Hucker, who was replaced as chairman last month after an ill-tempered annual meeting, had announced he was to quit the board at the end of September.

But in a surprise development he parted company with the club this week - to the dismay of some fans who are now worried about the ambitious club's future direction.

The bust-up - a mix of differences over Brakes' future development and personal ill-feeling - had been largely confined to the boardroom.

But it is now out in the open, to the concern of many who have followed the club since its re-birth eight years ago.

Jim Scott, who took over the chairmanship a month ago following the board's decision to oust Hucker, declined to comment on the reasons for his predeccessor's departure.

A brief statement prepared for the club's official website simply said: "Everyone at the club respects the hard work and signifciant efforts that David has made on behalf of the club over many years and in varying roles."

"In the short term his roles and responsibilities will be undertaken by a number of individuals whilst the board of directors considers its options on how best to replace his skills and experience."

"We wish David every success in his future ventures and interest pusuits."

The dispute is not new, as Hucker's resignation letter made clear.

He wrote: "The year (as chairman] was not without difficulty and, from the outset, I did not feel I had the support of the whole board."

"As a group we lacked cohesion and a shared vision on how to take the club forward and I cannot see there being a meeting of minds in future, given the differing views."

There are now two vacancies on the board and new directors are being sought.

Hucker is keeping his concerns to himself for now, but he is believed to be worried about the club's ability to fund its ambitions.

Fellow directors are thought to have opposed his plans to shake up Brakes' off-field activities.

It seems likely that Hucker, who worked closely with Mick Brady to re-establish Leamington as a force in the non-league game, had made enemies at the club who disliked his ideas and his leadership style.

Mr Scott said: "We are looking to do a lot of what David was doing, which is to move the club forward in a businesslike manner and get to where we want to go."

He insisted that the club's playing budget was sustainable.

Fans on the club's unofficial web forum have been highly critical of recent developments and are worried what effect the departure of the club's longest-serving official will have on future stability.