York City chairman Douglas Craig today declared an amicable agreement could be reached in the television cash row between Division One and their lower league rivals.

The City chairman has been drafted on to a working party set up by the lower leagues to respond to Division One's push for greater autonomy.

The Nationwide League's flagship clubs want the freedom to negotiate the next television deal, which could be worth up to £250 million in three years time, in an effort to play catch up with the Premier League.

Scarborough chairman John Russell has accused the Division One clubs of "capital greed", claiming the top clubs are demanding 97.5 per cent of the television cash over and above the present £70 million deal.

However, Craig declined to be drawn into the public row after yesterday's opening working party meeting, believing the matter was best resolved between the parties.

"We believe there is a sensible way forward, which can accommodate everybody's wishes, provided it is not a question of all take and no give. We are more interested in getting a sensible arrangement for the future of football," he said.

The Boro chief remains bullish: "We are going to be a lot worse off. What really annoys me is that we are not wanting to make money. We want enough money to survive and break even.

"The first division want to run their own show. They are more or less saying if they do not get a bigger portion of the pie then they are looking at forming their own organisation."

Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond acted as spokesman for Division One when they presented their proposals to the Division Two and Three chairmen earlier this week.

The working party is expected to present their case at the league's extraordinary general meeting on April 16.

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