CLARETS chairman Barry Kilby believes that the issue of the "Phoenix League" is far from dead despite the overwhelming vote against it by top flight chairmen.

And he admitted to being surprised that the margin in favour of rejecting a change to the current structure was as large as 19-1.

"I have always wondered how the big clubs would deal with the idea of spreading income lower down the league but I am surprised that the lower third teams went along with them," he confessed.

"I would have thought it would be in their interest to see a change but despite this vote I don't think the issue will go away."

Kilby will attend a meeting on Monday at Coventry City's Highfield Road ground where the 24 first division chairmen will consider the latest development and also get a first report from the committee that was recently set up to examine the issue of a second tier Premier League.

The chairmen of Bradford City, Coventry and Crewe have been working alongside the Football League's chairman and chief executive to consider the way ahead.

"The main thing is that everything is now out in the open," said Kilby who was angered by the way six first division clubs had started plotting a change in structure in secret meetings behind closed doors.

"As far as we are concerned we are not against a change so long as it is done with two key principles.

"We have always said that it has to be done on merit. We don't want it to be about the size of a club's catchment area or its geographical location. How big a club is should never be a criteria.

"If there is to be a new second tier it has to involve the best teams and At the moment that would include Burnley.

"The second point is that there has to be meaningful promotion and relegation between all leagues. Take us as a club, 14 years ago we nearly went out of the league but now we have a realistic chance of making it to the Premier League.

"At the same time you have got clubs like Oxford United and Swindon Town who are struggling having been in the top division a few years ago. I hate closed shops and there is no way the league should become one. In fact I am in favour of having three up and three down between the third division and the Conference.

"It is going to be interesting to hear what the committee has come up with."

When the issue of the second tier was first discussed it was acknowledged that nothing could happen without the approval and backing of the Premier League.

It is now up to the men who want to alter the structure to find a way of persuading their counterparts that restructuring will be good for the game.

And Kilby is relieved that whatever discussions are to take place will involve his club.