Boss Micky Adams has taken a swipe at the Albion Board following the shock switch to Cardiff by his sidekick Alan Cork.

Cork has doubled his money by joining the Welsh giants.

Adams says Albion did their best to persuade him to stay, including the offer of a pay rise.

But he added there are "lessons this club has got to learn from."

The Argus exclusively revealed yesterday that Albion are pursuing compensation from Cardiff for Cork, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

That was out of step with the four-year contract awarded to Adams when he took charge 17 months ago.

Adams said: "Of course I am disappointed he has left. He is my best mate and we had a great working relationship.

"I've heard little whispers about us having a fight or a ruck, but nothing could be further from the truth.

"I am best man at his wedding next summer and we will continue to be best mates.

"Obviously it's a shock. It has been a difficult couple of days for me. I got to know about it on Monday. I didn't want him to go and he was aware of that.

"But he had good reasons in terms of teaming up again with Sam Hammam and Bobby Gould.

"There were other factors as well. Let's not kid ourselves, if somebody doubles your money that is something you have got to seriously consider.

"We tried our best to persuade him not to go. Included in that was money as well, but we have to be realistic. I would say he is getting more than 95 per cent of the managers in the Third Division.

"He has been a big part of my life and it's been difficult coming to terms with it. It's a soppy and emotional thing that has happened. We've got a relationship very much like a marriage which has come to an end.

"Look at our record when we have worked together? Fulham were 23rd in the Third Division, but when we left they were second in the Second Division.

"Brighton are sixth at the moment after finishing 11th last season. Over the last 22 League games we have won 12, drawn seven and lost three, so there is nothing wrong with the way we work.

"But I know there have been other things which have upset him and me. The David Cameron incident for instance, which was blown out of all proportion, hurt him especially.

"We did what we thought was right for the club. Perhaps the way we did it wasn't right, but we were only looking after the club's interests.

"There are other lessons, which I am not going to go into detail about, which the club has got to learn from. They are best kept between me and the Board of Directors.

"If you ask me if I am happy I'm not, but life goes on."