The problems of Morris Motors Social Club deepened after its chairman was declared bankrupt.

The bankruptcy order applies to Tom Doliamie as an individual, but his opponents are now seeking to have him disqualified from his position as chairman.

The order was made in Oxford County Court on February 17, but was only made public last week in a list of bankruptcies published in the Oxford Mail's sister newspaper The Oxford Times.

The bankruptcy lasts until February 2006.

John Saunders, of the Insolvency Service in Reading, said the order related to a £10,000 debt to Fine Lady Bakeries for Mr Doliamie's business delivering bread to Oxford colleges.

Mr Doliamie did not appear in court to oppose the order and has been asked to attend a meeting. He has three opportunities to turn up, but if he does not, a warrant could be issued for his arrest.

He told the Oxford Mail: "It's very strange. Someone at the club told me about the notice in The Oxford Times and I am trying to find out more details from the receiver.

"It seems that they will try to use anything negative against me personally. It is a very strange position to find yourself in.

"I am sure that I am going to find the details and resolve the issue."

He said he would call the Oxford Mail again after he had spoken to the receiver, but did not respond to further phone calls as we went to press.

Club members have been at loggerheads since last year about how the club's sports land should be developed for housing.

Roy Fraser, a member of the committee suspended by Mr Doliamie when the row erupted last year, said "We will have to report this to the Financial Services Authority because if you are bankrupt you cannot hold a position on a board.

"We will be seeking to inform the FSA about the situation."

But a spokesman for the authority, Robin Gordon-Walker, said: "We have no powers to remove individuals -- all we can do is suspend a society or cancel its registration."