Thousands of Albion supporters will be behind the club today as it starts a battle to build a community stadium at Falmer.

The club has strong backing, including Brighton and Hove City Council and sports presenter Des Lynam, at the public inquiry in Hove.

But no one should run away with the idea all this support means the result is a foregone conclusion.

Those against the Falmer stadium, ranging from conservation organisations to Falmer parish council, will muster a formidable case.

The reason they can do it is that Falmer is not an ideal site. It is near the village and it is close to the Downs, which will soon become part of a national park.

But Albion have looked at dozens of sites in and around the city, which all have far greater disadvantages or are simply unavailable.

Falmer is easily the best of the bunch and there are compelling reasons for building it there.

The site has good access from many parts of Sussex and the stadium will be used, not only by Albion, but the whole community.

It will provide hundreds of jobs, many of which can be linked into the successful new technology centres evolving at both universities.

Most of all, it will be the making of Albion. The club has done well to survive and even prosper at its temporary Withdean home. Its long-term success can only be assured at a purpose-built stadium.