Notts County's crestfallen players, already relegated from the Second Division, would be well advised to seek counselling from Guy Butters when they visit Withdean on Saturday.

Albion's veteran centre half has been in the game long enough to appreciate you can be down one minute and up the next.

The last nine months for Butters, even in the context of a career fluctuating at regular intervals between success and failure, have been quite exceptional.

On August 1 last year, with the new season just over a week away, Butters' name found its way into the sports pages of two national tabloids for the cruellest of reasons.

So-called supporters, unimpressed by his contribution to the Seagulls in his first year following a free transfer from Gillingham, put him up for sale on an internet auction website, with a reserve price of £5.

The distasteful advert included spiteful references to Butters' persistent battle with the scales. The inference was that a well-paid old pro was not pulling his weight and taking the club for a ride.

Now this particular Guy is the Butt of jokes no more.

Before the kick-off on Saturday he could just be revealed as the supporters' player of the season.

Leon Knight's 26 goals may not even deny Butters an award which would round-off a remarkable resurrection and, according to manager Mark McGhee, act as "a lesson to fans."

McGhee said: "Players are what they are for reasons and it is often not always their own fault.

"Fortunately for Guy I knew from his time at Gillingham and Portsmouth what a good player he was.

"I had not seen the same player I knew, so I thought where is he? I knew that inside there was that player, so I've worked with him and he has, more than anything, worked himself to get himself back. All credit to him for that."

Butters had been in and out like a Hokey-cokey expert prior to McGhee's arrival.

Martin Hinshelwood, having missed out on Steve Brown, turned to Butters five matches into last season's ill-fated campaign in the First Division to add top flight experience to a defence lacking the retired Simon Morgan.

Struggling for fitness following an uncertain summer with Gillingham, the 34-year-old former Tottenham and Portsmouth stopper soon lost his place but was recalled for Steve Coppell's first match in charge against Sheffield United at Withdean after a succession of defeats plunged Albion to the foot of the table.

He did not feature again in the first team for ten months and ended the season on loan to Barnet in the Conference.

"When Coppell took over it was a bit unfortunate," Butters said. "He obviously wanted to get as many good results under his belt as soon as possible.

"He had a job to do. He had to try and keep us in the First Division as well. Virgs (Adam Virgo) played in that game as well against Sheffield United. We were all right up until 20 minutes to go.

"If we had won that game 2-0 who knows, we might have been playing more regularly. Unfortunately we lost 4-2 and he (Coppell) obviously felt he had to change things. We got stuffed 5-0 in the next game at Crystal Palace, so it doesn't always work.

"It was frustrating last year, coming in and not even travelling, four or five of us left behind to train with the youth teamers.

"But I have done that before with other managers. It's a case of getting your head down and getting on with it.

"When I went on loan to Barnet I felt pretty good. I was playing okay and felt good in myself, even though it was at a lower level.

"I knew I had a year left on my contract, but during the summer I didn't know what was happening really.

"Martin Allen (then Barnet manager) was enquiring about me, but unfortunately for Dean Blackwell he got injured. Once you get a chance you have to try to keep hold of it."

With Blackwell sidelined long-term by cruciate knee ligament damage, Butters still had to wait for another opportunity.

It came on August Bank Holiday Monday against Luton at Withdean after Danny Cullip had suffered an injury at Barnsley 48 hours earlier.

Butters has played in every match since including, uniquely, all 31 under McGhee. "Coppell didn't really have too much of an option," Butters said. "From what I can gather he didn't really think I could do it, but I played in a couple of games and he was surprised what I could do.

"I felt a lot fitter, even in pre-season games. The year before I was struggling a bit. This time I felt pretty good, I was keeping up with all the other lads.

"It has been a good turnaround. I was always confident in my ability. Last year I didn't have a good pre-season and when you get to my sort of age that is important.

"I've been chatting to the gaffer here now. When I was younger you came back for pre-season to get fit. Now you have got to be fit for pre-season.

"The game has changed a helluva lot since I first came into it. I've taken his advice on board."

Butters credits McGhee for extending his professional career. His two-year contract expires in the summer, but a fresh offer is already on the table.

"We haven't sat down and discussed anything yet, but he (McGhee) said he would like to keep me on for another year so I'm delighted with that, especially at my age," Butters revealed.

"I feel I have got another good season in me. This time last year I was talking otherwise, but the manager has come in and pointed me in the right direction fitness- wise and it has helped me a lot. I wish I had met him ten years before."