DEAN KEATES described rumours surrounding a ‘radical restructuring’ of the lower leagues as “interesting”.

Wrexham insisted that they had not been a part of any talks regarding the possibility of League Two and the National League merging on a regional basis after reports suggested that chairman from the divisions had discussed the proposal.

It would create a League Two North and a League Two South, giving English football’s Premier League and Football League pyramid five divisions for the first time.

And Reds’ boss Keates believes it could be an option worth exploring.

“I read about a potential League Two North and League Two South and found it interesting,” said Keates. “If there were plans to do it then it could work.

“Would I be against the idea? Possibly not.”

Merging the two divisions would help clubs save money on travelling costs, while boosting attendances through an increased number of derby matches.

The football pyramid set to be heavily affected by the coronavirus, and Keates can see the positives.

“The reality for teams at the moment in our division is that there are a lot of overnight trips,” continued Keates. “We want to do things properly, so we probably had 10 overnight trips last season.

“That can be £20,000-plus in total, which is a lot of money that could be saved if things did change and we played in a regionalised league.

“On top of that, we talk about fan participation and it probably means that attendances would get bigger because there would be more derbies for the clubs.

“With more fans attending games it means more revenue, which combined with less expense from travelling, is an interesting option.”

Keates, however, has been in the game long enough to realise that Wrexham are hugely unlikely to be lining up in a new-look League Two North anytime soon.

“On paper, which is all it is at the moment, it looks like a good plan,” said Keates. “It’s a good idea in principle, but the reality is that it’s probably a long way off from happening, if it does.”

The National League are still to decide how best to end the current campaign after they were granted an extension to the season, which will allow the play-offs to be held beyond the original end of May deadline.

Wrexham Supporters Trust revealed that member clubs of the National League were recently asked to give direction - not vote - as to whether the season should extend the date to be able to conclude the play-offs.

The Reds were one of nine clubs to agree that the play-offs should take place when possible, while 12 wanted to cancel the end of season lottery with three offering no opinion.

“It’s a conversation myself and the club had,” said Keates regarding Wrexham’s suggestion to stage the play-offs. “We try to do things properly and the right thing to do is to try find a way of promoting two teams.

“Teams have worked hard to try and get into the promised land which is the Football League and we felt it was right to try and get the play-offs played.

“Unfortunately it remains up in the air. We can’t hide from the fact that we are waiting for the Football League to dictate to the National League after the Premier League have dictated to them.

“The Premier League are only bothered about themselves and everything feeds off that and eventually it works its way down to us.”