Disharmony within the Deal Town boardroom became public this week with the decision of vice-chairman Bob Chivington to tender his resignation.

Mr Chivington, vice-chairman for the past six years, said he would step down at the end of the season and blamed "internal politics" for his departure.

Two weeks earlier, Stuart McCluskey resigned as club chairman for "health reasons" and now Mr McCluskey has decided to quit the board altogether along with his wife and fellow director, Theresa, who was club secretary.

Mr McCluskey became Deal Town chairman when the club merged with Deal Town Rangers in April 2008 but he has now been replaced by another club director David Reid, who has the backing of Deal Town Supporters’ Club.

Mr Chivington said: "I have nothing but praise for Stuart and between us we were steering the club in the right direction until internal politics got in the way.

"A supporters’ meeting was held last week and it became obvious to me that I had outstayed my welcome and because Stuart has now left, I have also decided to leave. But I have decided to stay on until the end of the season because I have commitments to our sponsors and because it will also complete 10 years of loyal service to the club since I first joined the board."

It has been an eventful week for the club. On Saturday Derek Hares and his team made a trip to Bromley to take on Holmesdale in the Kent League, only to discover that the Holmesdale players had decided not to play in protest
at the way the club was being run.

Hares said: "It was frustrating travelling all the way up there and then that happening.

"The Holmesdale chairman apologised to me and said that he hoped we would be awarded the points."

Deal, who earned a goalless draw at Hythe on Tuesday, are at home to Corinthian on Saturday.