Former Colchester United chairman Peter Heard fears doubling parachute payments for relegated sides could alienate lower league clubs.

The Premier League is planning to increase the payments – designed to soften the financial blow of relegation – to four years.

Clubs relegated from the Premier League currently receive £12 million a year, for two seasons.

But that figure is set to increase to £16 million for each of the two seasons that immediately follow relegation.

And plans are afoot for payments made to relegated clubs to last for two additional years.

For the full story see today's Gazette.