FL aiming to join 100 club

Chief executive Neil Joy

FOOTBALL League clubs have railed against chief executive Shaun Harvey's proposals to introduce a new division.

Harvey wants to create four divisions of 20 teams below the Premier League in time for the 2019-20 season, increasing the number of professional clubs in England from 92 to 100.

Harvey believes this will alleviate fixture congestion by cutting down on midweek matches.

But many clubs fear they will be financially hit by losing four home games a season.

Bradford joint-chairman Mark Lawn told Press Association Sport: "We've had this structure for years, because it has suited the majority of clubs, so why change it?

"Why? What they don't understand is that currently we have 23 home games. We need the crowds. We don't get the money Championship clubs get.

"Losing four home games means we lose four incomes. It's not so bad for us but for teams like Accrington and York that's a lot of money. It's ridiculous."

Accrington owner Andrew Holt said he saw no merit in the Football League's strategy.

He said: "I don't recognise it as a sensible plan. We want more games. We'd rather play 50 home games.

"We need revenue. We don't want to lose any games. I don't recognise it as having any sense.

"Our players will play as many games as we want. We pay them an annual salary; we want them to play games. We need the revenue."

As far as Athletic are concerned, clearly it's still early days with regard to what their stance will be.

SportsDirect.com Park chief executive Neil Joy said: "The proposals put forward by the Football League merit serious consideration by all who have a stake in the game, including supporters, and Oldham Athletic will seek views from all its stakeholders before contributing to the debate."

Clubs will vote on the changes in June 2017 and a 90-per-cent approval rate, or 65 of the current 72 clubs, is required to get the go-ahead.

Although League One and Two clubs fear the financial implications, the biggest obstacle facing Harvey is likely to be persuading Championship clubs to vote, like turkeys for Christmas, in favour of the changes ­- even though the plan would likely see seven of them relegated in 2019.

"Potentially, in the first year, of course," said Harvey. "But thereafter your percentage chance of promotion is increased with four less teams.

"We are looking at change for 2019-20 so clubs have plenty of time to see this coming. We have to resolve how relegation and promotion would be dealt with in the lead-up to that."

Harvey ruled out the possibility of Premier League clubs fielding so-called 'B' teams in the lower divisions, but they could be involved in a revamped Football League Trophy.

The Football League had consisted of four national divisions since 1958, when Divisions Three North and South were merged.