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http://www.thestar.co.uk/sportheadlines/Sheffield-United-open-to-Premier.5817435.jp
SHEFFIELD United chairman Kevin McCabe has refused to rule out the possibility of the club one day joining a two tier Premier League after admitting the idea is worthy of further exploration.
The controversial proposal, which would see Glasgow giants Rangers and Celtic invited to compete south of the border, is being championed by Bolton Wanderers' surpremo Phil Gartside and will be raised at a meeting later this afternoon.
As founder members of the FAPL and the region's last top-flight representatives, United are being touted as potential entrants by Gartside's supporters.
McCabe refused to publicly throw his weight behind the plan but hinted that he would seek to position them at the heart of any negotiations should it continue to gather momentum.
"We'll be keeping a watching brief," he told The Star. "There is no committee or working party but it is something I have been aware of as a talking point for around the last year.
"As with anything or this nature there are pro's - a lot of things which seem to make sense - but also cons.
"There are bound to be issues about Old Firm fans travelling to England on a regular basis."
A shrewd politician, McCabe is unlikely to risk angering the Football League by joining the likes of Harry Redknapp, David Moyes and Martin O'Neill who have whole-heartedly endorsed Gartside's campaign unless negotiations continue to progress.
However, with last season's gates averaging 26023 - better than many of those enjoyed by their FAPL counterparts - United are likely to be approached about entering the new structure should it ever be implemented.
McCabe added: "I would want people here (at United) to be aware of what is going on elsewhere and would make sure they are kept informed."
While Gartside and his cohorts attempt to persuade the doubters, including Stoke's Peter Coates, about the merits of their proposition, United manager Kevin Blackwell continues to put the finishing touches to his shopping list during the January transfer window.
McCabe is holding talks with a number of financial houses aimed at increasing United's resources.
With Matthew Kilgallon seemingly nowhere nearer to agreeing a new contract and David Cotterill attracting admiring glances from Swansea City, Blackwell is certain to re-enter the market having received assurances from McCabe that "significant" funds will be made available to strengthen a squad which has been ravaged by injuries in recent months.
Stoke City midfielder Michael Tonge, who started his career at United, Hull City's Peter Halmosi and Chris Taylor of Oldham Athletic are thought to be among Blackwell's targets.
The bit that interests me is in red
SHEFFIELD United chairman Kevin McCabe has refused to rule out the possibility of the club one day joining a two tier Premier League after admitting the idea is worthy of further exploration.
The controversial proposal, which would see Glasgow giants Rangers and Celtic invited to compete south of the border, is being championed by Bolton Wanderers' surpremo Phil Gartside and will be raised at a meeting later this afternoon.
As founder members of the FAPL and the region's last top-flight representatives, United are being touted as potential entrants by Gartside's supporters.
McCabe refused to publicly throw his weight behind the plan but hinted that he would seek to position them at the heart of any negotiations should it continue to gather momentum.
"We'll be keeping a watching brief," he told The Star. "There is no committee or working party but it is something I have been aware of as a talking point for around the last year.
"As with anything or this nature there are pro's - a lot of things which seem to make sense - but also cons.
"There are bound to be issues about Old Firm fans travelling to England on a regular basis."
A shrewd politician, McCabe is unlikely to risk angering the Football League by joining the likes of Harry Redknapp, David Moyes and Martin O'Neill who have whole-heartedly endorsed Gartside's campaign unless negotiations continue to progress.
However, with last season's gates averaging 26023 - better than many of those enjoyed by their FAPL counterparts - United are likely to be approached about entering the new structure should it ever be implemented.
McCabe added: "I would want people here (at United) to be aware of what is going on elsewhere and would make sure they are kept informed."
While Gartside and his cohorts attempt to persuade the doubters, including Stoke's Peter Coates, about the merits of their proposition, United manager Kevin Blackwell continues to put the finishing touches to his shopping list during the January transfer window.
McCabe is holding talks with a number of financial houses aimed at increasing United's resources.
With Matthew Kilgallon seemingly nowhere nearer to agreeing a new contract and David Cotterill attracting admiring glances from Swansea City, Blackwell is certain to re-enter the market having received assurances from McCabe that "significant" funds will be made available to strengthen a squad which has been ravaged by injuries in recent months.
Stoke City midfielder Michael Tonge, who started his career at United, Hull City's Peter Halmosi and Chris Taylor of Oldham Athletic are thought to be among Blackwell's targets.
The bit that interests me is in red
