In a survey conducted for Sgorio, an overwhelming majority of Welsh Premier clubs have expressed doubts about a 44-fixture Welsh Premier League season.

The situation has arisen because of the restructuring of the Welsh Premiership and the introduction of the so-called Super 12 for season 2010/11.

It is proposed that each club will play each other four times - twice at home and twice away from home - but, when asked by Sgorio this week, only three of the 18 member clubs were in favour of playing 44 matches next season.

The overriding message from the clubs was that the cost implications of playing an extra 10 games was worrying.

Increased travelling costs, an increase in wages and an increase in the cost of maintaining pitches were all cited as concerns by the clubs when asked about a 44-match season.

Whilst Sgorio's questionnaire was conducted in confidence, a number of clubs have made their feelings public in the last few days.

Too many matches

"It is too many games which will see us incur increased travel and associated running costs," said Haverfordwest County chairman, Rob Summons on the club's official website.

"We voted for a league of 10 clubs playing each other four times - a total of 36 matches," he added.

Neath Athletic have also made a statement via their official website where they raise concerns about the impact an extra 10 matches and the impact it would have on part-time players.

"You could see clubs being able to pick their best teams on a Saturday but not a Tuesday and that will not add to the quality of the League."

With the obvious opposition to a 44-match season, Sgorio also asked the clubs to suggest a structure which would be acceptable in a 12 team league.

Half of the 18 clubs were keen to investigate the idea of splitting the league in two after 22 matches - an idea mooted by League secretary, John Deakin.

Mid-season split

Each of the clubs in the Super 12 would play each other home and away once before the league split into two sections with the top six playing home and away to determine the league champions and with the bottom six playing to decide who is relegated.

This would mean a total of 32 matches - two matches fewer than under the present system- and although this system had it's fare share of criticism, it did seem to be a more palatable option than a 44-match season.

When asked to specify the ideal number of clubs in the Welsh Premiership, the majority of clubs plumped for 16.

And as one club pointed out in answering the question: "The FAW have advised all leagues operating in Wales that they must be 16 in number, so why should the national league at the top of the pyramid be any different?"

But perhaps the most startling fact to come out of Sgorio's questionnaire is that 10 of the 18 member clubs do not feel that a reduction in the number of clubs will be beneficial to the league.

Bearing that in mind, it promises to be a fascinating meeting in Newtown on Thursday night when the league's clubs meet to discuss the structure for next season.