Tom Brighton will start ringing round managers in search of employment this morning, after being denied a move to Dundee.
The former Clyde, St Mirren and Millwall striker played three games as a trialist for Barry Smith’s side last month and waited for a further fortnight to see if the club was going to be successful in starting the process of coming out of administration.
That was achieved by Bryan Jackson last week, but the accountant has subsequently failed to persuade the SFL to overturn the Dark Blues’ transfer embargo.
That means, even though Brighton wants to stay at Dundee and Smith is desperate to sign him, he’s unable to play for them again this season, having used up his full quota of three possible matches as a trialist.
Brighton said, “I knew before I came here it could only be for three games.
“When the club started coming out of administration I got a bit of hope that we’d be able to do something.
“It has been frustrating to hear that it can’t happen now.”
He added, “It’s a strange one because the manager wants me to sign and I would love to play for Dundee but it’s impossible.
“So I suppose now I just have to get on the phone again and start speaking to people to see if anyone is interested.
“I’ve had one or two conversations with people so I’m hoping that I’ll be able to get something sorted out.”Survival ‘the main thing’Brighton has played his part in what he believes will be a Dundee league campaign with a happy ending.
He said, “There is a great bunch of boys in the dressing room.
“They have been doing brilliantly against all the adversity.”
He added, “The main thing is the club survives and I’m sure they will still be in the first division next season.
“Who knows what might happen in the future. Things might have changed at the end of the season. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Smith hopes Brighton finds a club quickly, but admitted it won’t be easy watching him bang in the goals elsewhere.
He said, “It’s a shame for Tam because he’s desperate to be here and I’m desperate to have him.
“He’s not got a job and the rules are stopping him from working.”
He added, “He’s done brilliantly for us, he’s a great lad and he held on to see if there was anything we could do.
“The disappointing thing for me personally is that he’ll now go to someone else and score goals.
“He’s a quality player and he’ll be a big success for someone. Everyone here wishes him all the best.”