Welcome back Ian Hart. Prior to his last two columns in the Argus, I feared that the former Gulls Eye editor had been bought off by Dick Knight.

His writing had become rather tame concerning Falmer and it had crossed my mind that he was not writing the column anymore, it was Knight himself.

Picking up my Argus on February 14, I noticed that the sparkle was back in those wicked eyes of his. He asked the questions and raised the issues that the vast majority of us want to know, not just Liz Costa and her small band of supporters.

If Martin Perry doesn't like what Ian says it must surely be because he has not told us the truth about the Falmer situation. Perhaps Ian will one day be brave enough to write the words that everybody knows is true: "Falmer is never going to happen."

P. Tucker, Broadwater Way, Worthing.

BRUCE SAYS: The longer the club stays silent about what's happening at Falmer so the number of fans wondering if they will ever get there will increase.

Secret information I fully support Ian Hart's views on the Falmer issue and on a few high profile fans being made privy to information that is apparently denied to the rest of us.

Negotiations with the two universities seem to have been progressing for many months now with no positive news reported by either camp. We never seem to hear the views of the universities themselves and whether, in their opinion, an agreement is ever likely to be reached.

Without the funding a partnership with the universities would provide, there is little likelihood of a new stadium being constructed at Falmer or anywhere else for that matter, as the football club has little or no funds to contribute to the project. It is hardly surprising that more and more fans are becoming sceptical about the whole thing.

Finally, while I have no problem with the individuals concerned, I think it quite wrong that a few 'chosen' supporters are apparently invited to private meetings where they presumably acquire information that other season ticket holders, like myself, are denied.

As far as I am aware, they are not elected to pursue such a role and if there is more sensitive and confidential information available, surely it should be kept within the confines of the boardroom until it can be released into the public domain.

S.P. Beach, Hangleton, Hove.

BRUCE SAYS: Your last point is a good one. This 'confidential' information invariably leaks out and the facts can become distorted. The fewer people have access to sensitive information the better until it's ready to be released to all the fans.

Sound of silence Ian Hart's column in the Argus on February 14 only echoed the feelings of a growing number of Albion supporters.

The achievements on the playing side by the coaches and players are without criticism, but off the field of play are the club really 'out of the woods' yet?

Fans have only seen a computer image of a completed stadium at Falmer. They have seen no plans or model of the stadium that the public can view and express opinions about, and yet it seems to be absolutely written in stone that Albion are going nowhere but Falmer and almost without opposition to this proposed dream stadium.

Another thing that the fans are entitled to know is how long the council, even with a change of administration, are prepared to allow the club to use Withdean? I think the agreement is for one more season. In reality they could be at Withdean for years to come.

V. Giraldi, Sheridan Terrace, Hove.

BRUCE SAYS: Any sort of statement on the progress of the Falmer application or otherwise would be welcome.

Palace guard In response to Ian Hart's comments in his column in the Argus on February 14, I would like to point out to him that Crystal Palace supporters have been 'roaming' around Sussex for years.

I know of at least 40 of us who travel up every week from Albion strongholds such as Hove, Brighton, Portslade, Newhaven, Worthing, Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath.

I won't include Crawley as there are definitely more Palace fans than Brighton there. They all go to see a better class of football.

I suggest he checks to see who his next door neighbour is, you never know, he might be in for a surprise!

Simon Moll, Rutland Gardens, Hove.

BRUCE SAYS: I wonder how many Albion fans there are in Palace strongholds?

Nice one, Walts I am appalled by Liz Costa's recent remarks in the Argus regarding former Albion goalkeeper Mark Walton.

They were verging on inciting violence, published as they were just before the game with Cardiff City a couple of weeks ago.

She commented that Mark was miserable during his time with Brighton and that the club was better off without him. She considered him to be a good keeper, but he deserved all the stick he would get during the Cardiff City match.

As regards Mark's qualities as a keeper, each Brighton fan will have their own views and quite rightly can voice their opinions during the match.

However, as for Mark being miserable I can only suggest that Liz based her comments on something she had been told or judged while in Mark's company. If based on the former Liz must be extremely fickle to have taken someone else's comments as gospel and let herself be quoted in a newspaper.

Her remarks were totally uncalled for and at the same time inaccurate. Mark has rightly not got himself involved in a media row, but I am afraid I have not been able to bite my tongue.

Part of the reason for writing has been prompted by Dave John, manager of Hassocks Football Club, who also feels the comments are unnecessary. Dave has asked me to pass on his thanks to Mark from the club for the time and effort he put in, in his spare time, to assist with training and the support he gave to our club during his time in Sussex.

Liz: I hope no one ever asks you for a character reference because quite frankly your judgement is poor.

Adam Phelps, Hassocks Football Club.

BRUCE SAYS: Football is a game of opinions and Liz Costa is entitled to hers. But it's nice to hear of the help Mark gave to Hassocks during his Albion career.

Vintage writing How good does it get? Vintage Vinners gets better and better with last week's article on Bill Curry being the best yet. It brought so many memories flooding back.

He was the best centre forward we ever had and he had that touch of class. Not far behind was Willie Irvine who was very similar in style. Keep the nostalgia coming, John.

Any thoughts on producing a book of Vintage Vinners articles as a long term souvenir of the good old glory days?

A.C. Castley, Victoria Close, Midhurst.

BRUCE SAYS: Glad to hear Vintage Vinners is as popular as ever. Any thoughts from readers on any aspect of the paper are always welcome.