Paul Barber outlines Amex Heritage Wall plan and apologises to fans | OneFootball

Paul Barber has apologised for distress caused by Brighton’s plan to replace the Amex Heritage Wall, and set out revised next steps.

The club’s chief executive and deputy chairman said in a statement that the heritage messages will not be merged with the new 125 wall, and that a more tangible, tactile format than a digital display will be developed to honour the originals.

Weather damage has left many stones cracked, brittle or with inscriptions lost, and maintenance has not withstood the elements. The club considered repairs, re-siting and coverings, but believed the same issues would persist, prompting the change.

The club holds no purchaser records for tiles sold in the Amex’s early years because a third party handled sales, with only records from January 2023 available. This has made direct contact difficult and communication impersonal.

The new installation will not reproduce the same clay tiles or occupy the same exposed location, but it will aim to be sympathetic to the current layout and remain accessible around the stadium. The club will aim to have it in place as early as possible in the 2026/27 season. Some fans are facing a second repositioning, after early floor stones lasted only a couple of seasons, so quality and longevity are priorities.

Designs will be shared on the website once a solution is finalised, and all current messages will be transferred free of charge. The new installation will be maintained and available for supporters on matchdays and between matches.

Nothing will change on site until the end of this season, allowing families time to visit and photograph their tiles. The club will try to limit further degradation in the meantime.

Source: TheArgus.co.uk