Norman Cook has forked out £500,000 to become one of Brighton and Hove Albion's leading shareholders.

Seagulls fan Norman, better known as DJ Fatboy Slim, now has 11 per cent of the shares in Albion's holding company.

London-based Billy Brown, a multi-millionaire reinsurance specialist and Albion season ticket holder, has also pumped in £500,000 for an 11 per cent shareholding - but neither wants a seat on the board.

The involvement of Norman and Mr Brown forms part of a £4.5 million restructuring of the shares since the buy-out of former chairman Bill Archer in February.

Mr Archer, who had loans in the club totalling about £1.4 million, accepted a £700,000 pay-off in May.

Current chairman Dick Knight is the biggest single shareholder under the new arrangement.

He has 30 per cent for an investment of more than £1.36 million.

Like Norman and Mr Brown, directors Ray Bloom, Kevin Griffiths and the recently-appointed Chris Kidger each have 11 per cent of the shares for their £500,000.

Mr Kidger, owner of the Hickstead-based Friday Ad, joined the board in May.

Director Derek Chapman has eight per cent of the shares for a contribution of £350,000.

The remaining seven per cent is divided between finance director Bob Pinnock who contributed £120,000 and three un-named new investors who have paid a total of £200,000.

Mr Pinnock said: "We have all turned our loans into shares, which means we cannot withdraw them any more. The money is now capital in the business.

"Being able to repay Bill Archer enabled us to commit our investments into the club in a much more long-term way. We all felt strongly about making our commitment permanent."

Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of Dick Knight's takeover.

Since he seized control, Albion have won consecutive championships to reach the First Division.

They have also slashed their losses and hope to move into a new stadium at Falmer by 2006.

All the latest on the Seagulls at thisisthealbion.co.uk