They discussed the idea after the satellite channel BSkyB, owned by Rupert Murdoch, proposed beginning experiments with pay-per-view in the 1998-1999 season.

It would have meant:

• Four games moved from the traditional Saturday to Sunday from September 13.
  
• Fans charged up to £10 to watch these games between leading teams.
  
• Up to 144 more games broadcast in the first year's trial of pay-per-view.
  
• More money for the clubs from BSkyB as it rolls out its digital tlevision services.

Existing subscription coverage paid for by sports fans would have continued during the experiment which BSkyB wanted to use to see how it can bankroll its digital television services.

The concept provoked fury from many fans and supporters' associations who would have had to invest in a £200 digital signal decoder, on top of present subscriptions to Sky Sports channels.

It would also have meant breaking with decades of tradition and allowing BSkyB to broadcast on Saturdays.

This would have met stiff opposition from the sports' European governing body, Uefa, which forbids broadcasts on the traditional football day of the week.

Supported by big guns

Pay per view has been backed by some of the country's largest clubs including Manchester United.

But there are fears among teams in the lower Nationwide leagues about attendances dropping because of fans staying at home to watch big games.