BURY North MP David Chaytor is fighting European Commission proposals to scrap the football transfer fee system writes PHIL THORP.

The Labour man has written a stiff letter to European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti pointing out that a ban on transfer fees would be catastrophic to clubs like the Shakers.

Smaller teams rely heavily on the money made when selling young prospects who they have groomed and while he agrees that something must be done to halt the mega-bucks sales between top European clubs he believes an outright ban on transfer fees would only widen the gap between richer and poorer clubs.

"I think everyone agrees that the current system has got out of hand," he said. "Luis Figo's recent £37 million sale to Barcelona demonstrated the urgent need for reform.

"But an outright ban would sound the death knell to clubs like Bury."

If the current system was scrapped it would no longer be in the interests of smaller clubs to invest in the development of young players who could leave at a moment's notice.

"I have written to Commissioner Monti urging him not to scrap the current system until safeguards are put in place to protect smaller clubs from financial ruin.

"These could include restrictions on the movement of young players, guarantees of compensation for clubs who lose players and the banning of transfer moves during the season."