Albion's relentless pursuit of a new stadium at Falmer has now cost the club over £3 million and left them more than £1 million in the red for the year to June 2005.

The staggering sums are disclosed in the Seagulls' latest accounts. The pre-tax loss was £1,074,000, an increase of over £150,000 on the previous year.

The main reason for the inflated figure was further spending on the Falmer project of £517,000.

Turnover rose by £915,000 to £5,533,896 during Albion's first season back at Championship level.

Gate receipts were up by £300,000, primarily as a result of the third round FA Cup tie away to Spurs in January 2005.

Albion performed well in other areas. Sponsorship and advertising increased by more than £200,000 and shop sales by £132,000, thanks to a bumper Christmas and on-line ordering.

Turnover also received a £262,000 boost from fans via the 'Alive & Kicking' campaign, launched in October 2004.

On the debit side, staff costs rose by £365,000 due to a combination of wage increases for the players following promotion and the club employing around 200 part-time stewards and staff to take over the running of Withdean on match days.

The financial outlook for Albion is bleak on and off the pitch, both because of relegation and Lewes District Council's continuing opposition to Falmer.

Broadcast royalties for the year to June 2005 rose by £40,000 but the Seagulls' drop into League One next season will cost them more than £600,000 in TV revenue.

The cost of Falmer will also leap if Lewes District Council's challenge goes to court.