A BOARDROOM split was played out in public at Newport County AFC's annual general meeting last night.

Shareholders were stunned as director Jon Bowkett, sitting in the audience at the Riverfront Theatre rather than with his fellow Suporters' Trust directors on stage, launched a broadside over the appointment of former first team coach and player Mike Flynn as the club's new Football and Business Development Director.

In a question and answer session at the end of the formal club AGM for the 2014-15 financial year, Mr Bowkett claimed the decision had not been made 'democratically' and that he had not sanctioned the newly-created role.

However, directors Gavin Foxall and Shaun Johnson said all board members had received an email asking for their approval of, or views on, the proposed appointment. Mr Bowkett said he had no record of an email.

In a second intervention, Mr Bowkett said he had received letters from two unnamed County staff members raising 'serious concerns' about the running of the club.

As the argument, which was met with dismay from some shareholders and anger from others, continued Mr Foxall said the board would release a statement addressing the situation 'within 48 hours'.

All current directors, including Mr Bowkett, are standing for election to the Trust's board. Voting closes at 5pm on Saturday. The current directors have been acting in an interim capacity following the Trust's takeover of the club at the start of last season.

The Trust took control thanks to County supporters raising £236,000 in a matter of weeks last summer.

The AGM also heard of a dispute between former director Howard Greenhaf and the current board. It was agreed when the Trust took over that Mr Greenhaf would be repaid outstanding loans made to the club on a monthly basis.

Mr Johnson revealed the payments to Mr Greenhaf, who was in the audience as a shareholder, have now stopped but said he could not comment further. 

The AGM heard the club's finances were in a worse state than anticipated when the Trust takeover was completed and that all monies raised by supporters were used to stabilise the situation. However, transfer fees for Regan Poole and Aaron Collins along with sell-on payments for Conor Washington and last season's FA Cup run had improved the situation and the club had £250,000 in the bank at the end of last month.

Shareholders were told the club would benefit from a further payment following Washington's competitive debut for Northern Ireland at Euro 2016 and the cash would be added to manager Warren Feeney's playing budget.