The club is facing a civil war in Yorkshire that could push it past the ECB deadline to retain international matches at Headingley this year. Lord Patel’s challengers are challenging the legality and legitimacy of the whole process.

At a two-time rescheduled EGM, members were asked to vote on several agenda items. This included the rubber stamping of Patel’s chair and other governance demands made last November by the governing body in the wake the Azeem Rafiq racist scandal.

An email that Robin Smith, his predecessor, sent to Patel and was seen by the Mail On Sunday – and which was also copied by Barry O’Brien, chief executive of the ECB – casts doubt upon the validity and legitimacy of such decisions on the deadline date, even if the required voting majority has been reached.

Smith believes that Patel should only be allowed to become Yorkshire chairman if he follows the rules of the club. He also recommends that Patel not run for office unless a board has been established.

Smith, who was chair of Yorkshire from 2018 to 2020, stated that it is not appropriate to conclude or state publicly that these problems are only the concern of a small minority of trouble-makers.

‘Only the contrary, they are shared and supported by a large number members, many of which have phoned me over recent weeks to voice their disgust at the ECB threat, and their support for those who insist that the club and ECB follow the law.

“Let me also tell you that Yorkshire cricket is deeply concerned about your actions, especially the summary dismissal of 16 loyal and unassigned people who have been wrongly branded racists and rendered ineligible for their chosen professions.

“Countless Yorkshire members don’t want to be associated with this brutal and unjustified episode.”

‘Regarding the ECB’s threat of suspending Test matches, this threat was made under illegal DCMS pressure and has questionable legal validity. We need more information.

‘Members should know the contractual and other obligations owed to Yorkshire by the ECB under the County Partnership Agreement, and in general, if there was a threat.

“They are also entitled to be informed by the ECB the amount of compensation due to the club as a result of the execution of its unlawful threat.

In an email to members this week, Paul Hudson, the acting chief executive, urged that Patel and his position be ratified to end the “potential paralysis” of the board. The financial stability of a club with PS20million in debt would be added.

Hudson wrote, “Many of our sponsors had ceased their relationship with us last year during the crisis. Now they are looking to return together with some completely different sponsors who have approached them.”

“Obviously, the sponsors’ return and sponsorship levels will be affected by the international cricket return to Headingley.

Smith retorted, telling Patel that consent obtained by wrongful duress was legally null and unenforceable. This will be quickly apparent if you persist with your proposals.

“Let me be clear, I for one cannot rest until I am certain that the club is being run lawfully according to its rules.

“I see only continued strife ahead, including resorting to the courts, unless a course can be found that respects the law, club’s rules, and traditions of excellence and which treats Yorkshire as if it were a first-class county.”

Smith demanded more transparency from Patel in his pleas for transparency. He asked Patel to disclose how much he was earning as a salary, and why eight independent directors would be better suited to serve on a board with a new look than the members.

He also mentioned such radical changes proposed by him: “Perhaps the most important thing of all, a board consisting of a majority of non members will not understand the pride, passion, and role of the club at the pinnacle among more than 800 Yorkshire cricket clubs.

“Your proposals transfer the club’s enduring control to outsiders. This is not right in principle, as it is essential to a members club that its members have democratic control.

This principle is the core of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Guidance Code for cooperative societies (the club in law is a cooperative society). Your rule changes will be rejected by the FCA for registration. Rules that are not registered will never be effective.

After being adjudged to be mishandling Rafiq’s allegations of racism and bullying during his two spells at Headingley, multiple ECB sanctions were imposed on Yorkshire.

Rafiq was found guilty of seven out 43 allegations by an independent investigator last year. He later settled for PS200,000 with Patel, after failing to settle his legal dispute through judicial mediation.

Yorkshire will also have to pay a seven-figure sum to their ex-executive, while they are facing the possibility of having to pay out millions more in wrongful dismissal claims.

A preliminary hearing has been set for May 6 to hear the cases of four of the 16 people fired last December, including Andrew Gale, former head coach. The Leeds Employment Tribunal will then decide whether or not to accept two additional cases this week.