Plans to restructure the Football League into four divisions "have been met with disapproval by club chairmen," according to the LONDON TIMES. The proposals were announced by Football League CEO Shaun Harvey, who wants to create four divisions of 20 teams below the Premier League in time for the '19-20 season, "increasing the number of league clubs in England from 92 to 100." The intention is to "alleviate fixture congestion by cutting down on midweek matches but many clubs fear they will be financially hamstrung by losing four home games a season." League One side Bradford City joint-Chair Mark Lawn said, "We’ve had this structure for years because it has suited the majority of clubs, so why change it? ... 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." League Two side Accrington Stanley Owner Andrew Holt said that he "saw no merit in the Football League's strategy, and predicted it would be costly to his League Two outfit." Holt: "I don’t recognize 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 recognize it as having any sense." Clubs will vote on the changes in June '17 and a 90% approval rate, or 65 of the current 72 clubs, "is required to get the go-ahead" (LONDON TIMES, 5/20). In London, Louise Taylor reported there has, in some quarters, "been a cautious welcome to the idea." League Championship side Ipswich Town Managing Dir Ian Milne said, "In principle the idea is good and would declutter a very crowded fixture schedule. But we would have to understand all the financial implications." National League side Wrexham CEO Don Bircham knows that "his club could benefit form a potentially easier return to the Football League but is worried about falling revenues at the turnstiles." He said, "If we were still in the National League it could represent an opportunity for us. But, weighing everything up, I think I may prefer to have the league structure as it is -- although with us in it." An "awful lot of lobbying, consulting and negotiating will need to be done" before '19 -- the earliest date changes could be implemented and a League Three introduced (GUARDIAN, 5/20). The PA reported 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." Harvey said, "Potentially, in the first year, of course. But thereafter your percentage chance of promotion is increased with four less teams. There's always going to be that first year where that particular set of circumstances will prevail" (PA, 5/20).
