Clubs propose League overhaul

Now they want Burns to go and a new management structure set up to ensure the same mistakes aren't made in the future.

The KPMG report was commissioned by Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis and Watford's vice chairman Haig Oundjian. Its findings were presented to a meeting of First Division clubs and the League's board last month.

It concludes that the League's current structure is impractical and cannot possibly work and recommends that the First Division should be given more power. It also proposes that a new board of directors should be set up to run the Football League with independent executives to represent each of the three divisions.

The report says the current shortterm method of electing representatives to serve on the board undermines continuity as clubs are continually moving around the divisions.

It does not, surprisingly, call for a new organisation of the competition with regionalisation or more part-time players.

League chairman Keith Harris, who is likely to be given the opportunity to carry on tomorrow, has already indicated he wants to see change if he does keep his job. He said: "It's fair to say as chairman you take ultimate responsibility-Equally if people want me to stay I am not one to walk away from a mess. And if I stay there will have to be some changes in the way the business is run going forward.

"I want to see shorter player contracts, a more realistic attitude from players' union the PFA on wages, regionalisation for division two and three and smaller divisions as well. I want to see more part-time players and probably fewer clubs and expand the play-offs to increase interest."

Those proposals might go too far for most First Division clubs but Harris's willingness to reform will be welcomed. One chairman said Harris will be encouraged to adopt the KPMG report if he does stay on.