The new directors are all members of the Exeter City Supporters Trust

The three are all prominent members of the Exeter City Supporters Trust and have already been installed as club directors.

Trust chairman Ian Huxham, chief executive Terry Pavey, and Julian Tagg, have joined City chairman John Russell and vice-chairman Mike Lewis on the club's board of directors.

They were appointed directors after a meeting on 19 May.

Negotiating handover

The three believe the key to saving the club could be the possible backing of Exeter City Council.

Mr Russell and Mr Lewis are now negotiating the complete handover, and are expected to stand down as directors within days.

The pair took the decision to quit the club after just 12 months in charge.

It follows City's relegation to the Conference League and the recent arrest of Mr Russell and Mr Lewis following complaints of financial irregularities.

They have been bailed to report back to Exeter police in September.

Both strenuously deny the claims, and Mr Russell described the arrests as "an absolute joke".

As part of the handover of power, the club's biggest shareholder Ivor Doble is likely to be asked to hand his shareholding over to the trust.