David Wetherall today made it clear that Bradford City's squad would back any union action in the growing row over football TV money.

But Wetherall, the club's PFA representative, said: "Nobody wants to strike. It's been made out that the players want to but it's the last resort."

The players' union today sent out 3,000 ballot papers as they stepped up the fight with the Premier League over the way the increased broadcast cash is carved up.

The PFA have been offered £9.85m but are demanding their previous five per cent share which would be worth around £25m.

Wetherall, who is on the union's management committee, said: "Everyone's hoping that something can be sorted out quickly but this is a very important time. It seems clear we have to stand up for the rights of players and we need a strong voice. That's the feeling coming out of this place and from every club in the country.

"There is a lot of misunderstanding going on and it was a cheap shot at the PFA to say we only pay £75 a year to the union. We do that because the boys at the top have given up their performances rights to get this lump sum that supports everybody.

"If we didn't have this, top players could demand whatever fee they wanted in front of the cameras and that would be chaos. You might get Beckham asking for £10,000 and Keane for £15,000 every game and you can't have that."

More talks between the two sides are expected next week when the ballot papers have been counted.

Any strike action would affect live televised games. City are next on the box at Crewe on Friday, November 2.