BURY chairman Terry Robinson today dismissed speculation that the top Nationwide clubs are planning a breakaway.

Reports suggest the First Division big guns decided at a secret meeting last week to set up Premiership Two in a bid to secure themselves a greater share of the Sky TV cash pool.

But Gigg Lane chief Robinson said: "Every time there is a discussion about restructuring, people start speculating about things which are way off the mark. I've certainly heard nothing about this."

And his attitude is echoed by the chairman of the Nationwide League's management committee, David Sheepshanks, whose club, Ipswich Town, is reported as being the shock omission from the 12 clubs said to be planning the breakaway. He said: "I would be utterly amazed if there was to be such an announcement."

The clubs named as wanting to form their own exclusive club one step down from the Premiership are Manchester City, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Wolves, West Brom, Birmingham, Sheffield United, Charlton, QPR, Norwich, Nottingham Forest and Stoke.

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