THE Football League are in a “no-win situation” over plans to expand to a fifth division, according to City’s James Mason.

The chief operating officer is representing the club at the league’s annual conference this week in Vilamoura in Portugal.

A vote on whether to increase the current pyramid from 92 to 100 clubs will not be taken until next year’s meeting.

But while it may not be directly on the agenda for the next couple of days, it remains by far the biggest talking-point.

With a 90 per cent majority needed for the proposal to get the go-ahead, clubs are already being canvassed for their opinion.

If passed, the changes would come into place from 2019. The Championship and Leagues One and Two would be cut from 24 teams to 20 to incorporate a further division of 20.

Teams would play just 38 league matches rather than the current 46, reducing the number of midweek dates – but also meaning less revenue.

Mason can see both sides of the argument but think the league have a fight on their hands to get the 65 clubs on board they would require.

He said: “I appreciate there’s no ‘one size fits all’ answer to any scenario the Football League bring to the table.

“As it stands, you’ve got 72 members across the country who are completely different in size, whether in terms of financial clout or fan base.

“Recently relegated Premier League teams may benefit from resting players, even though they probably have bigger squads that could cope with extra games.

“Equally teams just coming up from the Conference adjusting to the demands of professional football may appreciate not having to play so often.

“Lesser games does enable players to rest but equally lesser games means less revenue.

“I sympathise with what the league are trying to do, listening to all their members and trying to make the whole football pyramid work better. It’s clear that’s going to be impossible.

“While Bradford City get big crowds, to some extent it’s a different market place for us compared to teams at the top of the Championship.

“Similarly, the circumstances are different here to teams at the bottom of League Two.

“I’m all for change but it has to be change for the benefit of the game; not just change for change’s sake.

“It’s a no-win situation for the Football League.

“Having read comments from most fans and officials at other clubs, it’s going to be an unpopular idea. I would be very surprised if it were to get through.”

Mason wants to hear more about the proposed changes – especially any plans regarding promotion and relegation at the end of the 2018-2019 season before the extra division would be introduced.