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."