Former Watford chief executive Mark Ashton is suing the Hornets’ parent company Watford Leisure PLC for more than £200,000.

Ashton claims he agreed a £300,000 payoff following his resignation on December 11 last year but accuses his former employers of failing to make two payments of £100,000 in February and May, with the third due this month.

Ashton, whose departure came less than two weeks after former chairman Graham Simpson resigned, is suing Watford Leisure PLC for the money owed as well as interest - bringing his claim to £203,178.08.

The former West Bromwich Albion goalie is also seeking interest running at £43.84 a day.

Ashton, of Pearl Lane, Astley Cross, Bewdley, joined Watford in 2004 but resigned in December following Simpson’s surprise resignation at the club’s EGM.

On February 12, Ashton became chief executive at nearby Wycombe Wanderers and joined the board of rugby union club London Wasps, who share the Adams Park ground in Wycombe.

However, Ashton resigned from both positions just four months later stating he felt it was time to “do something different”.