New chairman Clive Ricks has suffered a vote of no confidence in the latest bombshell to rock the MP Sports Cherwell League.

Ricks had tried to calm the stormy waters since a gang of nine of his fellow executive members were left gobsmacked when clubs voted him in as chairman at the annual meeting in November.

But at just the second executive meeting since he took over at the helm, Ricks was stunned to hear Don Brooks, leader of the rebel executive members, put forward a motion of no confidence in him.

It was carried 7-1, with secretary Peter Tomlin, treasurer Jim Lodge, fixture secretary John Pearson, Tariq Mehmood, Graham Stearn and Ken White joining Brooks in the revolt.

David Pryor opposed the motion, while Stephen Brain, a former member of the gang of nine, abstained, seemingly distancing him from the rebels.

Dick Giles, a Ricks supporter, and Mick Boyden, another of the rebels, were both absent.

It’s understood Brooks then followed up by proposing an extraordinary general meeting should be held at which clubs will vote on a choice of executive committee – either Ricks & Co or the gang of eight rebels and a co-opted chairman.

A date has yet to be confirmed, but Monday, February 7 is the favourite, with the venue to be decided.

Ricks admitted to being taken aback by the vote of no confidence.

“I didn’t anticipate it,” he said. “It could have been avoided, to my mind.

“Anyone reading the minutes of the first meeting would know it was not a particularly pleasant experience.

“On the other hand, I was happy to give it a go and win people over.

“I was surprised and disappointed that was the route they decided to take.

“A number of clubs, with the rules situation, were considering pushing for an EGM, so the fact that it has brought things to a head is no bad thing.”

But Ricks denied that the latest dramatic development had plunged the league into turmoil.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “It is not a good position for us to be in, but whatever route the clubs decide to take, I can guarantee that any group I put together could run the league.”

Ricks will look to recruit potential new executive members.

But he didn’t rule out working with some of the rebel members on the executive.

“I want to leave three or four positions open,” he added. “If people on the current executive want to carry on I would be delighted to have them on board.”

Brooks and Tomlin were unavailable to comment.