Albion are forking out more than £100,000 to give Micky Adams and his championship heroes a pitch to be proud of in the Second Division next season.

That is the cost of a complete overhaul of the troublesome playing surface at Withdean and the Seagulls are footing the bill.

The poor state of the Withdean pitch has been a major concern for Adams. Albion had to postpone three matches this year and re-turf part of it as a wet winter played havoc with the fixture programme.

Work is now well underway in an effort to cure the problems once and for all.

Chief executive Martin Perry revealed: "The pitch has been totally dug up. We are putting in a completely new drainage system and re-turfing the whole lot.

"It will be a totally new pitch. That is being done right now to give it the summer period to establish itself ready for our August 3 friendly against Sheffield United.

"The cost is in excess of £100,000 and the football club is financing it completely."

Withdean is one of the core issues Adams is worried about as he contemplates a new contract offer.

The Third Division manager of the year was alarmed by the prospect of non-League club Withdean 2000 sharing the Stadium next season.

Brighton and Hove Council initially supported that idea, but Withdean 2000 have now been told they cannot use the ground in their bid for election to the Combined Counties League.

Mike Middleton, lead councillor for leisure and chair of the Council's Albion task group, said: "This season proved that despite our best intentions it is completely impractical to try and accomodate two teams playing a full League programme.

"As Withdean 2000 have not yet had their application to the Combined Counties League accepted it seems only fair to tell them at this early stage."

The Withdean seats are being used once again for the British Open golf championship, which takes place this year at Royal Lytham and St Annes from July 19 to 22.

Perry has reiterated there are no plans to raise the current capacity of just under 7,000 via extra seats behind the west goal.

The club are inviting applications from new season ticket holders for the south stand wings, singing section and family area, with prices ranging from £210 to £380.