FOOTBALL League clubs are expected to give Greg Dyke’s controversial “B league” proposals the thumbs down at their summer meeting in Portugal tomorow.

Dyke, the FA chairman, has proposed a new division be created between the Conference and League Two which would include a number of Premier League clubs’ B teams.

The plan emerged from his England Commission which aims to increase the number of English players in the top flight, and Dyke says it would give young players more experience of competitive football.

But lower league clubs such as Southend United reacted furiously to the proposals.

Blues boss Phil Brown said at the time: “I think it is an absolutely appalling idea “It’s another example of the rich getting richer and I just don’t understand how this scheme has even got this far because it should be a complete non-starter.”

In Portugal yesterday, Bradford City chairman Mark Lawn said there was a “general consensus” among the 72 Football League clubs that the B league would not work.

Lawn said: “Nobody understands how playing at Conference or League One level can help any player make it to play for England.

“There is a general consensus that it wouldn’t work and would not be good for our club football either.

“The FA need to go to the Premier League and say they only have so many foreigners but they won't do it.

Football League officials are due to present an alternative proposal which would see some Premier League B teams play in an expanded Johnstone's Paint Trophy, which would include a group stage. It is unclear however whether that would interest top-flight clubs.

The meeting will also discuss the use of artificial 3G pitches following the FA’s decision to allow them in all rounds of the FA Cup, and the on-going dispute over financial fair play rules in the Championship.