Albion's operating losses soared over the £3 million mark for the year ending June 2008.

But the Falmer Stadium project moving closer to reality has enabled the Seagulls to announce a pre-tax profit of £877,014.

The club spent a further £2.618 million on Falmer, hiking the total since 1998 to £6.215 million.

The stadium costs have previously been written off in the accounts, because of the uncertainty over planning permission.

The planning approval won in July 2007 and work commencing on the stadium site has now allowed the costs to be included as an asset on the balance sheet.

Chief executive Martin Perry said: “The fact that we made a profit should not be allowed to disguise the big losses we suffer while at Withdean.

“These costs prevent us from moving the club forward. It means that the delivery of the stadium remains an absolute priority.

“The stadium is now fully underway and we are on programme for opening in August 2011.”

The profit figure in Albion's ninth season at Withdean was boosted by £429,000 from the sale of players.

Average home attendances in League One dropped by 127 to 5,702 and turnover by £100,000 to £4.1 million.

Staff costs rose by £200,000 to £3.9 million, due mainly to the setting up of a Falmer project office.

Chairman Dick Knight has paid tribute to major investor Tony Bloom for his financial support as the haemorrhaging continues at Withdean while the move to Falmer draws closer.

Knight said: The losses sustained through the many seasons at Withdean have always been contained by additional funding provided by directors and shareholders.

“Now, finally, the end is in sight. The board is very grateful in particular to Tony Bloom for the exceptional assistance he is providing.”