'Able to sit down with Eddie' - Dan Ashworth's Newcastle bonus and what he told Brighton players

Dan Ashworth may have had to be patient while on gardening leave, but the 51-year-old certainly did not leave Brighton through the back door when he handed in his notice earlier this year. It was quite the opposite, in fact.

Ashworth was so well-regarded at Brighton that, even after resigning to take up a new position at an effective rival in Newcastle United, the technical director was given the chance to say farewell to staff and personally address the players.

"This is probably the best group of players I have had the privilege of working with in terms of culture and togetherness," he told the squad back in February.

You could understand the emotion. Ashworth had watched this group grow during his time at the club and so many of these players epitomised the strides the Seagulls had made behind the scenes in each individual department under Ashworth's watch.

When it came to the academy, Lewis Dunk, who came through the ranks all those years ago, was continuing to inspire the club's youngsters as captain. Smart signings such as Tariq Lamptey, Marc Cucurella and Joel Veltman proved that Brighton could punch above their weight by being smart with recruitment. The Seagulls' well-thought out use of the loan system allowed Robert Sanchez, Alexis Mac Allister and Jakub Moder the chance to develop elsewhere before the trio were, crucially, reintegrated into the squad as part of a long-term plan. Progress made in the medical and sports science department has seen Danny Welbeck defy his critics and play his part.

Walking away from these players, effectively 18 months before Ashworth traditionally gets itchy feet in his fifth year, was not easy. Ashworth was settled in Sussex - living just a stone's throw from chief executive