Nationwide Conference teams may face a large legal bill over Exeter City's decision to take the League to court over its proposed 12-point deduction.

This is worrying Conference chief executive John Moules, who has warned the 22 clubs that they may each have to find £25,000 to cover the cost of fighting the case.

Moules said: 'The case could have financial repercussions. We are working hard to minimise that.'

City decided to bring proceedings against the Conference to seek clarification as to whether or not the Conference can lawfully impose the football creditors' rule on clubs.

Moules said: 'They (Exeter) are placing the whole competition in jeopardy.'

'Clubs like Tamworth, Northwich and Leigh are fighting for their Conference existence and are now having to look at whether they can sign those extra two players they might need.'

Torquay United chairman Mike Bateson, while supporting the Grecians' case to avoid a 12-point deduction, has also voiced concern about the possibilty of clubs losing protected creditor status recently in the Sunday Independent.