Chesterfield chairman and director Dave Allen has resigned from both positions, the club have announced.
Allen had previously been Chesterfield chief executive but took over as chairman in 2012 to help the club out of financial difficulty.
Chesterfield finished top of League Two in 2011 and 2014 but currently sit bottom of League One, with only 12 points from 17 games.
Allen announced his decision to step down at the club's AGM on Monday.
He said: "At this point, I must inform you that as of now, I resign as chairman and director of Chesterfield Football Club.
"At the outset, I never intended to become the chairman. I was just an investor who wanted to see the club progress and get into the Championship. It was then my plan to sell on the investment.
BREAKING NEWS: Dave Allen has announced at the club's AGM that he has resigned as chairman and director.
- Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) November 14, 2016
"I took over as chairman because the previous incumbent sat at the end of the boardroom table and said after one meeting that unless I put a further £600,000 into the club, they could not carry on.
"The reason I'm resigning is because at the board meeting held this afternoon, I suggested that all the directors should not seek repayment of loans and waive any interest until such time as the club is in a position to pay it.
"The interest alone amounts to just over £150,000 per annum, so it would be a considerable saving. By the way, over the last couple of years, I've put in an extra £1.9m, for which I personally have not taken any interest at all.
"It is a sad day for me, but I can't carry on like this. I wish you all the best."