1913: Kingaby v Aston Villa FC. Player Herbert Kingaby claimed Villa had imposed an excessive transfer fee on him but lost his claim.

Transfer system held to be justified

1955: Aldershot FC v Banks

Reg Banks had received and accepted an approach by Weymouth but terms could not be agreed as Weymouth could not afford fee imposed by Aldershot. The player's contract with Aldershot had terminated but the club was allowed to retain his registration.

Judge Rawlings indicates FA rules 'may' place an 'intolerable burden on some players'

1961: Maximum wage abolished, players contracts extended to include summer payments and players given right of appeal to the Football League if they deemed the transfer fee imposed on them by their club excessive.

A club could demand a fee for an out of contract player if, and only if, it indicated a willingness to keep the player by offering him terms at least as favourable as those in his previous contract.

Should the player then wish to leave and the clubs involved be unable to reach agreement over the fee then price would be determined by an independent tribunal.

A key figure behind the abolition of the £20 maximum wage was Jimmy Hill, chairman of the Professional Footballers' Association.

1995: The Bosman Decision

Belgian footballer Jean Marc Bosman's club RC Liege refused to release his registration upon the termination of his contract, preventing him from signing for another club until their valuation had been met.

The transfer system as it related to transfers between member state clubs held to be in contravention of Article 48 of EEC Treaty.

Players free to move from one club to another within Europe upon expiry of contract.

The judgement did not specifically address domestic transfer regulations but UK adopts ruling so if player is out of contract and over 24 years of age he can move on a free.

1998: The European Commission sends FIFA a 'communication of complaints' over the transfer system after Italian club Perugia refused to pay the fee demanded by Grasshopper Club of Zurich for player Lombardo.

2000 'Bosman II'

The EC challenges the legitimacy of transfer regulations on the grounds they restrict freedom of movement of workers within the EEC

June 2000: European Counsel convention in Portugal. Government chiefs recommend to the EC that they take into account 'the special nature' of football

August 31, 2000: FIFA/UEFA convene in Zurich, Switzerland, to discuss compromise which may appease EC. Proposals forwarded to the Commission

September 2000: EC sets deadline of October 31 for FIFA to submit proposals for change with dialogue to continue until December 31.