Colchester United’s former chief scout has spoken out about his treatment by the club.

Paul Dyer, a former player and scout who represented the U’s for 23 years, has also criticised the employment tribunal system after his claim for unfair dismissal was delayed for a third time.

His contract, along with other scouts, was cancelled when the department was axed by chairman Robbie Cowling in 2009, months after Paul Lambert took over as manager.

Mr Dyer took action against the club and his claim was originally due to be held in October last year.

But the rearranged tribunal, due to be held in Bury St Edmunds yesterday, was postponed again with no new date confirmed.

Mr Dyer said: “They told me they could not find a judge for it.

“It had already been put back twice and it is in Colchester United’s interest to keep it off. I needed it to be as early as possible because of the time I had out of work.”

Mr Dyer was a player in the Seventies and was recruited as chief scout by former manager Ian Atkins in 1991.

Mr Dyer was also well known in the town for running the Lamb pub, in High Street – now called After Office Hours.

In January 2009, Mr Dyer claims he was asked to give up his role in the pub trade, alongside his wife, who ran the Compasses, in Great Totham, with him at the time, to concentrate on his role with the club.

But then he was let go by Colchester United.

He said: “I was part-time paid with full-time hours and I am claiming back to 1991.

“All those years and nine managers. If I was not good they would have got rid of me. Paul Lambert came in and wanted to change everything.

“I feel I have been put down. After 23 years of service I expected a testimonial, at least.”

Mr Dyer, 57, who now works as a scout for Queens Park Rangers and lives and works in Colchester as a taxi driver, is waiting to hear when the claim for unfair dismissal and compensation will be held.

He played in midfield and defence from 1975 until 1980.

He went on to play for Gravesend, Chelmsford City and Tiptree United, before taking Haverhill to the quarter-finals of the FA Vase in 1987 as manager before returning to the U’s in 1991.

A spokesman for Colchester United said the club would not comment until the claim is resolved.