NORTH West Euro MP Arlene McCarthy was visiting Bury FC today to tear a strip off European plans to scrap the transfer fee system.

And two Bury fans are set to take a trip to Brussels in a bid to tell the European Commission the drastic effect ditching transfer fees would have on the club.

Plans to scrap the system could sound the death knell for small teams like Bury because they would lose out on money made from the sale of young players moving to higher clubs.

Mrs McCarthy was meeting Bury's chief executive Terry Robinson at Gigg Lane to canvass his views on the proposal put forward by the European Competition Commissioner Mario Monti.

Mrs McCarthy said: "I have been supporting the work of the Internal Football Taskforce which has been set up to discuss the changes to the current transfer system. But I have grave concerns about the cost to our local teams and I want to ensure their views and justifiable concerns are heard.

She will be leading a group of supporters to Brussels next week to ensure the European Commission is aware of the views of ordinary fans.

"Two Bury fans are going and I want them to have the opportunity to tell the Commissioner exactly what the changes would mean for Bury FC.

"To preserve the game, football still needs to be able to promote new players and invest in new talent. It is important to protect clubs at all levels.

"This needs to be reflected in the outcome of negotiations between the Commission and sports bodies."

She added: "Abolishing the current transfer fee system will not stop clubs paying £17 million to top players like Figo. Any new system needs to ensure that grassroots football benefits as well as players."

Bury North MP David Chaytor has already voiced his alarm at the proposed transfer fee ban, calling for the system to remain until safeguards are introduced to protect smaller clubs from financial ruin.