Clarets chairman Barry Kilby believes that the planned mass resignation from the Football League will not now happen because of legal problems.

A meeting had been due to take place at Highfield Road on Thursday to discuss the radical proposal aimed at speeding up the creation of the new Phoenix League.

Having gone public with his concerns about the way certain clubs appeared to be trying to use scare tactics to get people to jump ship, Kilby faxed all the other first division chairman to outline his arguments for not quitting the league.

And he explained: "I think that the biggest factor has been the threat of legal problems in relation to the television deal that was recently signed.

"No club could afford to lose out on the money that is still to come from the television company and there could be a possibility of them issuing a claim against the clubs.

"I spoke to a number of other clubs ahead of the planned meeting this week and I know that Preston North End and Crewe were of our opinion that there was no longer anything to discuss and therefore no point in getting together again."

The suggested mass resignation had been brought up at a meeting earlier this month after the Premier League had voted 19-1 against any change to the current structure.

Kilby had feared a scenario whereby the Clarets could end the season in the top two of the first division but end up missing out on a place in the top flight because of reorganisation. That now seems unlikely and Kilby said: "I would be very surprised if anything carried on now.

"I can only assume there was no meeting held on Thursday because when we faxed our opinion that there should not be one, we left all our contact numbers and we never heard anything from anyone."

Unlike many Burnley fans, the chairman did not get all the way to Rotherham before hearing that the Boxing Day game had been postponed, but he does hope that the sorry episode will prompt a change in thinking when the fixture list is drawn up next season.

"We as a club never seem to be given a home game on Boxing Day," he said. "We have certainly not had one in my time as chairman.

"And I know it dates back further.

"Boxing Day is a one that is crying out for match and it can be a real money spinner. That is why I think it is time that the Football League looks at making sure that the weather can't intervene by giving home games to clubs like Burnley who have undersoil heating.

"It is something that certainly needs a little bit of thought before next season. It was very disappointing for everyone that the game had to be called off."

At least Kilby did get to see some football on Boxing Day. He had got no further than Bradford and so paid through the gate to see the Clarets New Year's Day opponents Bradford City go down 2-1 to Sheffield United.