ANDREW Whing has revealed relegation could have ended his Albion career.

Whing, runaway winner of the player-of-the-season, is among 16 players out of contract next month and that has alerted Walsall.

Saturday’s closing 1-0 victory over Stockport means the right-back does not have to choose between dropping down to League Two with the Seagulls or staying in League One. “It’s a decision I don’t have to make any more but it would have been a decision I’d have looked at,” he said.

“I haven’t been concentrating on a contract – it has been all about keeping Brighton safe. We’ve managed to do that and I am looking forward to a nice break now. I’ve done myself no harm and hopefully we can get together and go from there.”

Eight out of every ten fans voted for Whing in the player-of-the-season poll.

“It just shows you what hard work and consistency can do for you,” he said. “Obviously I am delighted.

“Playing 58 games this season has been a great achievement as well and I thank the fans for voting for me.”

Albion finished the season with 13 points from a possible 15 to save themselves and send Northampton down with Crewe, Cheltenham and Hereford.

“We have really dug in and turned it around in the last couple of weeks,” Whing said.

“It’s thoroughly deserved and I’m so happy for everyone who has put so much hard work in, especially since the new gaffer (Russell Slade) has come in.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game but who cares? We got the three points and it has kept us up.”