By Paul Holmes
September 16 2002

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor has suggested a controversial way of easing the financial crisis in the Nationwide League. Speaking to the Sunday Express, Taylor said the Football League should sell one of its promotion places to the Football League.

He believes that the Premier League value their places so highly that they would be willing to pay up to £100million for the place. The move would mean that only 2 teams gain promotion from the Nationwide Division 1 to the Premier League each season.

"The Premier League should want to avoid one of their members being relegated," said Taylor.

"They have seen how hard-hit clubs like Derby and Leicester have been since they were relegated.

"But the price of a relegated club from the Premiership would be high, as high as £100m.

"We would be talking about only £5m per Premiership club and that would make a massive difference to the League's finances after the collapse of ITV Digital.

"The League would be left with one automatic place and then could extend the play-offs for the second spot."

The suggestion is likely to be met with heavy opposition but Taylor feels that as radical as the suggestion is, feels it is the only way to restructure the league.

"I put the idea forward to the League and was surprised no-one had even given the suggestion consideration," he said.

"It is radical but the League is in urgent need of restructuring.

"I see the Premier League as being the only possible saviours of the League with this plan, which is in both their interests."