Gary Hart (footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = Gary Hart


fullname = Gary John Hart
height = height|ft=5|in=9
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1976|9|21
cityofbirth = Harlow
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Brighton
clubnumber = 15
position = Utility
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1998–
clubs = Brighton & Hove Albion
caps(goals) = 345 (45)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 17th September 2008

Gary John Hart (born, 21 September 1976 in Harlow) is a professional footballer currently who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion. Hart has been at Brighton for 10 years. He was famously signed from Stansted in 1998, for £1,000 and a set of tracksuits.Fact|date=August 2008

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. [ [http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/argusgeneralsportsnews/display.var.2249205.0.albion_release_longserving_trio.php Albion release experienced quartet] "The Argus", 6 May 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2008] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7523971.stm Hart and Mayo Offered New Contracts] , "BBC Football", 24 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008]

Hart is known for his versatility, as he has played in many numerous positions for the club such as; Right Back, Winger, Right Midfield, Centre Midfield and Striker during his Brighton career. He has managed to cap 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 had gone on to play for a further four managers with the club, Peter Taylor, Steve Coppell, Mark McGhee and Dean Wilkins.

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 [ [http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/argusgeneralsportsnews/display.var.2249205.0.albion_release_longserving_trio.php Albion release experienced quartet] "The Argus", 6 May 2008. Retrieved 6 May 2008] . Mayo and Hart both signed new contracts after impressing during pre-season under new manager Micky Adams [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/7523971.stm Hart and Mayo Offered New Contracts] , "BBC Football", 24 July 2008. Retrieved 28 July 2008] .

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