Law has been U's chairman since January 2008

Cambridge United chairman Phil Law has hit back at fans calling for his resignation at a recent fans' forum.

Law has come in for criticism following director Norman Gautrey's decision to step down from the U's board.

Law told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "I was shocked and saddened by the whole tone of the fans' forum.

"There are a couple of malevolent forces that are underpinning all of this and I've got a good idea who they are and I think the board have too."

Law became U's chairman following the departure of Lee Power in January, but has come under increasing pressure to stand down from his position in recent weeks.

Gautrey's exit is the latest in a stream of bad press for Law including confusion over a pre-season friendly with local rivals Cambridge City and the proposed transfer of midfielder Ben Farrell to Histon.

Law, however, has denied being the cause of Gautrey's surprise departure from the club.

"It's a disappointment to me and to the board as a whole, he's worked tirelessly and he'll certainly be a loss to us."

606: DEBATE What do you think of Phil Law's time as U's chairman?

The image of the U's chairman has also been tainted in the eyes of many fans owing to a perceived conflict between his business interests and his work at the Abbey, but Law does not think that should be a concern.

"People will know I don't try and hide any links that I have and I think it's all above board and out in the open.

"If fans choose to be misled and want to be misinformed by other people, then perhaps that's the cause of it."