A visibly emotional Mike Brown has revealed he is being released by a club for the second successive season.
The England international joined Newcastle Falcons last summer after failing to win a new deal with Harlequins.
Now the 36-year-old is again looking for a fresh team in the wake of Newcastle opting not to take up the second year of a one-plus-one contract.
The news shines a light on the often brutal nature of professional sport.
In an interview with Nick Mullins for BT Sport, who handles proceedings brilliantly, Brown said: “It’s not poor me, but it’s the side of professional sport that a lot of people don’t see.
“It was an hour in the car park sat on my own.
“Speaking about the group of players who are at Newcastle, the amount of support I got from them was unbelievable. They were brilliant for me.”
Trying hard to keep his emotions in check, the full-back who unfailingly wears his heart on his sleeve revealed it wasn’t just because of himself that he felt upset.
“If it was just me, I wouldn’t have emotion, I don’t think,” he said.
“It’s when you’ve got to go home and tell your wife that you’ve got to move again.
“So it’s hard.”
He initially felt he was on course for a second campaign in the north-east of England, only for Falcons boss Dean Richards to decide otherwise.
“I signed a one-plus-one which is typical for a player at this stage of my career,” said Brown.
“It means the first year is guaranteed and the second year is if they still want you.
“November-time, Deano and I had a conversation. As far as I was aware I was staying for the second year. In the next few months, things changed. He brought me in and said that wasn’t now the case.
“So I’m in a position now where I’m trying to find a new club.”
The news from Richards that he wasn’t needed for next season had come as a shock, with the No. 15 saying: “It is, especially when you have plans in your head that you are going to stay."
Over the years Brown hasn't always endeared himself to opposition supporters, especially in Wales, but plenty will feel sympathy with him after this latest news.
He has no plans to pack it in as a player just yet, saying he still enjoys the game and feels he can contribute on and off the field. His goal over the rest of the campaign will be to help Newcastle improve their position in the Gallagher Premiership — they stand eleventh out of 13 teams, with only Worcester Warriors and Bath below them.
To get the latest rugby news and analysis, sign up for our Welsh rugby newsletter.
