League plan concerns Lancs pair

Derek Shaw became permanent Preston North End chairman in 2002

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce and Preston chairman Derek Shaw have both voiced concerns over proposals for a two-tier English Premier League.

The plan, originally suggested by Bolton chairman Phil Gartside, could be discussed at the league's Annual General Meeting in June.

"Like most chairmen you're very conscious of your own football club," Shaw told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"But the more you think you've got to consider the rest of the league clubs."

Allardyce, who was once in charge at Rovers' neighbours North End himself as caretaker boss in 1992, also expressed fears over the wider impact the proposal would have on clubs outside the top two divisions.

"This plan may affect a lot of clubs not being in business if it went through," said the 54-year-old Rovers boss.

"The opportunity to get into the set-up would be so limited some owners might think it's too much of a risk to keep those clubs going."

We've got the oldest league in the world and I think we need to protect it

Preston chairman Derek Shaw

Shaw added that any such plan will need further scrutiny before he is willing to back the new idea.

After twice seeing his Preston side miss out in the play-offs, in 2005 and 2006, Shaw admitted anything that impacts negatively on North End will be a non-starter.

"You want to do what's right and if there was a structure where there's a lot more money coming in to the likes of Preston I'm sure we'd be very keen.

"But there were 92 Football League clubs 15 years ago, and now there's only 72 and that would be reduced further and that's not something I would feel too comfortable with.

"We've got the oldest league in the world and I think we need to protect it," said Shaw.

"I think we also need to protect non-league football because players come from all over the place, so it's concerning that all the money may just go to a small number of clubs."