SOCCER legend Tommy Docherty is backing Brighton and Hove Albion's vision of a community sports stadium at Falmer.

The former Manchester United manager will be the star speaker at a gala dinner in aid of Albion's Year For Youth fund.

Seagulls supporters joined forces with the club to set up the fund, which helps Albion's young players and fans.

Docherty said: "The young players are the future of the club and the new stadium would be a great incentive for them.

"You just have to look back when Jimmy Melia and Alan Mullery were there and they were getting crowds of 28,000 to 30,000."

He added: "It's very important for any town to have a successful and attractive football club.

"People who support the club go to work on a Monday morning happy and full of the joys of spring if they've won. It increases the output at work when they win."

The Year For Youth fund has already been used to buy sweat-tops for young players at the club's Centres of Excellence.

Cash has also been used to take them to a match at Gillingham. A future aim is to buy tracksuits and kit bags.

About £1,500 was raised for the fund at a five-a-side competition at Portslade Leisure Centre last week.

Entertainer Mike Pugh will also appear at the dinner at Hove Town Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday, May 11.

Tickets at £25 each or a table of ten for £250 are available from Sally Townsend at the club offices, 118 Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XG, or on 01273 778855.

Cheques should be made payable to Brighton and Hove Albion FC. Donations to Albion's Year For Youth can be made to account 0440660, sort code 30-96-83.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.