Swans disquiet at league proposal

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins says clubs must be able to "evolve"

Swansea City chairman Huw Jenkins has hit out at a proposal to create a two-tier Premier League.

Bolton chief Phil Gartside's idea would also see Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers join the English system.

The proposal allows for promotion and relegation between the two tiers, but would not necessarily allow promotion and relegation from the Championship.

"I completely disagree with his [Gartside] ideas... it would be very detrimental to football," Jenkins said.

It is unclear whether Swansea would be eligible to be part of the new 36-40 team setup, but Jenkins fears such a proposal could hinder the development of lower league clubs.

"Our club can develop to satisfy any criteria, we're not worried about that... we've got a system in place that's fair and allows for clubs to change and evolve over time," Jenkins said.

606: DEBATE It would be at the expense of two established English teams and would disenfranchise many English fans St_Godders

"We need clubs having promotion and relegation, that's why our football and our Premier League, our Championship and Football Leagues are so successful.

"If we ever take that away it will probably be the start of the end of everything we've ever fought for and created in football.

"I don't believe anybody... should be neglected because of the inability of the Premier League and Championship clubs to run themselves properly."

It is understood there would be a top tier of 18 clubs, with promotion and relegation to and from the two tiers of the new-look Premier League - which would have between 36 and 40 teams in total.

The proposals are a revival of Gartside's ideas which received a hostile reception from the Premier League's 20 chairmen six months ago.

However, Gartside, the driving force behind the revamp, has tweaked the original plans to include promotion and relegation to and from the dual-tier league, while the two Scottish clubs would initially be invited to join the lower tier.