Albion are keeping an open mind about plans for the biggest shake-up of English football in nearly a quarter of a century.

A proposal to increase the number of clubs from 92 to 100 with the creation of a fifth division is the main item on the agenda at the Football League's annual summit in Portugal next week.

Chairman Tony Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber, who is on the Football League Board, will be in Vilamoura representing Albion's interests.

Who is behind the proposals, what are the motives and what are the pros and cons for the Seagulls and their rivals? Andy Naylor investigates.

What is the 'whole game solution'?

The plan is to re-organise the domestic league system which has been operating for almost 25 years since the formation of the 20-team Premier League.

The Championship, League One and League Two would be reduced from 24 to 20 teams and a new League Three created, also with 20 teams.

Three up, three down would remain in the Premier League.

What is the timescale?

The revised system to come into force in the 2019-20 season, once the current broadcast contract expires.

How would this be achieved?

The preferred option is for the new format to be introduced in one hit from the end of the 1918-19 season, rather than phased in over two or three years.

This would mean mass relegations at the end of that season, especially from League Two to create the new League Three with top teams from the National League (formerly known as the Conference).

It would also mean anywhere between seven and five clubs being relegated from the Championship, depending on the status quo or tinkering with the number of clubs promoted from League One.

Who is responsible for the proposal?

The plans were drawn up after top brass talks involving FA chief executive Martin Glenn (below), Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore and Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey.

The Argus: Glenn will be attending the debate at the Football League AGM next week.

If it ain't broke don't fix it?

Many believe English football is broken. Too many matches - especially midweek - too little help given to English clubs playing in Europe and to the prospects of the national team.

How will the changes help?

Cutting the number of matches in Football League divisions from 46 to 38 would slash the number of midweek fixtures from the current ten to one, freeing up Tuesdays and Wednesdays for other competitions, particularly the FA Cup.

If FA Cup replays were scrapped as well it could pave the way for a winter break, advocated by the FA to improve England's chances in World Cups and European Championships and also English clubs competing in Europe.

What about revenue implications for clubs?

Playing eight fewer matches per season will cost Football League clubs hundreds of thousands of pounds. One of the Football League's pre-conditions is that their member clubs should not be worse off financially as a result of any changes.

Is this a way to bring Celtic and Rangers into English football and create Premier League club B teams?

The Premier League has no plans to integrate the Scottish giants. The only scope for Premier League B teams would be in entering a revised Football League Trophy ( the cup competition for lower League clubs).

What form will the debate take at the Football League AGM and what are the chances of clubs supporting the changes?

The only recommendation from the Football League Board at this stage is for clubs to give the matter their full consideration.

A vote will be held no sooner than June 2017 and expanding membership of the Football League will require the support of 90 per cent of current clubs (65 out of 72).

What is Albion's stance?

Barber said: "We've got an entirely open mind about the proposal. There are pluses and minuses.

"Fewer games and therefore less Tuesday games, more Saturday games, would be better for the fans.

The Argus: "Less midweek travel would reduces our costs and fewer games would also mean players not put under so much strain, potentially improving their availability.

"It is going to take a leap of faith for some clubs, because clearly the loss of revenue is a massive concern if you are living hand to mouth.

"I can't imagine any of the 72 clubs thinking it's perfect. We get great support, so four less home games per year is going to hurt us, but how many more people am I going to get on a Saturday? And there should be fewer Tuesday at home and Saturday at home, which kills us.

"If everybody bought into the proposal you could end up with fans benefiting from fewer midweeks games, clubs benefiting from more Saturday games and lower costs.

"Premier League clubs having no FA Cup replays to worry about, which will in turn help them in Europe, and then the whole shake-up of fewer games for everyone in a season might create room for a winter break, which would help the national team."