Season-high Amex crowd asked to bring unwanted clothes

Seagulls fans are expected to pack the Amex tomorrow (Saturday) for the visit of Fulham, with the Albion anticipating the highest gate of the season so far.

More than 28,000 tickets have been sold so far for the Championship fixture '“ a figure likely to be boosted further by the prospect of seeing new loan signing Darren Bent's Albion debut.

Tickets are still available and fans with a purchasing record with the Albion will be able to buy them on the day, although the club is urging fans to buy them in advance.

And the Seagulls are hopeful that the bumper crowd will provide a pre-Christmas boost to one of their charity partners.

Earlier this year the Albion announced an official link with Off the Fence, a charity which helps homeless people in Brighton and Hove.

Volunteers from the charity will be at the Amex on Saturday collecting donations and Albion fans are being asked to bring along any unwanted clothing as part of the club and Off the Fence's Don't Dump It, Donate It campaign.

With winter rapidly approaching, the charity is drawing attention to the hundreds of homeless people in Brighton and Hove who spend night after night in freezing temperatures.

And there will be collection bins outside the Amex tomorrow for fans to drop off unwanted clothes which can then be handed to local homeless people.

Sam Baldock, Brighton's centre forward, is among those at the Albion to show their support for the campaign.

He said: 'The majority of us will come to the game on Saturday, be it playing or watching, and then afterwards go back to our warm homes with the comfort of our family and loved ones, but there are plenty of people who don't have that option. 'It must be awful to be sleeping on the streets with nowhere to go for refuge, but to make matters even worse, the falling temperatures during the winter months must be unbearable.

'An extra layer or two could really make a difference to someone who has no shelter, and can not only help keep them warmer but could potentially save their lives, so I urge all Albion fans coming to the Fulham match to give whatever they can for this really important cause.'

Albion fans can also show their support for Off the Fence by sponsoring former defender Guy Butters, after he spent a night sleeping rough to raise funds and awareness of Off the Fence's work. Donate online at: www.justgiving.com/Guysbigsleepout.