In a statement on X late on Sunday, Cutmore disputed claims made by Watford’s owner, Gino Pozzo, that the Supporters’ Board have not adequately represented fans, and questioned the club's transparency.

“The last few days have been particularly challenging,” he admitted. “As a board, we have worked tirelessly to achieve our objectives and represent the interests of supporters. 

“However, throughout this process we have faced criticism from sections of the fan base, the club, and now the owner himself."

He added: “It is all very well for Gino Pozzo to suggest that more needs to be done by the Supporters' Board, but meaningful progress requires accessibility and engagement from all parties, including Gino Pozzo himself. 

“It has taken a year, simply to get Scott Duxbury in the room, which in itself reflects the difficulties we have faced in trying to establish productive dialogue.

“The club and its owner have repeatedly spoken about transparency. However, I am not convinced that this commitment has always been reflected by those within the club.”

In a statement provided to the Watford Observer, the Watford Supporters' Board thanked Cutmore for his contributions to the group.

"The Supporters Board is very sad to see Steve leave," they admitted, "But fully respects his decision.

"We’d particularly like to thank him for his contribution to the statement on the accounts, which was praised by the club, and for the important role he played in getting the Board up and running. His support has been greatly appreciated by all members."

Cutmore’s decision, and subsequent rebuttal, is in response to comments made by Pozzo during a meeting with Roy Moore, founder of the 1881 Movement, on Friday.

Midway through the two-hour unedited conversation, posted on Friday evening, Pozzo discussed the need for transparency and alleged that the Supporters’ Board have not sufficiently enabled this.

"We should have a way to communicate better," Pozzo insisted. "I’ve addressed that with Scott [Duxbury], because I received this when it escalated, and I’m like, ‘Why did it get to this point? Why haven’t we addressed this earlier?’

“Now, I understand that there is the Supporters' Board there, which should do this kind of function of connecting. I understand that people inside the club, especially Scott, have been dedicating a lot of time to this interaction, to explain and give all the information that we’re required to.

“But for some reason, this has not been transmitted to the outside. To my knowledge, I’ve had no requests. Before this meeting, there was no adverse communication coming out saying, ‘Oh, the club is not transparent, we don’t have this information!’."

Pozzo continued to accuse the Supporters' Board of not making the most of opportunities to put questions to the club.

“My understanding is that all the questions raised were answered [in September],” Pozzo insisted. “All the issues you raise are from before September, so all of these questions should have been asked then.

“So if you don’t feel that a group represents all fans, we can add more people to the board, even if formally it is closed, because I understand there are some rules; it is institutional.

“But I would welcome people who want to participate and represent the group of fans, because I think transparency would go a long way.

“I think you [the Supporters' Board] need to address that, because I cannot communicate directly to every fan, every day.”

This all follows a week of uproar online, in the wake of two thrashings suffered by Watford which, at the time, left the Hornets in the Championship’s relegation zone.

Although the club have now climbed back out of the drop zone, courtesy of an excellent 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic on Saturday, discontent over the club’s ownership has persisted online.

A Watford fan holding a 'Pozzo Out' sign at Vicarage Road. (Image: Jak Netting)

Such dismay did not translate from social media to Vicarage Road, however, with three proposed protests on Saturday receiving no more than a handful of participants.

When approached for comment, Watford reaffirmed their commitment to the supporters' board and said that the Chairman and Chief Executive, Scott Duxbury, had agreed to meet with them next month.

“The club has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to an independent supporters’ board by progressively facilitating its formation and providing infrastructural support well in advance of and regardless of it becoming a mandatory licensing condition next season," they said.

“Official, minuted meetings have been held at Vicarage Road and the training ground with senior club officials, including most recently with the Chairman & Chief Executive, the Legal Director and the Sporting Director.

“The Supporters Board has had and continues to have daily access to club officials, including and not restricted to dialogue on the morning of games, attendance at their fortnightly online meetings, advance notice of key club announcements and email dialogue on financial matters with the Chairman & Chief Executive.

“Indeed, last month, well before the unexpected open letter published by the 1881 Movement, the entire supporters board were invited to the training ground following the end of the transfer window and had the opportunity over the course of a two-hour meeting to ask any questions on any topics of senior club officials, including Scott Duxbury.

“The Chairman & Chief Executive confirmed he would attend the next meeting with the supporters board in November.

“Furthermore, prior to the meeting with the owner and Roy Moore on Friday, the club also confirmed in writing to the chairman of the supporters’ board the owner is committed to meeting the supporters board.

“The club takes its commitment to meeting the Independent Football Regulator requirements extremely seriously and will begin applying for the IFR license next month, when the application process opens.

“We fully recognise the value of an independent, healthy and transparent relationship with the supporters board - and indeed all of our supporters - and look forward to the next official meeting next month.

“We are aware members of the board are due for re-election, and we welcome any replacements selected by the supporters.”