Even Chelsea manager Avram Grant joined the lobby ahead of the weekend – but that was in the knowledge that his side might miss out on the title on goal difference.

Grant said it would be unfair if Chelsea finished level on points with Manchester United but lost out on the title and advocated a play-off game to decide the title in future if a similar scenario develops.

While that suggestion bordered on the selfish, there is a far more compelling case for play-off games to be used to settle the issues of the fourth Champions League spot and the final relegation place.

Not only are they a guaranteed money-spinner, but they would also spice up the season for a lot of top-flight clubs.

Take this season's race for the fourth place, for example – Liverpool had it sewn up before yesterday's final game at Tottenham Hotspur.

If the clubs finishing in 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th in the Premier League, had to go into a play-off system for that final Champions League spot that would have given a further five clubs – Everton, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Portsmouth and Manchester City – some hope of qualifying on the final day of the season.

Far better that, surely, than the current state of play where the financial clout of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool means the top four is in danger of becoming a closed shop.

At the bottom of the table, yesterday's battle for survival still involved three clubs, possibly four if Bolton Wanderers had surrended a mightly superior goal difference.

What advocates of a play-off system for the relegation battle say is that it could give newly promoted clubs a better chance of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship.

It has been suggested that only the bottom two clubs should be relegated automatically and that the next four should go into a play-off.

While that would not have gone down well this season with supporters of Sunderland or Bolton, who pulled clear before the final day, it could have been a life saver for Birmingham City, Reading or Fulham.

In general terms, football supporters love the end of season play-offs. That is why most of the games are sell-outs and Wembley tickets are snapped up in a frenzy when the identity of the finalists is known.

Television companies love the play-offs, too, and club chairmen know they make a positive impact on finances.

Although League One and Championship clubs bank only £40,000 in television money, they bank between £450,000 and £1m in shared gate revenue.

There is no prize money for winning a play-off final, but promotion to the Championship is worth an extra £5m per season and promotion to the Premier League a massive £30m.

If top-flight clubs were involved, the televised games would have a worldwide appeal and generate massive viewing figures.

It is only a matter of time before they realise they are missing out on a slice of some action.