what happened at Eastbourne Borough when they changed from Langney Sports. But we need to look at this as to where the club is going to be in five to ten years’ time.

“We are still going to have a Whitehawk Community Trust which we are setting up, we are still going to have a Whitehawk academy.

“That brand will still be there, we will still be playing in red, we will still be the Hawks but it will be punching in the city.

“The style of the football club, the style of football we play, what we are doing on and off the pitch, the Ultras, it is very alternative to Brighton and Hove Albion.

“I am very proud of the Ultras because they are anti-homophobia, they are inclusive, they have a different approach, their lack of swearing – it is so the city of Brighton. You can walk around the city of Brighton dressed as a lobster and nobody gives a damn. If you walk around somewhere else dressed as a lobster, they do give a damn.

“The Ultras are so reflective of our new city, which we want to be part of. We want to take advantage of the fact we are moving forward in a new era and embracing the city, whatever we are called. We are not doing anything unless the fans understand that.

“Having said that, they have to understand that with a couple of investors the club will never grow. They want to see winning on the pitch, that is what attracts fans, they want to see success on the pitch, that comes at a price and the gates we are getting doesn’t even cover the maintenance of the ground.

“These fans are so great at understanding that once they understand the full situation I don’t think there will be a question about it. If there is we will answer those questions.”

Summers admitted a new set of fans had not been party to consultations, which he regretted and which he says will now take place.

However, he explained the club were unaware of a change in FA procedure about applications for a name change having to be lodged by December 31 rather than the end of February and therefore had to submit their intention before holding new discussions.

The current application was made on previous consultations.

Summers said: “This is a club decision, not my decision, made by members, the owners and the volunteers as well as consultation with the fans.

“One of the things which is a major misconception is we have had 70 years of being in Brighton, we haven’t had 70 years of being in Whitehawk, we have never actually been in Whitehawk.”