STAN Ternent has spent three and a half years getting Burnley to a position of strength on the pitch.

Tomorrow club chairman Barry Kilby will be making every effort to see it is not weakened off it.

The stories surrounding a new league system are not new - in fact the major surprise is that things have gone so quiet of late.

Ever since the Premier League was formed almost a decade ago there has been a cluster of clubs desperate to find a way in to the biggest football gang in town.

It is a bit like a Dickensian tale with poor young lads peering through frosted windows at the rich family tucking into a gigantic feast.

Now it would appear that some of those lads are ready to try and at least get into the house, if not the dining room, even if it is to be by the back door.

Poor old Coventry, Bradford and Man City, all relegated from the top flight last season.

Poor old Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday and Birmingham, all big city clubs who "should" be in the top flight.

I'm sorry, if they should be, they would be. There is no secret to it.

Had they got more points than Fulham and Blackburn last season, they would be.

If they finish above Burnley and at least 21 other first division sides this season, they will be.

But woe betide the great game of football if it ever ends up in a position where money counts for more than merit.

Burnley was a great club in the 1960s. I knew that already but have just had a graphic reminder courtesy of the excellent new video "When We Were Kings - Burnley in Europe".

But those great days of titles, cup finals and European campaigns counted for absolutely nothing when the club was struggling for survival in the fourth division and why - because they weren't good enough!

The big city clubs have an in built advantage as it is. They have the catchment area, they get the crowds, they attract the sponsors but now they want to set up a cartel to make sure they can play all the other top teams.

What next, a franchise system such as that which exists in the States whereby the biggest hitters host the biggest games?

That is why all football fans should back the Wimbledon fans who oppose all talk of a move to Milton Keynes.

Burnley might not make it to the land of milk and honey that is today's Premier League, Wolves and Man City might.

But let's hope that whoever does will be decided on who plays best on the pitch, not who shouts loudest about the size of his wad in the boardroom.