Gary Hart (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Gary John Hart is a professional footballer who plays for Eastbourne Borough
. Hart spent the majority of his career at Brighton
. He was famously signed from Stansted
in 1998, for £1,000 and a set of tracksuits.
Hart, along with Kerry Mayo
, was released by former manager Dean Wilkins
during June 2008, but after Wilkins'
sacking from Brighton
, were bought back to the club under manager Micky Adams
, both of whom had worked with him during his first spell as manager at the club.
Hart is known for his versatility, as he has played in many numerous positions for the club such as; right-back, winger, wide midfield, centre midfield and striker during his Brighton career. He has managed to score 43 goals
in over 350 games for the club.
Gary was one of the few instrumental figures that helped the club rise through the Football League
and played an important part in Micky Adams
back-to-back Championship winning side from 2000-2001. He has gone on to play for a further six managers with the club, Peter Taylor, Steve Coppell
, Mark McGhee
, Dean Wilkins
, Russell Slade
and Gus Poyet.
During May 2007, Hart was awarded with a new one-year contract after playing in a certain amount of games for the 06/07 season. Hart achieved a testimonial year with the Seagulls with this deal, following on from Kerry Mayo
who achieved the accolade the previous season.
For the 2007/08 season Hart lost his number 9 shirt, to new signing Nicky Forster
, that he had worn for the Seagulls since signing in 1998. Hart wore the number 12 for Brighton during the 2007/08 season, and changed again to number 15 for the 2008/09 season.
On the 6 December 2007, it was revealed that Hart has joined Conference South
side Havant & Waterlooville
on a one-month loan deal. Hart joined fellow ex-Albion player Charlie Oatway
at the club who retired from the professional game in the summer of 2007 due to injury.
With an injury crisis at Brighton
, Hart was recalled from his loan spell at Havant & Waterlooville
on the 7 January 2008. He was involved in the squad for the first time in the 2007/08 season in the Football League Trophy
game at Swansea.
On the 6 May 2008, it was confirmed that Hart, along with experienced trio Kerry Mayo
, Guy Butters
and Paul Reid
were to be released from the club by former manager Dean Wilkins
. Mayo
and Hart both signed new contracts after impressing during pre-season under new manager Micky Adams
.
In May 2011 the club announced that he would be released at the end of the season following the ending of his current contract, along with five other players. On the 16th of July 2011 Hart was called back to the Brighton Reserves squad for the final time by manager Gus Poyet to captain the side in their Sussex Senior Cup
final against Eastbourne Borough
. It was the first competitive match to be played at Brighton
's new American Express Community Stadium
. The home side won the game 2-0 with Hart confirming his already legendary status at the club by scoring the first goal at the new ground.
Hart signed for Eastbourne Borough
on 23 July 2011.
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
. Hart spent the majority of his career at Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
. He was famously signed from Stansted
Stansted F.C.
Stansted F.C. is an English football club based in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. The club are currently members of the Essex Senior League and play at Hargrave Park.-History:...
in 1998, for £1,000 and a set of tracksuits.
Hart, along with Kerry Mayo
Kerry Mayo
Kerry Mayo is a former English footballer. Mayo usually played as a left back.-Career:Mayo was a trainee with Brighton & Hove Albion and signed a professional contract with them in July 1996...
, was released by former manager Dean Wilkins
Dean Wilkins
Dean Mark Wilkins is an English former footballer and the ex manager of English football team Brighton & Hove Albion. Wilkins was temporarily in charge of Southampton, after the sacking of Alan Pardew, but was succeeded by Nigel Adkins after only 3 games.-Club career:Born in Hillingdon, Wilkins...
during June 2008, but after Wilkins'
Dean Wilkins
Dean Mark Wilkins is an English former footballer and the ex manager of English football team Brighton & Hove Albion. Wilkins was temporarily in charge of Southampton, after the sacking of Alan Pardew, but was succeeded by Nigel Adkins after only 3 games.-Club career:Born in Hillingdon, Wilkins...
sacking from Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, were bought back to the club under manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
, both of whom had worked with him during his first spell as manager at the club.
Hart is known for his versatility, as he has played in many numerous positions for the club such as; right-back, winger, wide midfield, centre midfield and striker during his Brighton career. He has managed to score 43 goals
Goal (sport)
Goal refers to a method of scoring in many sports. It can also refer to the physical structure or area of the playing surface where scoring occurs....
in over 350 games for the club.
Gary was one of the few instrumental figures that helped the club rise through the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
and played an important part in Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
back-to-back Championship winning side from 2000-2001. He has gone on to play for a further six managers with the club, Peter Taylor, Steve Coppell
Steve Coppell
Stephen James "Steve" Coppell is an English former footballer and manager, currently without a club.As a player, he was a highly regarded right winger known for his speed and work rate. He won domestic honours with Manchester United and represented England at the World Cup...
, Mark McGhee
Mark McGhee
Mark Edward McGhee is a former Scottish professional football player. McGhee started his career at Greenock Morton in 1975 and spent spells at clubs including Newcastle United, Aberdeen, Hamburg, Celtic, IK Brage and Reading...
, Dean Wilkins
Dean Wilkins
Dean Mark Wilkins is an English former footballer and the ex manager of English football team Brighton & Hove Albion. Wilkins was temporarily in charge of Southampton, after the sacking of Alan Pardew, but was succeeded by Nigel Adkins after only 3 games.-Club career:Born in Hillingdon, Wilkins...
, Russell Slade
Russell Slade
Russell Slade is an English football manager currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.-Notts County:Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager...
and Gus Poyet.
During May 2007, Hart was awarded with a new one-year contract after playing in a certain amount of games for the 06/07 season. Hart achieved a testimonial year with the Seagulls with this deal, following on from Kerry Mayo
Kerry Mayo
Kerry Mayo is a former English footballer. Mayo usually played as a left back.-Career:Mayo was a trainee with Brighton & Hove Albion and signed a professional contract with them in July 1996...
who achieved the accolade the previous season.
For the 2007/08 season Hart lost his number 9 shirt, to new signing Nicky Forster
Nicky Forster
Nicholas Michael "Nicky" Forster is a former professional footballer who has also been player-manager at Brentford, and is now manager of Dover Athletic...
, that he had worn for the Seagulls since signing in 1998. Hart wore the number 12 for Brighton during the 2007/08 season, and changed again to number 15 for the 2008/09 season.
On the 6 December 2007, it was revealed that Hart has joined Conference South
Conference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
side Havant & Waterlooville
Havant & Waterlooville F.C.
Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
on a one-month loan deal. Hart joined fellow ex-Albion player Charlie Oatway
Charlie Oatway
Anthony Philip David Terry Frank Donald Stanley Gerry Gordon Stephen James Oatway , more commonly known as Charlie Oatway, is an English former footballer. Oatway retired from the professional game in August 2007. He was assistant manager and a player at Havant & Waterlooville but departed the club...
at the club who retired from the professional game in the summer of 2007 due to injury.
With an injury crisis at Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, Hart was recalled from his loan spell at Havant & Waterlooville
Havant & Waterlooville F.C.
Havant & Waterlooville Football Club are an English football club based in Havant, Hampshire. The club formed in 1998 after a merger between Havant Town and Waterlooville, and are currently members of the Conference South. Nicknamed The Hawks, they play at West Leigh Park.-History:In 1998 Havant...
on the 7 January 2008. He was involved in the squad for the first time in the 2007/08 season in the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
game at Swansea.
On the 6 May 2008, it was confirmed that Hart, along with experienced trio Kerry Mayo
Kerry Mayo
Kerry Mayo is a former English footballer. Mayo usually played as a left back.-Career:Mayo was a trainee with Brighton & Hove Albion and signed a professional contract with them in July 1996...
, Guy Butters
Guy Butters
Guy Butters is a Football Manager and former professional footballer currently Managing Winchester City FC in the Wessex Premier League having been appointed to replace Glenn Cockerill in September 2010....
and Paul Reid
Paul Reid (Australian footballer)
Paul James Reid is a professional football player who last played for A-League club Adelaide United. Reid previously played for Wollongong Wolves during their championship winning seasons before moving to England where he played for six years with Bradford City and Brighton & Hove Albion before...
were to be released from the club by former manager Dean Wilkins
Dean Wilkins
Dean Mark Wilkins is an English former footballer and the ex manager of English football team Brighton & Hove Albion. Wilkins was temporarily in charge of Southampton, after the sacking of Alan Pardew, but was succeeded by Nigel Adkins after only 3 games.-Club career:Born in Hillingdon, Wilkins...
. Mayo
Kerry Mayo
Kerry Mayo is a former English footballer. Mayo usually played as a left back.-Career:Mayo was a trainee with Brighton & Hove Albion and signed a professional contract with them in July 1996...
and Hart both signed new contracts after impressing during pre-season under new manager Micky Adams
Micky Adams
Michael Richard "Micky" Adams is an English former professional footballer turned football manager who is in charge of League Two side Port Vale. As a player he was a full back, and made a total of 438 league appearances in a nineteen year professional career in the Football League, including five...
.
In May 2011 the club announced that he would be released at the end of the season following the ending of his current contract, along with five other players. On the 16th of July 2011 Hart was called back to the Brighton Reserves squad for the final time by manager Gus Poyet to captain the side in their Sussex Senior Cup
Sussex Senior Challenge Cup
The Sussex Senior Challenge Cup, or simply Sussex Senior Cup, is the county senior cup of the Sussex FA. The first winners of the cup were Brighton Rangers, who won the cup in 1883...
final against Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
. It was the first competitive match to be played at Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
's new American Express Community Stadium
Falmer Stadium
Falmer Stadium, known for sponsorship purposes as the American Express Community Stadium, or The Amex, is a football stadium near the village of Falmer in Brighton and Hove and is the home of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.. The stadium was handed over from the developers to the club on 31 May 2011...
. The home side won the game 2-0 with Hart confirming his already legendary status at the club by scoring the first goal at the new ground.
Hart signed for Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...
on 23 July 2011.