GAVIN Foxall is considering his position as chairman of operations at Newport County AFC, according to fellow director Neil Collier.

Foxall came in for criticism from former director Charlie Hopkins in his letter of resignation from the club’s board, which was leaked on Wednesday.

The County board issued a 2,000-word statement in response to Hopkins’ claims about the way the club is being run.

Hopkins said he could no longer serve with fellow directors Foxall, Shaun Johnson and Mark Crook and claimed that the trio, along with fellow director Peter Madigan, have too much control and have formed “an executive board in all but name.”

Foxall did not attend last night’s supporters’ open meeting at Rodney Parade but he was defended by fellow directors Collier and Johnson, as well as manager Michael Flynn.

“Gavin is the one above anyone else who has put his life to one side,” said Collier.

“He lives and breathes what he does for Newport County.

“He’s involved in everything and alongside [chief executive] Alex [Tunbridge] and Mike [Flynn] they are the three pillars of the club that make it all tick.

“He’s done that for two years, to the detriment of everything else – his family, his work, everything.

“The amount of effort and time that Gavin has put into it is without question.

“With Charlie’s resignation that went public and the personal accusations about Gavin and his behaviour it derails it, or threatens to, because Gavin now is considering his position.

“He shouldn’t have to be here to face keyboard warriors,” added Collier.

“I don’t think he’s got to justify himself in any way.

“There are things that he will admit that he could have done differently or better but everything he’s done is with the club’s best interests at heart.

“And if it wasn’t for Gavin I don’t think we’d be where we are now.”

Johnson, who is acting as interim Trust chairman following Malcolm Temple’s resignation last month, joined Collier in defending Foxall.

“I think people need to realise the personal distress that some of the abuse levelled towards individuals actually has domestically,” said Johnson.

Asked about Hopkins’ claims, he added: “Some of it is emotional and subjective and it’s fair to say it amounts to a difference of opinion.

“I don’t want to drag the argument further because I don’t think it does the football club any good at all and I don’t think it helps our employees or ourselves to push the club forward with continual progression off the field and on the field.

“I don’t think it’s at all helpful to the club and it’s not the way that we should be operating.”

Flynn also highlighted the amount of work that Foxall does for the club and questioned the need for board disagreements to be aired in public.

“Me and the chairman went down to Swansea City on Tuesday night to watch the Manchester United game as a guest of [Swans chairman] Huw Jenkins,” said Flynn.

“We managed to sort out and identify a couple of players that I would love to take on loan.

“And this was all organised by Alex [Tunbridge] and the chairman.

“Everything he does is for the good of the club.

“Why are we letting silly things distract from the good that is happening at the club?

“Without the fans we are nothing so we need to start thinking about the reputation of the football club when things are leaked.

“Why don’t we try to find out all the facts before we damage the club’s reputation?

“There are so many good things happening at this football club and we need to stick together.”