Forty Note Fund trustee Mike Middleton has welcomed the decision to spend most of the money raised on Albion's emergency goalkeeper.

A cheque for £15,000 from the Fund is being handed over to the cash-strapped Seagullls.

They are putting the money towards the wages of Ben Roberts, signed on a month's loan from Charlton as cover for the injured Michel Kuipers.

Councillor Middleton said: "They approached us and we had discussions with them. We agreed with them we needed a goalkeeper.

"The money would still be there if they hadn't had to bring Ben Roberts in, but the request was there. He is a Premiership goalkeeper and they cost.

"We have asked people who have nothing to do with the Fund and the consensus was it's a good way to spend some of the money.

"The idea of it was to help Steve Coppell keep us in the First Division and I think it is essential we have a decent goalkeeper."

Fans have raised almost £22,000 since the Fund, mooted by The Argus columnist Ian Hart, was launched in November.

"We have still got money in the coffers," said Middleton. "We have got a dog night on February 13 and a concert on February 28, so we are still raising money.

"It's a shame Steve Sidwell went. I think we would have been asked to help with his wages."

Coppell is sweating on injury-plagued Roberts and Charlton's other two goalkeepers staying fit after Albion's young understudy Will Packham suffered a recurrence of thumb damage in training yesterday.

"It's a vulnerable position because Ben is on instant recall," said Coppell. "If Charlton have an injury on a Friday they can call Ben back.

"I am sure Will could play a game if he had to. We are just being ultra-cautious with his saving work in training. It just shows how thinly stretched we are on occasions."