Gillian Russell, wife of chairman John Russell, was Exeter City’s cashier during the ill-fated 2002/03 campaign. She was later charged with a series of wrongdoings but was found not guilty.

After the end of their time at St James’ Park John Russell, Mike Lewis and Gillian Russell were arrested and charged with a series of offences relating to their involvement with Exeter City. Mr Lewis and Mr Russell pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, giving financial assistance towards the acquisition of the company's own shares and fraudulent trading.

Mrs Russell, of Brighouse in West Yorkshire, was cleared of false accounting and the theft of £20,000 from Exeter City Football Club during the period between February 2002 and May 2003.