LEICESTER: Leicestershire chairman Neil Davidson accused captain Matthew Hoggard and coach Tim Boon of setting a "very poor example" after they signed a letter calling on him to quit his position.

Davidson has been accused of interfering in team affairs, a charge that led former Leicestershire chief executive David Smith to resign, citing constructive dismissal.

But Davidson, who had a private meeting with former Yorkshire and England swing bowler Hoggard on Monday, insisted Tuesday his conduct was not the issue.

Instead he focused on the delivery of a letter from Boon and Hoggard which is said to be on behalf of all the players.

"I think really the way the senior coach unfortunately got the captain into this and the senior players is setting a very poor example to our fine young players about how they should behave at a cricket club," Davidson told Sky Sports.

"I like Matthew immensely it but I don`t think he`s thought this one through," said Davidson of the seamer, who joined the Midlands club before the start of this season.

"I think Matthew has found himself in a very difficult position.

"I think the current situation is unsustainable so we`ll see how it all pans out."

Davidson added: "I don`t interfere on a week-to-week basis, day-to-day basis, it`s when we lose matches we should win and we lost all our home games in Twenty20 this year bar one which was rained off.

"We`ve won two CB 40 games so far this season, we`ve lost twice to Scotland, we`ve lost by nine wickets to Afghanistan.

"The performances just aren`t good enough and these are revenue-generating areas of the club and for a small county we can`t afford to underperform.

"We`ve got one of the best set of youngsters in the country and I`m raising questions about the ability of the management to get the best out of those players."

Davidson was appointed chairman at the end of 2003 and Smith was the sixth chief executive to leave the club in his time in the role.

Leicestershire are currently sixth out nine teams in the Second Division of England`s first-class County Championship.

BDST: 2145HRS, August 24, 2010