Gavin Mahon joined us on a short-term basis in February 2013; the combative midfielder signing up the rest of the 2012-3 season with us. The aim of his arrival was to provide us with extra bite in the middle at a time when poor form needed sorting out. In securing the services of Birmingham-born Mahon from fellow League One outfit Notts County, we got someone with plenty of Football League experience.

Gavin Mahon: Before Boro’

His first club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, didn’t work out for the midfielder. So, he moved down the divisions to Hereford United to establish his credentials. With around 70 outings in two years at Edgar Street, he caught the attention of Brentford; moving to west London in a stay that was to last four years and include 150+ outings.

But it was at Vicarage Road and with Watford where Mahon really made himself at home. In around six years in south Hertfordshire, the midfielder clocked up nearly 200 games – including Premier League experience. It was a spell that saw him captain the Hornets to play-off success in 2006. Once his stay at Watford came to an end, however, QPR came calling. But they didn’t offer him the regular playing time he’d enjoyed elsewhere.

Time spent at Loftus Road included a loan move to Crystal Palace, but the Eagles didn’t utilise his services at all and he eventually left QPR in 2011.