Sir Elton John is known for his fierce temper and, yesterday, he gave both barrels to those running Watford football club, the love of his life, resorting to characteristic Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting mode as he launched into the club’s directors.

The volatile singer, who is playing concerts in Canada on the latest stop of his world tour, has not been impressed by Watford’s stuttering start to the season. They lost 3-2 away to Burnley on Tuesday evening and are 21st in the Coca-Cola Championship.

In a statement, he said: “As a lifelong fan and former chairman of Watford, I feel I must now express my deep dismay about what is happening at the club. First, I should make it clear that the manager [Adrian Boothroyd] and the players have my full support. However, it is clear that the playing staff has been left threadbare after the sale of leading players over the last year or so and, even now, I understand that there are still plans for further player sales in January.

“The chairman [Graham Simpson] and leading shareholders have made it clear that they wish to sell the club and this comes despite a profit of nearly £8 million having been made last year. We know from other clubs that when stability and confidence go then there is a danger of plummeting into freefall. I fear we could be facing that catastrophe.

“Voices other than my own have already asked the question of what has happened to the money from the sale of some of our best players and the parachute payments. Confidence must be brought back to the playing staff and a sense that there is a future at the club. If the directors do not have that optimism, then they should go.”

Simpson was taken aback by the attack but attempted to calm the temper tantrum of the club’s honorary life president. “I’m sorry Sir Elton didn’t come to talk to me first as, contrary to his beliefs, the club’s finances are in good shape,” he said. “However, it is no secret that we are either looking to sell the club or to find investment.”