SINCE joining Hereford United on a free transfer in the summer of 1996, after failing to make an impression at Wolves as a trainee under the tutelage of Graham Taylor, Gavin Mahon's career path has gradually begun to match that of the talented 25-year-old's ambition.

Signed for £150,000 from Division Two promotion chasing Brentford on Monday, March 4, Mahon needed little persuasion in switching allegiance to Vicarage Road.

"I asked around about the club before I joined and was told about the way Luca treats his players, as well as the set-up here and the training facilities and the way he (Vialli) goes about his work, and it's top-class. This is one of the main factors why I joined," said Mahon.

As well as Vialli's presence at the club, the chance to eventually play in the Premiership was also a big draw for the Birmingham-born player.

"The players are good enough to go up," he added. "I watched the game at West Brom (on Tuesday, March 5) and we deserved to win the game. So, if we are capable of beating teams like that away from home, we should have a good chance of pushing for promotion next season.

"The boss has a three-year contract and a three-year plan to get into the Premiership, and I want to be part of that."

To read Marc Dodd's full interview with Gavin Mahon, make sure you buy your copy of this week's The Watford Observer.

March 8, 2002 10:30