Keeping the ‘smaller teams alive’ is something that needs to be encouraged, according to Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth, following the Project Big Picture proposals.

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It has been reported that Manchester United and Liverpool are in favour of the plan, which will see radical changes to the English football pyramid.

Changes such as scrapping the League Cup and Community Shield as well as reducing the number of teams in the Football League from 92 to 90 have been put forward.

These changes also include the Premier League being reduced from 20 teams to 18, with there being a relegation play-off – a system that is used in Germany.

It is also alleged that EFL Chairman Rick Parry supports the idea, mainly due to the promise of up to £250million being given to the organisation and its clubs.

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Speaking ahead of the Chairboys’ home Championship match against Millwall on October 17, Ainsworth said: “I’m a big advocate of keeping the smaller teams alive.

“The passion at Bury and Macclesfield is the same passion you get at Man United, Man City and Liverpool - the fans have the same passion at both ends.

“Having the 92 clubs through history has made football unbelievably powerful in this country and I don’t think we can ever forget that.

“I think the leagues are so important to have underneath the Premier League and Championship.

“Wycombe have played a huge part in those leagues and I’m really proud of our part, and everyone else’s club’s part.

“The Morecombe’s, the Accrington’s - we’ve got to keep all these stories alive because the passion in those clubs is exactly the same as it is at the top, they just they don’t have the same money.”

Out of all the clubs in the Championship, Wycombe are the smallest team on paper, with this being their first season in the division.

The club defied the odds by being promoted to the league last season, and despite a tough start which has seen them lose four games on the bounce in the Championship, where they have conceded 10 goals and not scored any, Ainsworth will be hoping for a response against Millwall on Saturday.