Brighton U-turn over tribute wall after fan anger

Brighton have apologised after plans to remove a tribute wall at Amex Stadium were criticised by fans.

The club announced plans to remove their Heritage Tile Wall, which contains more than 2,500 tiles paid for by fans, after saying it was "falling foul of time and weather conditions".

Brighton intended to replace it with a virtual 'Fan Wall' - which fans could upload a photo on to for £45 - to celebrate their 125th anniversary.

However, after a petition urging Brighton to reconsider passed 3,400 signatures, chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber said they would instead install a physical replacement.

"We are aware that the club's decision to find a new format to recreate and preserve the messages on the heritage tiles has caused distress to some fans and confusion for others. We are very sorry for this," Barber wrote in a letter to fans.

"We are fully aware that many tiles represent significant sentimental and emotional moments and connections in people's lives, hence our desire to protect and preserve the messages.

"In looking at all new options, we have listened very carefully to the heartfelt feedback we have received in the past few days and we will not merge the heritage messages with the new 125 wall as originally proposed."

Brighton aim to have the new installation in place during the 2026-27 season, and have said that all current messages on tiles will be transferred for free.

Barber said that nothing will happen to the existing wall until the end of the season.