EUROPEAN plans to scrap football transfer fees could spell 'full time' for some clubs -- and that could include Preston North End!

That's the warning from leading accountants Deloitte and Touche, who claim that many of the country's 92 professional clubs may be forced to go part-time or even sack players to survive.

But PNE's deputy chairman, Derek Shaw, says that is not the biggest of his worries.

At present, transfer fees mean that small clubs can sell promising players to larger clubs and make a substantial profit. Many small clubs, like Blackpool, gain as much as half their income from transfer fees.

But Derek Shaw said he thought North End could survive such a change, what he was most concerned about was players leaving without giving notice. "What is most worrying is that your best players may be able to leave the club at a month's notice -- and nobody seems to be talking about this. It doesn't give a chance to plan ahead in the long term."

North End veteran and wearer of 76 England caps, Sir Tom Finney, is also worried about the effect it would have on the present league system. "I think it would make things very difficult, not just for North End, but more for the clubs in the lower divisions.

"Without any fees it would be a catastrophe -- it is like a feeder tank for the smaller clubs to survive.

"I think it would be disastrous for the game if the transfer fees as we know it is to be finished -- it's just crazy. I just can't see it!" Sir Tom also shares Derek Shaw's concerns for losing players with very little notice or reward.

"Take Shearer for example," he said: "You pay 12 million for a player and then you find in two or three years time he'll be able to move for nothing."

The decision on transfer fees, which will be made by the European Commission which believes they are illegal as they restrict players freedom to move between clubs, will be made later this month.

If you want to contact your local MEP Arlene McCarthy with your views on the transfer system you can e-mail her on arlene.mccarthy@easynet.co.uk