FOOTBALL and lower league clubs like York City were today expected to receive a huge boost in the battle to retain the transfer system, writes Dave Stanford.

The 15 heads of state at the European Union summit, which started in Nice on Thursday, are set to declare a difference between sport and other areas on employment.

Any statement was not likely to be made until the conclusion of the summit this afternoon but as negotiations between world governing body FIFA and the European Commission continue in an attempt to find a legally binding alternative to the present transfer regulations, it could not come at a more opportune time.

UEFA general secretary Gerhard Aigner said: "Football is looking to the Nice summit for support and a real recognition of the special nature of sport.

"We need some form of 'declaration of sport' to help provide a stable and coherent framework for the future of European football."

Only last month, and as revealed in the Evening Press, City chairman Douglas Craig warned changes to the current transfer-system could spark a "radical review" of the club's revered youth system.

The threat came after the club's latest balance sheet revealed losses of more than £650,000 and highlighted the importance of transfer income to ensure City's survival.