TOM HICKS has sent a defiant e-mail to another Liverpool supporter in the wake of his son resigning from the club’s board.

Tom Hicks Jnr yesterday chose to stand down as a director at Anfield after issuing a formal apology in the wake of sending an abusive message to a fan.

American co-owner Hicks was contacted yesterday by a Liverpool follower asking for clarification of manager Rafael Benitez’s transfer funds during the January window.

Hicks claimed any money raised from players sales would be used to service the club’s debt, but intimated there would not be any major incomings this month.

However, the Dallas-based businessman believes “the summer window will be big” and is convinced plans for the new stadium on Stanley Park remain on track.

“Our debt is very manageable and we never use player sales for debt service,” wrote Hicks. “Our interest on £200m is about £16m.

“The new stadium will be the game changer. Christian (Purslow) is working very hard on it. Jan(uary) is a poor quality market. The summer window will be big.”

Hicks Jnr has apologised for his “mistake” in sending an obscene e-mail to a supporter and resigned from the board of both the football club and parent company Kop Holdings yesterday morning.

But his departure will have no significance in relation to the positions of his father and co-owner George Gillett, who although willing to dilute their share are intent on retaining control at Anfield.