That's exactly what Dean Wilkins had to do in the early part of this week and it was a poignant moment for many Brighton fans. Two longstanding Albion favourites, Kerry Mayo and Gary Hart, did not get new deals.

The duo, with over 20 years' active service between them, have witnessed many highs and lows playing in the blue and white stripes — Mayo actually represented the club at three different home grounds — and both have been worthy recipients of testimonial years.

I've enjoyed watching them play, working with them in the media, and have the privilege to now look upon them as friends. However, all good things must come to an end. If I wanted the Albion picked on sentiment every week, Hart and Mayo would be joined by Norman Gall in the back four, and John Keeley in goal.

I wish Kerry and Gary every success for the future. The same goes for Guy Butters and my Herald colleague Paul Reid, and, in fact, all the players released by Wilkins.

One surprising outcome on the retained list was the news that local goalkeeper John Sullivan was given a new contract, something both I and many Albion fans would have bet against last Saturday given the signs. Sully hadn't been given a chance in the first team all season, and he would probably admit that even he feared the worst.

But stranger things have happened and, given the new deal, he will get his chance at some point. Then it's up to him, and I'm sure he won't let anybody down.

But now, with a number of well-loved faces gone, the club must move forward.

Seventh place in League One was creditable but, given some of the needless points dropped, it's a prime time toiplay "If only". Then again, can't every set of supporters play that particular game?

Most supporters were merely looking on an improvement on last season's 17th place. Maybe what has gone on this year will be the ultimate springboard for a promotion challenge next year, and with such a drastic clear-out, Wilkins has the scope and available budget to bring in a number of new faces.

One cautionary note, however, is that the last wholesale clearout came with Micky Adams' arrival in 1999. The next year, the Albion started off well, before petering out into what can best be described as a "transitional season".

However, as all diehard Albion fans will remember, that was followed by back-to-back 2001 and 2002 championships.

Patience and a football supporter are not exactly like Sinatra's "Love and Marriage", and we'll have to wait and see when (football widows beware) it all starts again in earnest on Saturday, August 9. That's of course if you don't include pre-season friendlies . . .


THE start of the new cricket season hopefully heralds new beginnings all round, and, hopefully, both Broadwater and Findon will benefit from personnel changes in the close season.

All I hope now is that the situation is resolved, or as best it can be, and everyone gets back to enjoying the game of cricket, which ultimately is what it's all about.


ONE for older readers to mull over: it has been said that the 1970 World Cup Final between Brazil and Italy in Mexico City was a game between the greatest players on the planet at that time.

Being a mere five years old then, I can't really comment, but will this alleged assessment now be superseded by the Champions League Final in Moscow?

Are Manchester United and Chelsea now the best two teams in the world?

Tell me what you think. harty@tiscali.co.uk