2nd: Paul Mayo (127 votes, 24%)
I admit, I would have been gutted if Paul had won. Don’t get me wrong, he was a decent full back who had a good career, but he wasn’t one I would have picked in the top three, perhaps the top six. However, I’m not choosing here, you lot are and that makes Paul Mayo the second best left-back that you have seen.
Mayo was a steady left back with a cruel left foot which he often put to great use. His goal against Scunthorpe in the play-off semi-final really showed his passion and commitment for the club, but it also showed his ability.
He began to attract scouts, and three goals in six games didn’t do his reputation any harm, including one against Brighton in the FA Cup (pictured above). Watford, then of the second tier, came in with a £65,000 bid, which was gratefully accepted. It may not seem like a lot of money, but less than eighteen months after administration, it is.
He played the remainder of the season for them and started in the side the next season. He was dropped in October and only played twice more for the club. New Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd deemed him surplus to requirements. He was soon back at Lincoln on a free transfer which seemed like solid business by the Imps.
He took great delight in scoring in the 5-0 rout of Grimsby Town not long after his return, but tasted play-off disappointment yet again as we went outing the semi-finals to our fishy foes. The same exercise was repeated the next season and Mayo decided enough was enough. He turned down a new deal and moved to Notts County, bringing to an end his second term at the club.
For an in-depth interview with Paul Mayo, keep an eye out for A City United Issue 9, out some time in mid April.
This is a great series – brings back so many good memories. There won’t be any shortage of candidates for the centre-backs either! Just not sure about Hull City now being a Premier League giant!