Exeter City are facing legal action over their dismissal of former trustee Roger Conway.
The Grecians' Chairman Laurence Overend has confirmed that the Exeter City Supporters' Trust have received a letter of legal intent from former Trustee Roger Conway over his dismissal from the organisation.
Conway was relieved of his duties after being in breach of the Trust's constitution. He was reported to the Trust board for breaching Rule 82 of the constitution, which states: "A Trustee, chief executive, or co-optee shall declare an interest in any contract or matter in which they have a personal, material or financial interest."
According to Conway, a fellow Trustee made a formal complaint to the Trust board after Conway had lent the club money to try to avoid taking out a loan from the Professional Footballers' Association.
However, after the expiration of the loan, the club was forced to go down the PFA route after Conway rejected the club's extension of the loan because he claimed the Trust board reacted in such a way that it had "substantially increased the risk factor involved".
Conway was subsequently relieved of his duties, but is now seeking legal action against the Trust.
"The Trust have received a solicitors' letter on behalf of Roger Conway," Overend said. "We have replied to it and have yet to receive a response to it and whilst I have every reason to believe – and have every confidence - that there will be no legal action against the Trust, whilst that remains even a potential, it would be wrong for the Trust to make a public comment.
"I also have no wish to get involved in a public spat with Mr Conway. He has chosen to send us a solicitors' letter and if that's the medium through which he wishes to conduct communications with the Trust, then that is the medium which we will correspond back.
"I find it a frustrating situation to be in because I would very much like to defend the Trust publicly. I believe the Trust have nothing to hide, or have done nothing wrong, but while there is the potential for legal action, as a practicing solicitor, it would be wrong to make any public comment."
The Trust have come in for some criticism in recent weeks for staying tight-lipped on events at the club, which has seen the chairman, Edward Chorlton, and chief executive, Guy Wolfenden, both resign from their roles.
With Conway also acting as the club's secretary, it is three prominent board members to leave St James' Park, but Overend says now is the time for the Trust to evaluate the governance of the football club and map out a vision for the future.
"In light of the number of key people having left over the summer, it is a good opportunity to discuss issues of governance and vision with the club," he said.
"There will be a joint meeting between club and Trust board in the near future where we have every confidence we can work together for a united vision, a shared strategy and also an agreement in regard to a robust and effective governance model."
Asked whether the club would return to a situation where the Trust chairman doubles up as club chairman, Overend added: "I don't personally see it as a holy grail.
"My own view is that the skills to be Trust chair are not necessarily the same skills required to be the club chair. Ultimately, it is about having the best person for the job.
"I think what the club has tried are two very different approaches and whilst both were successful in their own right, Denise Watts was clearly a very different chair to Edward Chorlton. We have tried both styles of leadership and I think we have learnt lessons which will enable us to work towards an effective governance and leadership in the future.
"I don't see the issue of the chairman as being a sacrosanct matter. Actually, what is equally important is effective Trust influence from the various committees in the club, transparency, openness and democracy."
