Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has apologised for branding a Blackpool fan "a retard.''
Oyston has come in for strong criticism over the last 36 hours after a series of texts he sent to supporter Stephen Smith were published on the Tangerine Knights' website.
He became embroiled in a furious row with Smith, branding him "a retard'' and telling him to ''enjoy the rest of your special needs day out.''
After being criticised by Blackpool fans and a number of organisations, Oyston responded by issuing an apology on the Blackpool website on Monday afternoon.
"I would like to unreservedly apologise for any offence or distress caused by my text responses reported in the media recently,'' Oyston said in a statement.
Oyston revealed he had received a number of abusive messages in recent weeks after his phone number was published online. He conceded he should not have responded to Smith with such language, however.
"I regret stooping to the level of those threatening and abusing my family,'' Oyston added. "My mobile number was placed on a social media website recently and it led to a barrage of abuse about my mother, father, wife, children and myself.
"In hindsight the aim of this was clear, and I foolishly opted to challenge some of the abuse, harassment and threats.
"Given my position, I should have acted with more responsibility and reported the abusive text messages, phone calls and answer phone messages to the police, rather than get embroiled in such an exchange.''
Oyston said he would make a donation to the club's Community Trust, which works with a number of organisations that support disabled people.
During the text exchange, it is said Oyston told Smith to ''f--- off back under whatever rock you reside under'' and called the supporter ''educationally subnormal'' and a ''sad act.''
He is further reported to have told Smith that he has banned him from the club's Bloomfield Road ground for being ''a p----."
Smith responded on Monday by calling on Oyston to resign
''It's quite important that the messages were released into the public domain,'' Smith told Sky Sports News. ''The wording and the political incorrectness that Karl put in the messages is damning.
''His reference to special needs and disabilities, as well as the generalised reference to Blackpool fans, is not befitting of anybody that runs a Football League club and certainly not someone who is a committee member of the Football League himself.
''It's poor form and it's quite clear that Karl should immediately resign as chairman of Blackpool Football Club and leave his position as a committee member of the Football League.''
Oyston's words angered Blackpool fan Steve Melrose, who has a 10-year-old autistic son.
Melrose told Press Association Sport: ''He is accusing fans of being retarded and having learning difficulties. I feel absolutely disgusted. I won't be going anywhere near the football ground until he has left.''
Chair of Blackpool Supporters' Trust Tim Fielding said the club's bond with its fans was now at breaking point.
''The relationship between the club and many of its fans is now untenable,'' Fielding said. ''We would support the Oystons if they could run the club in a responsible manner but recent evidence suggests they are not able to do so.
''I am astonished, really. It's quite remarkable. For the owner of a football club to say that is bad judgement. 'He is a flag-bearer for the town, for the club and the community. 'If anyone at my work had said those comments they would have been bounced straight out of the door.
''There is not a satisfactory explanation for it. 'It's a sad day for Blackpool Football Club.''
Oyston's weekly column in the Blackpool Gazette has been dropped by the newspaper.
Blackpool are currently bottom of the Championship and lost 6-1 at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.
In October fans staged a walkout in protest against Oyston's ownership and demonstrations are now likely to occur at Blackpool's next game -- away at Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day -- and during their home game against Rotherham two days later.
''I have yet to speak to my committee and the BST [Blackpool Supporters' Trust] membership, but based on the feedback I have had so far personally and from what I have seen on message boards, people are very angry,'' Fielding added. ''There could be a ground swell of reaction at the next home or away game.''
And anti-discrimination group Kick It Out also condemned Oyston.
''It's always disappointing wherever this type of language comes from, obviously it carries a greater degree of worry when it comes from the higher echelons,'' Kick It Out chair Lord Herman Ouseley said.
''Someone like Mr Oyston is supposed to set the standard and the tone for the organisation. And if that's the nature, conduct and views of the person who runs the club it suggests they are comfortable and content with such conduct which is unacceptable.
''There are lots of words used carelessly that are very insulting and offensive to disabled people. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, even if you are responding to someone abusing you.''