Watford say they will be ‘fully defending’ the legal claim from former chief executive Mark Ashton who is attempting to sue the club’s parent company for more than £200,000.

Ashton is aiming to recuperate the £203,178.08 he claims Watford Leisure Plc owe him following his resignation in December last year.

The former West Bromwich Albion goalie, who was hired by Watford in 2004, claims he agreed a £300,000 payoff and that Watford have failed to give him two instalments of £100,000 in February and May, with the third due this month.

Ashton, of Pearl Lane, Astley Cross, Bewdley, is also seeking interest running at £43.84 a day His replacement Julian Winter said: “We can confirm that Watford Leisure Plc is fully defending the legal claim commenced by Mark Ashton relating to sums he believes are owed to him following his departure from the club.

“We have been advised by our lawyers that as this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to give any further comment on the case at this time.”