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Withdean's Greatest XI Vote - Left Back

With the end in sight for Brighton and Hove Albion's time at Withdean Stadium, we've decided to put together a poll for the Greatest XI to pull on the stripes during our 12 year stay - with this weeks vote being for the left back slot.

Left back is often a difficult position to fill, based on the fact that the majority of players are stronger on their right foot.

Apart from the longstanding Kerry Mayo, the Albion seem to have had a different left back option every season.

Three players who made the move initially on-loan make the list and two highly rated youth team products who went onto play at a higher level and gain international recognition all the make the shortlist. So now its over to you to nominate the one who you think to be the best left back in the Withdean era

Please remember this is a vote for the player you thought to be the BEST Albion left back - not your favourite!

Kerry Mayo 1996-2009, 367 appearances, 12 goals
Kerry Mayo became known as Mr Brighton and Hove Albion during his thirteen years at the club. He recovered from scoring an own goal at Hereford that nearly condemned the Seagulls to the Conference to play over 350 times, turning successfully from central midfield to left back in 1999. He was first choice as the Albion won two championships and came runner up in the player-of-the-season vote in 2002-2003 behind Danny Cullip. Never the most mobile of players, the ginger prince made up for it with his solid defensive ability that meant he was not just a mainstay but a quality performer during one of the Albion's most successful runs.
Dan Harding 2003-2005, 67 appearances, 1 goal
A product of the youth system, Harding broke into the first team halfway through the 2003-04 season and didn't relinquish his place for the 18 months until he left for Leeds United at the end of 2004-05. An attacking full back who was also prone to defensive lapses that often cost goals, he received international recognition with England under-21's during his time at Withdean. His decision not to sign a new contract with the club soured his reputation with the fans and he now receives a hostile reception whenever he returns but the club netted a healthy profit in compensation for his move to Elland Road that was probably an inflated fee owing to his international call ups.
Joel Lynch 2005-2009, 79 appearances, 2 goals
Another youth team product who gained international recognition with England under 18s, Lynch was thrown into a struggling Championship side at the age of 18 in 2005-2006 and instantly impressed. A centre back by trade, he did not look out of place on the left side of defence and became a regular for the next two seasons. Micky Adams bizarre preferences of Colin Hawkins and Matt Richards' following their arrivals in 2008 saw him out of the team, and it wasn't long before he was snapped up on-loan by Nottingham Forest who turned the loan into a permanent deal for £200,000 in the summer of 2009.
Matt Richards 2007-2008, 51 appearances, 1 goal
Richards spent three separate loan spells from Ipswich at Withdean during which time he was an automatic pick at left back. He originally arrived under Dean Wilkins in 2007, staying until Christmas. A second spell was agreed in January 2008 as the Albion fell one place short in their quest for a play-off spot, and he signed again for the first six months of 2008-2009 under Micky Adams. While he lacked pace, he was a solid performer defensively and would have become a permanent signing for the club had Ipswich not held out for such an inflated fee. Best remembered for slotting the winning penalty in the shoot-out win over Manchester City
Jim McNulty 2009-, 15 appearances, 0 goals
With Ipswich refusing to lower their asking price for Matt Richards, the Albion took advantage of Stockports financial difficulties by signing Jim McNulty. He instantly became a popular player with the fans for his never-say-die attitude and for being the first full back who really liked to get forward. Unfortunately, McNulty suffered an horrendous injury against Crewe when he ruptured a kidney and was subsequently out for six months. Since then he has been loaned to Scunthorpe United twice following the arrival of Marcos Painter and it reamins doubtful that he has a future at the club under Gus Poyet.
Gary Borrowdale 2009, 12 appearances
Facing a left-back crisis following McNulty's horror injury, caretaker-boss Dean White moved to bring in Gary Borrowdale from Queens Park Rangers. The former-England under 20 international played the remainder of the season as under Russell Slade the Albion pulled off a miraculous last day escape from relegation. His form during that run in was such that along with White's other signings of Lloyd Owusu and Calvin Andrew, he played a major part in securing the Seagull's place in League One and was rewarded with a return to the QPR first team when he went back to Loftus Road at the end of the season, scuppering any hopes for Slade of a permanent deal.
Marcos Painter 2010-, 52 appearances, 1 goals
With Gus Poyet remaining unconvinced with Jim McNulty's fitness following his return, the new Albion boss bought in Marcos Painter from Swansea City on-loan until the end of the season. The new man soon showed that he fitted straight in to the Seagulls' new style of play, bombing up and down the wing and turning a defence that had previously been leaking goals at an alarming rate into one of the most solid in the division. Out of contract at the Liberty Stadium, Painter agreed to sign permanently with Brighton in the summer and since then has been the undoubted first choice left back as the Albion have topped League One since October.