Kerry Mayo appreciation thread

[Ninja Elephant]

Does no-one remember him being the Club's top scorer in 1997/98

Joint top with Jeff Minton, with 6! He was a central midfielder then, memories!

Kerry Mayo, Brighton legend. Shame to see him leave, but no suprise. I will be keeping an eye on where he ends up going, good luck to the man.

 

[Pavilionaire]

A sad day in many respects. Kerry's had his moments and will be remembered for being that link between the Goldstone and the present pre-Falmer era.

It will be interesting to see what he can achieve in a lower league playing week in, week out. The likes of Bournemouth could do a lot worse.

 

[GT49er]

Right decision, albeit a sad one. Mayo's been a good servant to our club, but like al old footballers, there comes a day.........................

 

[El Presidente]

Firstly you do not know me secondly I am not a frequent poster on touchy subjects. No one has ever called me anything before and just that I post something you do not like you abuse me.

The point I was making is here is someone who has been at the club a long time who has never really made the grade imho and who has most probably taken wages in excess of £500 000 in that period. He has not technically lost his job but his contract has run its course.

As has been mentioned on many threads today do not forget this squad of players narrowly missed relegation to the lowest division and its good to see a new broom sweeping away the under achievers. Sentiment plays no part in a successful sporting teams. This club has acted like a charity to some players and that is not healthy or to the betterment of the club.

I truly hope all those going find alternative employment but life goes on. I'm sorry if I've offended.

Fair point, but what I don't understand is why people come on a thread called 'Kerry Mayo appreciation thread', and say things such as he played 399 too many games for the club.

This season didn't work out for him, and that's a shame, but to say he was rubbish throughout his whole career is not only harsh, but a very poor assessment of his contribution as a player over 14 seasons. He was good enough to be picked by Case, Gritt, Wood, Horton, Adams, Taylor, Hinshelwood, Coppell, McGhee and Wilkins. He could have gone to Blackpool a couple of seasons ago, but decided to fight for his place.

If someone is leaving work who you don't particularly like, would you say 'Good riddance you talentless twat' on his/her leaving card? It's the vitriol and hate towards someone who has done nothing to you that I don't understand.

 

[Seagullible]

Goo dLuck Kerry, thanks for the years of great service

 

[dunno]

Good luck Kerry

 

[Brighton till i die]

All the best fella..... "2 Kerry Mayo's....there's only...."

 

[bathseagull]

All the best to you Kerry and thanks for everything.
A Brighton legend.

 

[sully]

Farewell the Ginger Prince.

And thanks for all the great memories.

Hope whatever you do in the future you find fulfilling.

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

mayo had one good season in the championship and got lucky on some "cosy" contracts , and now lives at home with his mum

 

[RM-Taylor]

I can see him joining Havant with Charlie and Tank

 

[Storer68]

We did this last year.

He should never have then been allowed to play the old pals act.

I'll finally believe The Ginger Slug has gone for good when there's been no reports of him sniffing around the training ground and being 'invited to train' over the Summer.

Sorry, but Mayo should just f*** off. FOREVER.

As opposed to Steve Coppell (who has dealt with a few decent players in his time).....

Thanks Kerry for your terrifficc BHA career. It was a privilege to watch you

Coppell praises stalwart Mayo
From the archive, first published Thursday 11th Sep 2003.

Albion boss Steve Coppell has hailed loyal servant Kerry Mayo as one of the best left backs in the Football League.

The Seagulls' great survivor makes his 250th League appearance for his solitary club at Colchester on Saturday.

It puts Mayo 24th on the all-time list, above the likes of Brian Horton and John Napier.

Ian Chapman and Brian Powney are the only Sussex-born players to have played more League games for Albion.

Coppell said: "The only loyalty in football now is between a supporter and his club.

"I suppose the extension of that is a supporter who is a player at this club and that's what we have got with Kerry. He is just 100 per cent Albion.

"I certainly don't think there is any better leftback in this division and I would hasten a guess that he would be one of the best in the next division as well if he had as much faith in himself as I have in him.

"He is not an outgoing bloke. He's a little bit introverted but I just think he is quality and non-stop.
"I am one of those sort of old school managers. I like players who are going to play 40-odd games a year for me and I know Kerry is going to do that.

"It's not as if you are going to get 20 games out of him and he is going to be injured. He is going to be there or thereabouts all the time.

"I would play him anywhere. I know I would get a value for money performance out of him. He is just a great fella to have in your squad."
Mayo has played under eight different Albion managers at three different home grounds, not bad for a player initially awarded only a six-month contract when he turned pro.

The Cuckfield-born stalwart, fondly referred to as the 'Ginger Prince' by fans, has come a long way since making his debut in Jimmy Case's penultimate home match in charge, a defeat by Carlisle in November 1996.

"I didn't realise I was coming up to 250 but that is some achievement," said Mayo.

"It doesn't happen that often these days. There are a lot more transfers flying about, but I'm just happy to be playing my football for Albion.

"It makes me feel proud. After this one then I will look to the next milestone, 300.

"As long as I am enjoying my football and playing well then I will just keep on going."

Mayo has suffered a few setbacks along the winding path to Saturday's landmark appearance.

He has been dropped at various stages of his career and there was, of course, that potentially disastrous own goal in the relegation decider at Hereford in his first season in the first team.

We can only guess at what would have happened to Mayo without the second half equaliser from Robbie Reinelt which kept Albion in the League, but you suspect his resolve would have seen him through.

"I can't remember anyone ever telling me I wouldn't make it," he said. "There were never any doubts put into my head and if there were I would block them out anyway.

"I was always thinking positively. I always put 100 per cent into training, as well as games, and it has obviously paid off. I have never really felt like leaving. At times I have been left out and it has been put down to different things by the manager in charge at the time.

"All I've done is just got my head down, got on with it, worked hard and got myself back into the side."

Mayo's knack of bouncing back was demonstrated last season after he was axed early on by Martin Hinshelwood.

Although Albion were relegated from the First Division, the campaign became something of a personal triumph for him.

He ended it as runner-up to captain Danny Cullip in the supporters' player of the season poll, emphasising his versatility in the process by operating also as a left wingback and centre half.

Mayo, still only 25, has not missed a match during Coppell's 11 months in charge.

Now he wants to mark his 46th successive appearance with a victory at Layer Road after back-to-back draws.

"I just hope I can carry my form on from last season and the early part of this season," he said.

"The players know we haven't hit top form yet. I don't know why that is, but we will keep trying to do the right things and hopefully it will turn around soon.

"Although we haven't been playing too well we have picked up points and got a good start under our belts.

"If we can start playing well and picking up three points, rather than draws, it will be even better."

Archive Home

From the archive
The Argus - Brighton Hove Fringe
© Newsquest Media Group 2003

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Well posted Storer68 my old fruit.

Stick that in the proverbial and smoke it.

I love this: "I didn't realise I was coming up to 250 but that is some achievement," said Mayo.
"It doesn't happen that often these days. There are a lot more transfers flying about, but I'm just happy to be playing my football for Albion.

And which one of us would not love to have been in a position to write that. All those games. For the Albion.

 

[Lindfield by the Pond]

Cuckfield's Finest. Thanks Kerry. Diamond geezer.

 

[dougdeep]

Good luck Kerry, I hope you prove a lot of people on here wrong.

 

[ewe2]

As opposed to Steve Coppell (who has dealt with a few decent players in his time).....

Thanks Kerry for your terrifficc BHA career. It was a privilege to watch you

Coppell praises stalwart Mayo
From the archive, first published Thursday 11th Sep 2003.

Albion boss Steve Coppell has hailed loyal servant Kerry Mayo as one of the best left backs in the Football League.

The Seagulls' great survivor makes his 250th League appearance for his solitary club at Colchester on Saturday.

It puts Mayo 24th on the all-time list, above the likes of Brian Horton and John Napier.

Ian Chapman and Brian Powney are the only Sussex-born players to have played more League games for Albion.

Coppell said: "The only loyalty in football now is between a supporter and his club.

"I suppose the extension of that is a supporter who is a player at this club and that's what we have got with Kerry. He is just 100 per cent Albion.

"I certainly don't think there is any better leftback in this division and I would hasten a guess that he would be one of the best in the next division as well if he had as much faith in himself as I have in him.

"He is not an outgoing bloke. He's a little bit introverted but I just think he is quality and non-stop.
"I am one of those sort of old school managers. I like players who are going to play 40-odd games a year for me and I know Kerry is going to do that.

"It's not as if you are going to get 20 games out of him and he is going to be injured. He is going to be there or thereabouts all the time.

"I would play him anywhere. I know I would get a value for money performance out of him. He is just a great fella to have in your squad."
Mayo has played under eight different Albion managers at three different home grounds, not bad for a player initially awarded only a six-month contract when he turned pro.

The Cuckfield-born stalwart, fondly referred to as the 'Ginger Prince' by fans, has come a long way since making his debut in Jimmy Case's penultimate home match in charge, a defeat by Carlisle in November 1996.

"I didn't realise I was coming up to 250 but that is some achievement," said Mayo.

"It doesn't happen that often these days. There are a lot more transfers flying about, but I'm just happy to be playing my football for Albion.

"It makes me feel proud. After this one then I will look to the next milestone, 300.

"As long as I am enjoying my football and playing well then I will just keep on going."

Mayo has suffered a few setbacks along the winding path to Saturday's landmark appearance.

He has been dropped at various stages of his career and there was, of course, that potentially disastrous own goal in the relegation decider at Hereford in his first season in the first team.

We can only guess at what would have happened to Mayo without the second half equaliser from Robbie Reinelt which kept Albion in the League, but you suspect his resolve would have seen him through.

"I can't remember anyone ever telling me I wouldn't make it," he said. "There were never any doubts put into my head and if there were I would block them out anyway.

"I was always thinking positively. I always put 100 per cent into training, as well as games, and it has obviously paid off. I have never really felt like leaving. At times I have been left out and it has been put down to different things by the manager in charge at the time.

"All I've done is just got my head down, got on with it, worked hard and got myself back into the side."

Mayo's knack of bouncing back was demonstrated last season after he was axed early on by Martin Hinshelwood.

Although Albion were relegated from the First Division, the campaign became something of a personal triumph for him.

He ended it as runner-up to captain Danny Cullip in the supporters' player of the season poll, emphasising his versatility in the process by operating also as a left wingback and centre half.

Mayo, still only 25, has not missed a match during Coppell's 11 months in charge.

Now he wants to mark his 46th successive appearance with a victory at Layer Road after back-to-back draws.

"I just hope I can carry my form on from last season and the early part of this season," he said.

"The players know we haven't hit top form yet. I don't know why that is, but we will keep trying to do the right things and hopefully it will turn around soon.

"Although we haven't been playing too well we have picked up points and got a good start under our belts.

"If we can start playing well and picking up three points, rather than draws, it will be even better."

Archive Home

From the archive
The Argus - Brighton Hove Fringe
© Newsquest Media Group 2003

says it all !

 

[Pretty pink fairy]

Good luck Kerry, I hope you prove a lot of people on here wrong.

 

[Yorkshire-Seagull]

My favourite player. My first away game was against Notts County, where he scored twice in a 2-2 draw.

True legend for the club.

 

[Basil Fawlty]

Thank you Kerry, it has been a priviledge and a honor watching you in the Blue and White stripes for nearly 14 years. You'll be sadly missed thanks for the memories.