Town MD Ian Milne says he sees positives in the Football League’s proposal which would see a new structure of five divisions - including the Premier League - and an expansion to 100 teams, but says much discussion is required before such a move is made.

The move would see the Championship and the divisions below cut to 20 teams, reducing the number of midweek fixtures.

Football League clubs are set to talk about a discussion document when they meet for a two-day conference in Portugal in June and during next season. A final decision is expected to be made in June 2017 with 90 per cent of the current clubs having to be in agreement.

“In principle the idea is good and would declutter a very crowded fixture schedule,” Milne told the club site.

“It would allow the fans, particularly our young ones, to attend matches throughout the season rather than miss matches in midweek because of school or work commitments.

“We would have to understand all the financial implications and we would also seek the opinions of the club’s supporters before deciding on our stance, but we welcome the proposals for discussion.”

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

casanovacrow added 12:56 - May 20 Clubs would love the idea, season ticket holders will pay the same price for less games no doubt.
7

GiveusaWave added 13:07 - May 20 Quite like the mid-week fixtures to be honest, breaks up the monotony of the week.
13

MattinLondon added 13:13 - May 20 Pardon my ignorance but will the extra eight clubs be the top eight non-league clubs or will they be premier league u21 teams?
0

Mark added 13:14 - May 20 I am not so keen, and I am totally against Premier League B teams or Scottish teams entering the Football League. Dropping from 23 to 19 league games would effectively be a 21% price rise per game for season ticket holders assuming the season ticket price did not drop (which I cannot believe it would). I enjoy Tuesday nights under the floodlights, although I take the point it is difficult for those who travel in further and young children. I suppose if we dropped to 38 league games we might take the cups a bit more seriously, but then again maybe not.

3

BlueKush added 13:46 - May 20 It ain't broke so let's fix it...
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 14:50 - May 20 The extra teams will be made up of the 2 teams that would go town at the end of the campaign plus the top 6 from the conference as I understand it
1

brian_a_mul added 15:24 - May 20 It would be better for clubs with smaller squads: less games= less injuries and better performances. Adequate rest between games is vital for younger players to recover and develop. If we are looking to a develop squad from Academy players than a few less games would be very beneficial for that model. It would also reduce the amount of travel the squad must do on the team bus for away games.

1

essextractorboy93 added 15:42 - May 20 What an awful idea this is. Less games for fans and no midweek games under the lights. I'm sure this is someway for the Premier League to introduce "B teams" into the Football League too. The financial impact on clubs lower down the pyramid could be damaging. The Championship is one of the most exciting leagues in the world. What is the point of changing it? Saturday/Tuesday games are part of it! Also if Celtic or Rangers join the English leagues they would surely have to start from the lowest level of non league? They have no right to just be allowed higher up the pyramid. Just leave it how it is! Majority of fans don't want this

3

Taricco_Fan added 15:51 - May 20 Season ticket prices will remain static despite four less matches to attend. A win-win for bigger clubs but I can see smaller clubs having to raise season and matchday ticket prices because they sorely rely on gate receipts.
1

yorksblue added 16:39 - May 20 Would rather see reintroduction of combination and se counties leagues
2

NormEmerges added 17:00 - May 20 If they do this - and it sounds a good idea - I'd really like to see promotion and relegation this way: - top two from say League 2 promoted automatically - bottom two from League 1 relegated automatically - club 3 from League 2 in playoff with club 18 from League 1 - club 4 from League 2 in playoff with club 17 from League 1 This would eliminate the cruelties of a club finishing third being pipped by the club finishing 6th just because of one bad game or injuries/luck on the night. And stop gripes by Premier League that the relegated clubs are better than the promoted clubs!

0

Seasider added 18:26 - May 20 Interesting, hopefully mean that ITFC would once again take the cup games more seriously,which hasn't happened since McCarthy's been here.
1

blue75 added 20:27 - May 20 Can't beat a good game under the lights!! Shame I can't remember the last good one.
2

flashblue added 07:15 - May 21 For those of you arguing there would be less games, you are just plain wrong.
-4

Daleyitfc added 17:04 - May 21 Far better to scrap the failed experiment that is the Premier League and go back to what we had pre 1992. And restore proper European competitions too, rather than the tedious Champions League (which isn't) while we're about it.
0

SamWhiteUK added 09:33 - May 23 flashblue - Please enlighten us all as to how you come to that conclusion.
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rickw added 10:07 - May 23 I like the Tuesday night games - I find them easier to get to than Saturday matches. Football league clubs don't need to worry about matches, I understand the top of the Premier league when they're in both cups a long way and with 20+ Europa/CL matches it all adds up. We have 46 league matches and what an average of 4 cup matches too - it's not too many and doesn't need to be reduced!

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