Cowdy: Blackpool were 'keen' to look at restructuring plans

It comes after the Football League (EFL) announced this morning that plans for an overhaul have been shelved after talks between the Football League and the FA have broken down.

In a statement released today (Wednesday), the EFL has confirmed it will cease discussions over the so-called 'Whole Game Solution' with "immediate effect".

It comes after the FA informed them they were no longer prepared to consider rescheduling FA Cup fixtures into midweek slots.

Alex Cowdy, who represented the club at the EFL's meeting on the plans, said Blackpool FC were keen to look at any potential benefits or drawbacks.

He said: “The Whole Game Solution was still at a consultation stage with EFL Clubs. As a club, like many others, we were keen to discuss the benefits and drawbacks, before making a decision next year ahead of the EFL Summer Conference.

"We were in favour of ruling out Premier League B teams as part of the restructure, a matter that was subsequently dropped from discussions.

"However we were awaiting further clarity from the EFL over a number of other matters due for discussion at further consultation meetings next month.”

The proposals included plans for a League 3, which would have expanded the Football League to 80 teams. A winter break was also mooted.

The EFL says the decision has been taken with "significant regret and disappointment" and brings to an end the EFL-led debate on the possibility of the single biggest reform of the English League structure since the inception of the Premier League in 1992.

In order for the Whole Game Solution to be viable, it required the English football authorities to look collectively at the fixture schedules and create additional weekends for League football.

However, after seeking clarification on the FA’s position following the recent announcement of their new international broadcasting deal, the EFL were informed that there was no longer a sufficient advantage for the FA in making the changes.