Last week the Premier League ruled that Celtic and Rangers would not be allowed to bring their ball down from Scotland to play with the big boys in England.

Wrong decision for me as the Old Firm would add an extra dimension to the self proclaiming best league in the world.

It got me thinking though about the 20 clubs that would make up the perfect Premiership. See what you think.

ARSENAL: History, class, tradition, honours galore. They also play a brilliant brand of football that right now only the European champions Barcelona can match for entertainment.

ASTON VILLA: It was a choice between Villa and Birmingham because you have to include at least one team from England’s second city. Had to go for Villa. They are bigger and better and won the European Cup in 1982. Birmingham weren’t helped in my thought process by their poor attendances this season.

BURNLEY: I chose Burnley over neighbours Bolton and Blackburn simply because Turf Moor is the sort of throwback football ground that we need to remind us of bygone days. That, their passionate fans, and a soft spot I’ve had for them for years due to a never ending Northern Ireland connection gets Burnley in.

CARDIFF: If I’m putting in the Old Firm of Scotland, there’s no reason not to add the top team in Wales. They have potential galore and a huge catchment area in terms of fans. And the city is full of fun.

None of the big boys would fancy playing away to Cardiff adding the fighting underdog element we always require in the top flight.

CELTIC/RANGERS: These two come as a job lot. Yes, I know they would bring a bit of baggage with them but I genuinely believe the Old Firm would make the Premiership bigger and better. Let’s face it, only Liverpool and United are bigger in Britain. Somewhere down the line there will be a European League. Why not get the British League going now. Maybe in years to come Linfield and Glentoran could become involved!

CHELSEA: I would have included Chelsea even if I had done this before the arrival of Roman Abramovich and his billions. Youngsters born in the X-Factor era may not know this but before Simon Cowell took over the world, Chelsea were a top club thanks to Peter Osgood, Kerry Dixon and the old Shed End.

EVERTON: Almost always in the shadow of the Reds across the city, but still a major name themselves. Have to be in.

LEEDS: In League One at the moment, the sooner they get back to the Premier the better. Great club with a fantastic history and a stadium that rocks when the other big boys visit.

LIVERPOOL: See first sentence of Arsenal. Add in the most successful club in English football history with the best fans around. You could not imagine a top flight without them.

MANCHESTER CITY: See Everton. Plus all the money makes them even more intersting. Also outstanding fans.

MANCHESTER UNITED: See first sentence of Arsenal and Liverpool. Add in a home ground which houses almost 80,000 and the fact that more than anyone they have made the Premier League the monumental success it is today.

NEWCASTLE: When the star-studded Magpies, managed by Kevin Keegan, playing sensational football, were in the Premier League they were a joy. That vintage would be most welcome, though I’m not so sure about Mike Ashley’s current ramshackle bunch.

NOTTS FOREST: Not close to being the biggest football club in England, but maybe because I’m just a sucker for European glory, I’d like to see a side that won the continent’s biggest prize in 1979 and 1980 in amongst the game’s elite.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: A bit like Birmingham, the Premier League would be better served with a club from Sheffield. Sorry Blades fans, Wednesday get the nod.

STOKE CITY: The Britannia Stadium is new but unlike most of the arenas built in the last 20 years, it doesn’t lack soul or noise. Stoke deserve to be in the top 20 especially as long as the brilliant Tony Pulis is manager.

SUNDERLAND: I thought about Southampton, Ipswich and QPR and they were a bit unlucky not to get in, but Sunderland edge into the top 20 because football is the main thing in the town, though unlike the over exposed Toon Army, they don’t go on about it all the time.

TOTTENHAM: They may not have won the league since the early 60s but Spurs remain a big club with a tremendous reputation for playing the game with a bit of style.

WEST BROM: I feel a bit bad about this but I’ve gone for the Baggies over Wolves simply because the former traditionally play better football than the latter.

WEST HAM: Well, you can’t leave the winners of the 1966 World Cup out, can you?