Expert believes Oystons are divided over way forward for Blackpool FC

In the filing history of 11 Oyston-owned businesses at Companies House, Karl is no longer listed as director.

Among the list of firms are Segesta Properties Ltd, Oyston Estates Ltd, Claughton Hall (Bisons) Ltd, Quernmore Park Hall (Events & Weddings) Ltd and Zabaxe Ltd.

Zabaxe was the Oyston-owned company that received £11m after Blackpool’s season in the Premier League – described as a “salary” by Karl at the time.

It is unclear whether Karl has resigned from the companies or has been removed.

Karl and his son Sam are no longer directors of the Blackpool FC Hotel, according to Companies House.

Sam, who has been in charge of the day-to-day running of the hotel, was appointed a director on January 12 only to be removed on January 23. Owen has now become a director.

This comes after Karl left his director’s role at Closelink Ltd, another family company, last week.

Maguire, a senior teacher in accountancy at the University of Liverpool and the man behind the PriceOfFootball Twitter account, told The Gazette: “I suspect it has something to do with a family feud.

“Karl Oyston has probably had enough of the football club and is trying to distance himself from it all.

“There’s certainly some sort of conflict and it appears they’re trying to go their separate ways. That’s the view from the outside.

“But it all comes down to whether the Oystons can make the payments to Valeri Belokon (a further £10m is due by next Wednesday). If they can’t, then the judge could appoint a receiver.

“I had a look at some of their companies and it is noticeable that while Karl was a director of Closelink Ltd, the shares were actually split between his dad and a couple of others.

“Owen is not stupid, so I would imagine he’s taken legal advice and convened board meetings.

“The notion of there being a family feud is one that is hard to ignore when you consider Owen’s daughter Natalie was appointed to the club’s board. That was a bit strange.

“So my gut reaction is that Karl is just fed up of it all and wants to pay Belokon off before moving on, whereas it seems Owen is prepared to dig his heels in.”

It follows rumours that Owen and Karl are at loggerheads over the future direction of Blackpool Football Club.

It is understood relations have completely broken down between the two, with Owen wanting to keep control of the club while Karl is reportedly prepared to wash his hands of it.

The Gazette understands Owen was completely unaware of the decision to remove Alex Cowdy as the club’s chief executive this month.

Karl’s son Sam has since been appointed to the role of CEO, much to the dismay of Blackpool’s fanbase.

The move was followed by the appointment of Owen’s daughter Natalie Christopher as a club director.