Albion fans are being urged to stay away from the next away match, by the Seagulls' official Supporters' Club.

They are boycotting the clash against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park on Saturday week in protest at the Dons' decision to move to Milton Keynes.

Supporters' Club chairman Tim Carder said: "We know only too well what it's like to have our football club uprooted from its community. If this move is allowed to happen it would mark the start of football franchising, which would be the most insidious policy ever introduced into the game in this country.

"Wimbledon should be based in Merton, their home borough. Playing at Selhurst Park is a nonsense, but moving 50 miles will destroy a 113-year-old football club. It's Wimbledon today but which club is next? That's why we must make a stand.

"Of course we don't want to let the Albion team down, but very occasionally you just have to stand up and say 'No'. That's what thousands of supporters of other clubs did for us at Fans United in 1997."

Wimbledon's own supporters are staying away from matches and have started a new club, AFC Wimbledon, in the Combined Counties League.

Just 668 of them crossed the 'picket line' to cries of scab for last Saturday's opening 1-0 home defeat by Gillingham.

Liz Costa, vice-chairman of Albion's Supporters' Club, said: "The Wimbledon fans and our own members have asked us to promote this boycott and we will not be providing transport to a match for the first time in many years.

"We know that boycotting a game is a difficult thing to ask and we recognise that each individual must make their own decision.

"If fans feel they must to go to Selhurst Park then we would encourage them to demonstrate vociferously but peacefully against the Wimbledon Board."