The backlash was inevitable.

Glenn Murray's defection from Brighton and Hove Albion to arch-rivals Crystal Palace was never going to provoke anything but bitterness from Seagulls fans - despite his contribution to their League One-winning campaign.

Even the most ardent supporter, though, may be taken aback by the strength of some of the images being passed around on the internet.

Pictures of the 27-year-old goalscoring ace have been doctored as fans vent their anger at his departure, which is expected to be rubber-stamped in the next few days.

One shows a fist-pumping Gordon Greer apparently brandishing Murray's severed head - complete with dripping blood.

Others have dubbed him “the Championship Judas Iscariot” for his alleged betrayal - and his face has been superimposed on pictures of Judas kissing Gus Poyet as Jesus.

The We Are Brighton fan site includes a video of all 56 of Murray's goals - accompanied by The Beatles' Money and Abba's Money Money Money.

Visitors to the fans' forum North Stand Chat have even devoted several pages to a discussion of whether Murray would or should face physical danger if he continued to live in Brighton while playing for Palace.