Cash-strapped Brighton and Hove Albion have turned down a £60,000 windfall because the money comes from a company headed by hated former chairman Bill Archer.

The Seagulls have rejected an invitation from the Football League to have Wickes Home Improvement Centres as a sponsorship partner.

Last week, Albion launched the Alive and Kicking appeal to raise £2 million from fans, illustrating their financial plight. But they have still said no to the Wickes deal because of the Archer connection.

The DIY chain is part of the Focus Wickes group, of which Archer, who sold the club's Goldstone ground from beneath them in 1995, is chairman and chief executive officer.

Albion chairman Dick Knight said: "It was not a difficult decision for us to turn down this money, even when the club is strapped for cash and we are, at this very moment, asking fans for their help.

"Despite our plight we do not feel it is appropriate to become associated with a company run by someone who supporters hold responsible for the position we are now in."

The Football League is negotiating a £500,000 deal with Wickes to earn Albion and the other 23 clubs in the Coca-Cola Championship £20,000 for each of the next three seasons.

In return, Wickes would receive a range of marketing benefits, including the use of club names and player images.

It would also be entitled to advertising boards, programme adverts and free tickets for Albion's home matches at Withdean.

The move would enrage fans, who have never forgiven Archer for the way he ran the club before leaving it homeless.

The £2 million Albion are trying to raise is to cover a shortfall accumulated during the seven years since Knight took control from Archer.

It includes a £700,000 pay-off to Archer to sever his ties with the club.

Albion also had to set aside £347,000 in last year's accounts for a potential capital gains tax charge arising from the sale of the Goldstone by Archer.