It is not only having a namesake for a wife which makes Kerry Mayo extraordinary.

He is a man on a remarkable footballing mission.

The long-serving defender has already played at three different home grounds for Albion.

Now Mayo is planning to make it four following John Prescott's 'Yes' to Falmer.

Nobody inside the Albion camp can appreciate what it means to be looking forward to a new stadium quite like Mayo.

Born in Cuckfield, the married father-of-two has been with the club since the age of 11.

The Tories were still running the country and Barry Lloyd was the manager when he signed as a schoolboy.

He used to be a supporter at the Goldstone before playing there, at Gillingham when Albion groundshared for two seasons and now at Withdean. He is the archetypal local boy made good.

Mayo, 28, is currently enjoying his testimonial season with the club. Today's stadium announcement has increased his determination to still be around when the Seagulls fly into their next new home.

"As a schoolboy, I used to get given tickets for the West Stand at the Goldstone," Mayo said.

"The stewards used to let us go through to the North Stand. I'd be there with my mates, really getting into it, cheering and shouting.

"It became my Saturday routine. I'd jump on the bus from Peacehaven to Brighton Station, get the train through to Hove and then walk to the Goldstone. They were just great times.

"Eight years ago we were hitting rock bottom at Hereford and then to progress all the way to where we are now is totally unbelievable.

"The club has changed massively. Gillingham was a heartbreak after the Goldstone.

"And then, when Micky Adams came, he let 19 or 20 players go and only kept myself and Gary Hart.

"I've had some fantastic years here, going all the way back to the Hereford game to where we are now with three promotions on my CV.

"All the time I've been here the stadium has been dragging on. Whenever it got close to a decision it got put back another six months.

"I was hoping my testimonial would be the first game at Falmer and to become the only player to play at all four grounds in a Brighton shirt.

"It's too late for my testimonial to be played there now but it is party time around the city of Brighton and Hove. There is a huge buzz.

"Driving up to training every day and seeing the ground being built stage by stage will be brilliant.

"It will create lots of jobs and it will be excellent for the fans. All those people who cannot come to see Brighton at Withdean will be sitting in a brand new stadium.

"And it will be brilliant for the next generation and fantastic for Brighton as a club.

"With the revenue we'll be getting we can start pushing on for the play-off and, who knows, in years to come the Premier League.

"For me especially, being a supporter as well as a player, it will be a dream for me to play at Falmer. Fingers crossed I will still be here to do that."