Albion have set up a working party to look at ways of improving the atmosphere at Withdean.

Staff have been asked to come up with ideas following an Argus story criticising the match day experience at the Seagulls' temporary home.

Albion writer Andy Naylor argued the club's theme tune, 'Sussex By The Sea', should be ditched in favour of a more inspiring alternative when the players run out.

The Argus received a flood of protests, but many people agreed something has to be done to build up the atmosphere at Withdean.

Chairman Dick Knight said: "We took Andy's comments seriously. Apart from not agreeing with him about 'Sussex By The Sea', there are huge issues at Withdean about generating crowd atmosphere and the match experience, and we intend to do something about it.

"We've actually appointed a group of people within the club to come up with ideas which Martin (Perry) and I will vet.

"We want some young ideas. We have some good people in the club and we have given them a brief to think about it as a result of the article."

Perry, Albion's chief executive, is on the working party. He said: "You cannot get rid of 'Sussex By The Sea', but there are ways of building up a better atmosphere at Withdean and we need to take a look at that."

Albion are not helped by the inhibitive playing regulations at Withdean which, for example, limit the playing of music to the half-hour before kick-off, and the outdated sound equipment at the converted athletics track.

Knight said: "It is difficult to generate an atmosphere. Even the idea of having somebody on the mike near the tunnel is technically not possible at the moment."

The carping and lack of vocal support at Withdean is a bone of contention for manager Mark McGhee and his players as they fight against the odds to survive in the Championship.

McGhee said: "I appreciate as much as anyone that what happens on the pitch has a huge impact on what the atmosphere is like in the stadium.

"However, I think fans too have to work that little bit harder towards creating it.

"If people want to create an atmosphere that helps the team, then they have to do something more than the average punter at West Ham, Reading or Wolves, where the stadium automatically engenders a climate for supporting your team. Withdean requires an effort on everyone's part."

Albion are not the only Championship club tackling the issue of atmosphere at home matches.

Ipswich, top of the table following Saturday's controversial 1-0 victory over the Seagulls at Portman Road, are launching a competition to find a club anthem, chant and music for the entry onto the pitch of the players.

Chairman David Sheepshanks said: "I think we should come up with something that can really unite the fans vocally in support of the team.

"Something that can make the hairs on the back of the players' necks stand up as much as the crowd who are singing it!"