York City chairman John Batchelor has launched an ambitious bid to form a new-look league format involving Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic.

Batchelor, who is in the process of suing the current Football League over their handling of the television rights and failed court case against Carlton and Granada, wants the rebel league involving the 74 clubs up and running in time for next season - with his plans for every club to resign at the same time in March 2003.

Batchelor already has a sponsorship deal lined up with American-based battery company Rayovac, a link from the City chief's motor racing set-up, for the new format, which would see players' wages part funded by the league itself.

Batchelor's fellow chairmen from the other 71 league clubs, plus his counterparts at the two Glasgow teams, will receive all the details on the proposal in the next few days.

But the York City supremo told the Evening Press: "The league would be as it is now with the addition of Rangers and Celtic, but the league would have more management of the players.

"The league would take 50 per cent of all gate receipts, with part of that money going to pay players and the rest going into a pot should clubs face problems in the future.

"There is nothing to stop clubs topping up the wages of players themselves, but club accounts would have to be shown at the end of the year to show they are running profitably.

"If not, and things can't be turned around, then they would be expelled from the league.

"Wages would then come down to gate receipts not on nebulous media deals - although we would still look at that form of revenue.

"The league would also control admission prices at every club.

"We will have to discuss the details, but you would pay Third Division players X amount, Second Division players X amount and First Division X amount.

"If a club is relegated then the players there would get paid less money."

Batchelor believes clubs will have to seriously look on the proposal otherwise face going into administration.

"I hopes clubs do take this on - if something doesn't happen soon many clubs will be in administration by the end of the season," he said. "Obviously all contracts will have to be re-negotiated to fit in.

"I really don't see what other options clubs have got to look at."

The new league would also incorporate Batchelor's previous idea of seeing more sides promoted and relegated, if not his original plans to modifiy some of the game's rules.

"Even if we don't change the rules of the game, I think we could have more ups and downs to add interest and keep the excitement going right to the end of the season," he added.

Despite Batchelor's bid for a rival league, the Football League refused to be drawn on commenting the proposal.

However, the FA Premier League have reiterated their views against welcoming Rangers or Celtic into the English set-up.

A Premier League spokesman said: "We have made our views on Rangers and Celtic entering the Premier League clear in the past and have nothing new to add."

Updated: 12:01 Tuesday, September 03, 2002