For Kerry Mayo it is a time to embrace the past and look forward to the future.

The visits to Withdean of Doncaster tomorrow and Reading in the summer will each, in their own way, be special occasions for the Albion stalwart.

Doncaster are back in the city for the first time since they were the Seagulls' opponents for the final game at the Goldstone almost a decade ago.

The Rovers' return coincides with confirmation this week that Reading are coming to Withdean for a pre-season friendly designated as Mayo's testimonial match.

Mayo was playing in the centre of midfield on that unforgettable day in 1997 when Stuart Storer's goal kept alive Albion's hopes of a miraculous escape from relegation out of the Football League.

The Houdini act was duly completed, despite Mayo's own goal, at Hereford a week later.

The venue is different tomorrow but the memories will come flooding back when Mayo puts his kit on.

The Albion players are wearing special one-off shirts, based on the 1997 design, for Retro Day'.

They are also swapping to blue shorts, the colour worn against Rovers in that dramatic Goldstone farewell.

The warm sunshine at the training ground yesterday was quite a contrast to the crying sky on that April afternoon ten years ago as Mayo took a trip down memory lane.

"I remember the atmosphere was fantastic," he said. "There was a lot of pressure and when Stuart Storer scored the whole place just went wild.

"There was the factor of us moving away from Brighton and the other factor that it was a must-win game, with the main priority of staying in the Football League.

"Looking back now we wish we still had the Goldstone but we have moved on from that. We've had some good times since being back in Brighton at Withdean."

Mayo, like some fans who to this day refuse to shop at the retail park on the Goldstone site, "held out for three or four years not to go to Toys R Us" before caving in to the needs of a young family.

While supporters took home a chunk of turf, seats, even turnstiles, he missed out on a piece of Goldstone memorabilia. The archetypal local boy made good has something more precious.

"All the great memories I've got are stored in my brain, from going there as a supporter, being a youth team player there and helping out with things like the laundry and then being lucky enough to play there as a professional," Mayo said.

"Those memories will be with me for the rest of my days and I definitely miss it. Every time we played there the atmosphere was good. That was our home.

"Obviously, Withdean is our home now but it is temporary and we don't know how long it is going to be for."

With Albion and Doncaster both resigned to a mid-table finish, the atmosphere tomorrow should be pretty relaxed, as it will be when former Albion boss Steve Coppell brings his Premiership eyecatchers to Withdean a fortnight before the start of next season for Mayo's benefit.

"Mr Coppell has agreed it, which is fantastic news for me," Mayo said. "It is a huge weight off my mind. It has been long overdue and now I can look forward to July 28.

"I have spoken briefly to the gaffer (Dean Wilkins) about it and he wants it to be a competitive pre-season game, which is excellent.

"However, he has agreed for me to get an all-star team together which I am in the middle of doing now.

"I've got a few names already, the likes of Peter Ward, Gary Stevens and John Robinson, to have 15 minutes each way prior to kick-off so that the supporters get their money's worth.

"It will also be a chance for me to say a big thank you' to them."

l The shirts worn by the Albion players tomorrow will be available to buy in an on-line auction.

Replicas will be on sale at the mobile shop at Withdean and at the club shop in Brighton city centre from Tuesday.

Tickets at 1997 rates are still available in the East Stand and Family Stand, priced £12 adults and £7 concessions.

The matchday programme, including a souvenir pull-out of fans' memories, has been reduced to the 1997 price of £1.50.