A solid and reliable midfielder, Gavin Mahon began his professional career at Hereford United, for whom he made 50-plus appearances.

Mahon earned a transfer to Brentford, for a fee of £50,000, in November 1998 and it was at Griffin Park that he firmly established himself in the professional game.

After making 150-plus starts for the Bees, the no-nonsense midfielder moved to Watford near the end of the ill-fated Gianluca Vialli reign at Vicarage Road.

Mahon played an integral role in the Hornets' upturn in fortunes and was rewarded by being named Player of the Season at the end of the 2003/04 campaign.

He successfully skippered the Club to promotion in May 2006 and made 36 appearances in their one season stay in the top-flight.