Angry Watford lay down the law with local paper

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With the Russo brothers still bristling after their eviction from the club's board, an incendiary letter from former finance director Steve Simmons criticising chairman Graham Simpson's regime has appeared in the Watford Observer.

Stormy: these are turbulent times at Vicarage Road

A related article - containing Simmons's observations on the Russo bust-up and other matters - has so angered Simpson and chief executive Mark Ashton that Watford are suing both the ex-employee and the paper.

The Watford Observer traditionally has strong ties with Vicarage Road but plans to fight the action.

Simmons is of a similar mind and has engaged libel lawyers Carter Ruck.

Simpson said: "The article made sweeping, damaging and inaccurate allegations which seriously questioned the integrity of our club and its directors."

Although Simpson heads the board, Watford's biggest shareholder is Lord Ashcroft, who is no stranger to libel actions, having previously fought a successful battle against The Times.