Geoffrey Richmond today urged ITV Digital to find a speedy solution to the uncertainty that has cast a huge financial shadow over the Nationwide League.

The ailing sports channel could go down the tubes by the end of the week - amid growing fears that some smaller clubs will follow.

City chairman Richmond, a First Division representative on the Football League board, said: "It's a major worry and one I've seen coming for some months.

"There has been some exaggeration of the number of clubs that could fold. Clubs are remarkably resilient as you've seen over the years.

"But there's no doubt that the clubs already on the borderline could be pushed over."

ITV Digital owners Granada and Carlton are trying to renegotiate the current three-year deal, which would wipe off almost £130m.

The Football League are threatening court action to get all their money. But that would take several years to resolve - a timespan that may prove too long for some of the poorer clubs.

Richmond said: "The Football League has been much maligned over this. But it isn't the product to blame, there just hasn't been the number of subscribers.

"It's impossible to predict the short-term outcome of this but I'm desperately hoping there will be a quick resolution.

"We would rather know definitely where we are going rather than all this uncertainty."