MORE than 100 angry Brighton fans invaded a peaceful East Lancashire village to protest outside the home of their club's chairman.

Furious 'Seagulls' fans set up in Mellor on Saturday evening to demonstrate outside Bill Archer's Whinney Lane home.

But the group came in peace and, despite a couple of fans' attempts to storm his luxury farmhouse, the protest ended calmly.

They swooped on the village after watching their team lose 1-0 to Wigan.

Fans gathered in the Traders Arms in Mellor Lane before marching through the village chanting "Archer out" and carrying a huge banner "Homeless Broke - the Board's a Joke".

But although tempers were running high, the crowd contented themselves with dumping an effigy of Archer outside his home and delivering a damning letter to his empty house.

Burnley fan Tony Miller was there to give his support. He said: "I can understand why they are doing this and I would do the same for Burnley. True supporters will always fight for their club."

The protest was the latest effort in a long campaign to force Archer to quit the club.

Followers of troubled Brighton and Hove Albion are angry at the decision of Archer and chief executive David Bellotti to sell off the Goldstone Ground.

Earlier, Bellotti had been forced to leave the Wigan match because of unrest among the fans.

Despite a strong police presence, Focus DIY boss Archer was not thought to be at home to hear the angry chants.

The group was led by professional poet John Baine who urged the fans to keep the protest peaceful.

He said: "This situation is absolutely intolerable, which is why we have come here today.

"We aren't just protesting to Archer, we also wanted to let the people of Mellor know what is going on.

"This man has never had any connection with our club and he bought his shares for £56.25 so he hasn't invested anything in it."

He also called for football fans to boycott Focus stores.

Furious Tony Boyden, 21, was the first to try to reach Archer's house but was turned away by the police.

He said: "I have been a fan since I was six and I can't stand to see him ripping us off like this."

Staunch supporter Graham Talbot, 49, has watched every single Brighton match since 1970 and is hopeful that Archer will cave in and quit.

He said: "I think bringing this protest to his front door will really get to him."

The protest may not be the last Mellor will see of the fans. They promised to return.

Mr Archer has been unavailable for comment.

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