By theimps.tk
November 23 2009

Paul Mayo played for the Imps over two spells during the 2000-2010 period and secured a move to Championship Watford during that time. However, he wasn't liked by several fans and has since become subject of an "in-joke" of "I blame Paul Mayo!"

PAUL MAYO (2000-4 and 2005-7)

SIGNED AS A TRAINEE (FIRST SPELL) AND WATFORD (SECOND SPELL)

In a decade where finding a left back has been a big problem, the most consistent occupant of that position was Paul Mayo. The youngster made his debut just five weeks into the decade, taking part in a 2-1 defeat at Swansea City on February 4^th 2000. He was a near ever present for the rest of that season. He continued being a regular first teamer during the next season, that was until Alan Buckley arrived.

Although Mayo still got in the occasional appearance here and there, Buckley's preference for older and experienced players meant that the young Mayo, who had been linked to Tottenham Hotspur that season, was suddenly out of the pictures, replaced by long serving Stuart Bimson.

Buckley kept with Bimson for the 2001/2 season, that despite "Uncle Fester" regularly making mistakes. Buckley's departure proved reasonably good news for Mayo as Keith Alexander took over as manager. However, Alexander also preferred Bimson for the most part and Mayo was quickly loaned out to Dagenham and Redbridge. It wouldn't be until March that Mayo would again make an appearance for the Imps.

With City struggling to score goals, Mayo suddenly found himself included the squad and played in an upfront position, outplacing strikers such as Simon Yeo, a man who hadn't scored for eight months at that point. The Imps made the Playoffs for the first time and Mayo marked the first leg against Scunthorpe with his first ever goal for City, a left footed volley to make it 2-0. That goal helped City on the way to a 6-3 aggregate win to go onto the Playoff Final. Despite his recent run of good form, a red mo-hawked Mayo couldn't stop Bournemouth winning 5-2.

With Stuart Bimson leaving for Cambridge, the left back position was there for Paul Mayo's taking, not a hard task given that he was the only left back at the club. He had an excellent 2003/4 season, scoring eight times for the Imps, the last of those coming late on in a 2-0 win over Hull City, that was to be the last time he would play for City for 18 months.

A few days after that Hull game, he was sold to Watford for £60,000, with potential fees that would take the fee to £105,000 and he proved to be an ever present for Watford for the remainder of the season. He fell out of favour the following season and made his final appearance for Watford in January 2005.

He was released at the end of the season and was offered a deal at City by Alexander, however, he had a tricky choice as he was also offered a contract by Swindon Town. Swindon were a division above the Imps, but Mayo was keen to return to Sincil Bank and made it so in July 2005, ironically he replaced the man who had replaced him, Kevin Sandwith.

However, he proved less popular in his second spell at the club, now being the subject of the phrase "I blame Mayo!" Mayo gained a reputation of being blamed for incidents that weren't actually anything to do with him. Goals would be conceded that were the fault of other defenders, but Mayo would get the blame.

He had an average 2005/6, hitting the net four times, including one in a 5-0 win over Grimsby Town. Infact, Mayo was an expert at penalties and nine of his thirteen goals for the Imps had come from the spot, he had a 100% record, the only problem being that he always hit them to the goalkeeper's left and a memorable away trip to Torquay in August 2006 saw him fail to score from the spot for the first time, Nathan Abbey saving his effort relatively comfortably.

Despite being a near ever present during the rest of the season, Mayo certainly wasn't a favourite of Schofield and Deehan and despite being offered a contract at the end of the season, Mayo chose to leave City for a second time and he joined Notts County.

His time at County started well but he was quickly subjected to abuse by their fans, being blamed when his clearance fell straight to Forrester to give City a 1-0 win at Notts County in 2007/8. He went onto join Mansfield and then Corby.

Top 20 Players : 17th - Paul Mayo

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 23/11/2009 00:47

theimps.tk
23/11/2009 00:47

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

StratfordImp
23/11/2009 08:50

Still think we shoud have kept him......towards the end when he moved to centre half I thought he played well.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net