Sir Alex Ferguson sat Phil Marsh down in 2007 and told him why he was being released by Manchester United. Marsh’s latest club did it this week by text message.
The striker left Old Trafford with first-team opportunities limited by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.
Marsh went on to play for Blackpool, Forest Green Rovers and Salford City during his 20-club career so far before spending last season with Welsh second division semi-professional side Rhyl, whose new boss sent the text.
“It’s not the first time I’ve been released but it’s certainly the first time in this way,” he told BBC Sport. “It’s about decency. It’s bad when they can’t even pick up the phone.
“I would have respected them more if they called me in face to face but to just get a text – I was shocked. It’s pretty bad really.”