THE dispute between former coach Grant Thomas and St Kilda president Rod Butterss has worsened, with the pair now unable to meet face-to-face to resolve their public differences.

Although Thomas would not comment on the matter last night, The Age believes he is extremely aggrieved at comments made by Butterss on radio this week and has consulted his lawyers regarding a possible libel action or other legal remedy.

This week, Butterss told radio station SEN that Thomas was exerting negative influence over the club, suggesting that the deposed coach was too close to some players.

That was followed yesterday by further suggestions, attributed to Butterss, that the former coach was intruding on the club's relationship with sponsor Bill Express.

Yesterday, Butters said he had telephoned Thomas, offering to meet him and resolve the ugly spat. Butterss told The Age Thomas had refused to meet him.

"I put in a phone call to him. I spoke to him personally and offered for us to meet," Butters said. "He declined that and I said the offer is open 24/7. Just call me and I'm ready to meet."

It is believed the pair were unable to agree on terms and a location for a face-to-face meeting to sort out their differences.

Butterss said that during the telephone call, he restated personally to Thomas the request made on radio to stay away from the club, its sponsors and players. "I certainly reiterated to him that he should get on with his life," Butterss said.

Asked about Thomas' response, Butterss replied: "You don't want to know. Let's just say it wasn't positive."

Relations between the former close friends have been frosty for several years but deteriorated after Butterss' board sacked Thomas at the end of last year. The pair already are embroiled in a legal dispute, with Butterss suing Thomas in the Supreme Court for $1.1 million that he says is owed to him from a loan that was never repaid.

Thomas said he did not wish to comment publicly about the dispute.