John Humphrey is so mild-mannered and calm it is easy to understand how he helped steady the Albion ship when it was in danger of being wrecked on the rocks.

But the defender has revealed how miffed he was that his reward for helping the Seagulls achieve league safety five years ago was to be shown the door because of budget cuts imposed by then chief executive David Bellotti.

Humphrey was 36 when he was recruited from Gillingham by manager Steve Gritt with Albion bottom of Division Three. He proved to be a lucky mascot as they only lost three of his 11 games to complete the escape act.

But the fullback insists the Seagulls attempted to break an agreement by trying to release him.

He said: "I was annoyed at the club and, at first, Steve Gritt. I had agreed a verbal contract with Steve to play to the end of the season on the understanding that I would expect a year's extension if I helped keep the club in the league.

"I came because I knew Steve, we had a connection with Charlton. I was glad to leave Gillingham even though it meant dropping a division because I didn't get on with their manager at the time Tony Pulis and it was a new challenge.

"Steve wanted me because I was experienced, could get the players organised and was able to talk them through matches. He knew I was steady, reliable and dependable, that nine games out of ten I'd play pretty well and that I would give 100 per cent.

"It was a lot of pressure but I'd been through a few promotions (three) and relegations (six) with Wolves, Charlton and Crystal Palace.

"The stressful situations I had gone through with those other clubs had given me experience of how to try and keep a season alive.

"I could do a job for Brighton and I felt I did that and the team turned out to be good enough to hang on. It was one of the biggest achievements of my career.

"So when I was told I was being released I thought it was a pretty poor show. But Steve, to his credit, then fought my corner and I stayed on."

Humphrey eventually departed with a clutch of senior professionals, who also included Craig Maskell and Ian Baird, the following season.

"We were offered a package in January. The club felt they needed a big clearout because he couldn't afford us. I accepted it and called it a day on my professional playing career."

He moved into non-league for two years.

"I played for Chesham in the Ryman League premier division at first but found the travelling too much. I then went around more local clubs to me like Carshalton, Dulwich Hamlet and Walton and Hersham.

"Having come from the professional ranks to semi-pro it was difficult to adjust to the different standards like some of the attitudes of players to training for instance. Also I found the training itself wasn't that enjoyable.

"I remember at Walton and Hersham turning up for a session, but we weren't allowed on the pitch and had to do a road run.

"That was frustrating and I begun to think that maybe there were other things in life than just playing football.

"So, at 39, after more than 600 appearances, three Charlton player of the year awards and my promotions and relegations, I stopped.

"I miss playing full time a bit but I turn out for a Charlton Vets team and we've been abroad to Spain and Italy with players like Paul Walsh, Colin Walsh, Bob Bolder and Alan Curbishley. That's fun.

"But I've got a lot to be thankful for because I was very lucky with injuries. I had a good innings."

Humphrey still needed to work again after a 20-year career in one of the most fickle of industries and phoned up former Albion defender Colin Pates, who also managed Crawley, for advice.

It led to a job on the sports staff at the prestigious Whitgift School in Croydon.

"I wasn't sure what to do, maybe something to do with health and fitness because I look after myself. It's jacket potato and salads for tea for me.

"I knew Colin from Charlton when we roomed together. I was aware he was at the school and he said he needed help for after-school sessions and asked me to come along.

"So I did and the football took off at the school and I got involved in other sports like rugby and basketball and got a full-time job there.

"I'm now on a course to be a PE teacher, paid for by the school, and I want to keep the job for another 20 to 25 years. Security is one thing you can struggle to find in professional football."

Humphrey still maintains his link with the pro gramme, acting as a matchday hospitality host at Charlton and coaching the Premiership club's under-15 team following a coaching stint at Queens Park Rangers.

"I deal with privileged kids at Whitgift who may go on to be doctors, lawyers or solicitors while at Charlton the kids usually aren't so privileged. To a lot of them football is a way of making something of themselves. It gives me a great buzz when one of the Charlton youngsters makes positive progress.

"Life is busy, but it's good."

His hectic schedule leaves him unable to watch Albion, but he still follows their results.

"I'd love to see them promoted. They've turned things round well and I'm delighted," he added.

He looks back fondly on his time playing the survival game on the south coast.

"They have great fans and the Goldstone was always packed for the home games. You couldn't help but be lifted by the crowd. The team couldn't win away, but managed to win at home. So one win every two games was decent and led to that eventful day at Hereford."

That was the final day of the 1996-97 season when a 1-1 draw saved Albion's league status and their opponents were consigned to non-league.

"The pressure was horrible, particularly leading up to the game with the media focussing on it so much. In a way the game was a relief for both sides because at least at the end of it they knew their fates.

"Steve did a magnificent job for Brighton. He was a good coach and a good manager and is now doing well with Millwall. "It might have been going out of the frying pan of Gillingham into the fire at Albion but I'm glad I made the jump."