Fans disappointed, but not shocked

Many felt the move was inevitable because of the manager's refusal to sign a contract with the club.

Taylor announced he was leaving yesterday afternoon, six months after joining the club.

He blamed a shortage of cash for developing his Division Two championship side.

Taylor, who was involved in an angry fracas with a photographer as he left the Albion's Falmer training ground for the last time, said: "I had plans ready for what I would do next season.

"But the budget offered was not enough for me to carry out those plans.

"I wanted to bring new players to the club.

"There are also players there who deserve new contracts as a reward.

"I understand why I didn't get what I asked for. It's nobody's fault."

Chairman Dick Knight said the board was disappointed Taylor did not want to continue at the Albion but it was ready for the challenge of finding a new manager.

But some fans were unhappy with the timing of the announcement, which came just two days after thousands of people gathered in the city to mark the club's historic two successive championships.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Ken Bodfish was booed at Saturday's celebrations by fans chanting "We want Falmer".

When he heard the news of Taylor's departure, he said: "It is clearly disappointing news, though not wholly unexpected.

"He has done a great job this year picking up from where Micky Adams left off. But Albion are on the up.

"The team are strong and I am confident the club will find a quality manager to continue this year's success."

Paul Samrah, chairman of the Falmer for All campaign, said Taylor's departure would make no difference to the club.

He said: "We wish him all the very best but we have to move on.

"As far as we are concerned we are one manager closer to Falmer.

"If he didn't want to stay we don't want to have him.

"It would have been nice if he had said a few words to the fans on Saturday and express his gratitude to the Albion but he didn't say anything.

"I would like to think we haven't been used as a stepping stone by him but we most probably have. But it makes no difference to us.

"We will continue with our campaign regardless.

"Peter Taylor won't be leading Albion out at the new Falmer stadium in a few years time but the club is still going to be there."

Albion fan and The Argus columnist Ian Hart said the club would go on without Taylor.

He said: "Managers come and go and I would like to thank him for all he has done.

"The only thing you can guarantee with a manager is that he will leave or he will be sacked.

"Managers, players and directors come and go all the time. The only thing that runs constantly right through this are the fans.

"If the fans suddenly decide to leave Brighton then the club would really have something to worry about."

Norman Cook's Skint Records, which sponsors the Albion, was also disappointed by the news but said managers were like buses and another would be along soon.

Hove MP and keen Albion fan Ivor Caplin said he was sure the Albion would find a worthy successor.

He said: "It is always disappointing for fans when a successful manager leaves but it has happened before and the club has bounced back."

"The timing of this means it gives the club the opportunity to find someone and work with the team during the summer so they are ready for the new season.

"This, along with the prospect of planning permission for the new stadium, which we hope will be sorted out soon, means it is a very exciting time for the Albion.

"The club is going from strength to strength and I am sure the new manager will help it develop even further."

Fan Andy Fellowes, from Brighton, said the continuing uncertainty about the stadium made things difficult for any manager.

He said: "This has been something successive managers have been going on about for the past few years and I suppose Taylor is just not prepared to hang around and wait for things to happen.

"It's a pity as he was doing well but these things happen and you have to put things in perspective."

Ian Roberts, from Hove, said: "Adams was the one who originally created this successful team and Taylor came along and inherited it.

"The new manager will have to keep a good thing going and the team is so strong."

Former council leader and Albion fan Lord Bassam said he was shocked and surprised when he heard of Taylor's departure.

He said: "He has done an excellent job in taking the club forward and I had hoped he might consider staying on longer.

"There has been speculation that he was unhappy about what was happening with the Falmer stadium but, after the hard work of the club, the council and communities, I am confident the application will be given the go-ahead when it is discussed in June.

"The club is currently on a high and I am sure it will attract the interest of high-calibre managers.

"It is a shame he has gone, especially so soon after the celebrations at the weekend, but I am sure the club will appoint someone who will be able to take them on to even greater success."

Richard Horton is one of a group of Albion supporters who formed the group Fans of the Earth to raise awareness of green issues.

He said: "I am really disappointed. I feel as if the club has been used to help Taylor get his career back on track.

"We gave him a chance when Leicester booted him out and now he has gone off again. It is very unsettling for everyone.

"I was concerned when he wouldn't sign a contract and kept on making complaints about facilities.

"I felt he was creating as many obstacles as he could. I don't like his timing either.

"There were thousands of people cheering him at the weekend and now many of them will be disappointed with him.

"Let's put it this way - I've just taken him off my Christmas card list."