The now unemployed Reid’s parting shot in the English press described Dean Wilkins – brother of former England player Ray Wilkins - as lacking man-management and communication skills, and disrespecting the club’s senior pros.

He told The Brighton Argus: "When Dean Wilkins said they were not going to be giving me another contract, I sarcastically said to him shock, horror'.

"I knew just from what has gone on over the last few months and even just the last few weeks really. I strained my medial ligament at the wrong time. I had just got back into the team and I was unlucky with that injury.

"You would think someone who has played should know how to man manage people. All players want is honesty. If the manager doesn't want you then you just prefer them to be honest with you, so you can look elsewhere,” he added.

The 28-year-old former NSL grand final winner with Wollongong Wolves, signed on a free transfer from Bradford City four years ago. Despite injuries, Reid forced his way back into the first team in January before a medial injury cruelled his season.

"For the last six weeks that I've been back I've played five reserve games in four different positions. It gets to the stage where you think if somebody wants you at the club they would give you an opportunity to shine and prove your worth.

"The reserves played Leyton Orient away and I played left midfield. I know I was our best player in that game but I didn't get in the first team squad that weekend. You know deep down that when your face doesn't fit you have got no chance.

"I was coming back at the start of the season from a serious knee injury. You have got to get back into the swing of things and the feel of playing football again.

"When you haven't played for so long you need a run of games where you are given a bit of a chance and I haven't found that this year.”

Reid has been joined on the dole queue by long-serving trio Kerry Mayo, Gary Hart and Guy Butters, plus Sam Rents, David Martot, Shane McFaul, Sonny Cobbs, Chris Winterton and Lloyd Skinner.

He added: "The medial ligament injury didn't help but, even before that, I travelled with the team to all the games and Sam Rents and I were always the ones left out.

"You have got to stay positive but when you don't get any feedback from the coaching staff, any communication between them and you, then it makes it difficult. You keep putting in 100 per cent in training and don't complain and that's what Sam and I did."

Reid, who is now a British citizen, had the chance to return to Australia with Adelaide United for next season, but rejected the club’s two year offer with an option on a third.

Reid is adamant he wants to stay in England and prove Albion wrong. Reid and his wife are also qualified radiographers as another occupation to fall back on when his football career comes to an end.

:: This morning Wilkins was sacked from the manager's post at Brighton and replaced by former boss Micky Adams.

Adams led Albion to the old Third Division title during his first spell in charge of the club from April 1999 to October 2001.

Wilkins has been offered the job of first team coach instead.

Chairman Dick Knight said: "This decision has not been taken lightly, but the board feel we need a manager with the wealth of experience to help the club make the leap into the Championship.

"Dean's strengths lie in coaching and the development of players and that is why we have offered him the role of senior coach under Micky."