Kerry Mayo today pledged his future to relegated Albion, despite proving he is good enough for Division One.
The long-serving defender had "my best season in professional football" as the Seagulls lost their fight for First Division survival.
Axed early on, he finished as runner-up to captain Danny Cullip in the player of the season poll.
Mayo, still with two years remaining on his contract, has no intention of deserting to play at a higher level.
"I found Division One a lot easier than Division Two and Three," he said. "I felt more comfortable.
"I think I proved to myself and everyone else that I am capable of playing at Division One level.
"I am totally gutted that we went down, but it doesn't make me want to leave one little bit.
"The team spirit now is a lot better than five or six years ago, when we were selling the Goldstone, were really down in the dumps and not doing well in the third division."
Mayo lost his place in the team at the start of each of the last two seasons. Now the versatile leftback is determined the same thing won't happen again.
"Throughout the summer I've looked after myself more than in previous seasons," he said.
"I have been up near the front in running sessions since we returned to training and I am feeling fit and strong. I want to start the season the way I left off the last.
"We've all come back looking sharp in training and having some laughs. Last season was a minor blip and we will be going for promotion again."
Albion play their first pre-season friendly at County League Arundel on Wednesday, July 16 (7.45pm).
Crisis club Oldham, Albion's opening day opponents at Boundary Park on August 9, have sold England under 20 fullback Chris Armstrong to Sheffield United for £100,000.
The long-serving defender had "my best season in professional football" as the Seagulls lost their fight for First Division survival.
Axed early on, he finished as runner-up to captain Danny Cullip in the player of the season poll.
Mayo, still with two years remaining on his contract, has no intention of deserting to play at a higher level.
"I found Division One a lot easier than Division Two and Three," he said. "I felt more comfortable.
"I think I proved to myself and everyone else that I am capable of playing at Division One level.
"I am totally gutted that we went down, but it doesn't make me want to leave one little bit.
"The team spirit now is a lot better than five or six years ago, when we were selling the Goldstone, were really down in the dumps and not doing well in the third division."
Mayo lost his place in the team at the start of each of the last two seasons. Now the versatile leftback is determined the same thing won't happen again.
"Throughout the summer I've looked after myself more than in previous seasons," he said.
"I have been up near the front in running sessions since we returned to training and I am feeling fit and strong. I want to start the season the way I left off the last.
"We've all come back looking sharp in training and having some laughs. Last season was a minor blip and we will be going for promotion again."
Albion play their first pre-season friendly at County League Arundel on Wednesday, July 16 (7.45pm).
Crisis club Oldham, Albion's opening day opponents at Boundary Park on August 9, have sold England under 20 fullback Chris Armstrong to Sheffield United for £100,000.
