Chester boss Bobby Williamson has accused the internet forums around the club of hounding Stephen Vaughan out of the Chairmanship.
Vaughan told the Evening Leader: "Websites provide an opportunity for faceless people to write messages. I've always advised people not to read the websites because they are an unnecessary evil. In this day and age people should come forward and put their name to these messages instead of trying to hide. Any criticism targeted at Stephen Vaughan is unjustified and I find it incredible that people can criticise someone who has kept the club alive."
Williamson, who is yet to speak to Vaughan about his departure, admitted that the future without his money would be bleak: "I'm very disappointed that Stephen Vaughan has decided to step off the Board of Directors because he is the catalyst as far as I am concerned and he has been responsible for moving the club forward.
"The gates at Chester don't sustain the club's finances, so Stephen Vaughan has to put money into the club every other month to keep the club afloat."
The gates at Chester this season have fluctuated wildly, from 3,430 for the Bulls visit to the 1,858 that watched Barnet, but are up 300 on average compared to last season. However neither of the last two home games has seen 2,000 home supporters through the gates.