National League clubs unite to call for extra promotion place into EFL
All 72 National League clubs have called for the English Football League to introduce an extra promotion place into League Two.
The clubs unanimously agreed last week to throw their support behind one of the most significant changes to English footballâs structure in recent history, and have written to the EFL requesting the organisation puts it to a vote at its end-of-season annual general meeting.
Currently, whereas there are three promotion and relegation places between the Premier League, Championship and League One, and four between that tier and League Two, there are only two between the bottom tier of the EFL and the top of the National League.
Clubs outside the EFL believe it puts them at an unfair disadvantage when attempting to climb the pyramid and gain access to lucrative rewards.
âNational League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country,â National League chairman Jack Pearce said.
âThe majority of these clubs are over a century old and part of the fabric of their communities.
âAn extra promotion place for these clubs into the EFL would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters â plus clubs in the leagues below. We simply canât wait any longer for parity within the game.â
Senior National League officials say that its EFL counterparts have long supported the prospect of adding a third spot to level the playing field, but they have grown frustrated with delays.
The EFL has told them that it wants to wait until discussions between the EFL and the Premier League around an independent regulator and the distribution of finances have been resolved.
But talks have already dragged on for years and there are concerns it will take several more before anything is resolved.
The National League wants changes to be made to the rulebook this summer and in effect for next season and have launched the â3UPâ campaign to push through efforts.
âWhilst we recognise and respect the EFLâs verbal support for the National League on three promotions, our clubs have now made it abundantly clear that they see no reason for a further delay on the official process,â Pearce added.
âRick Parry, the EFL chair, has often said that the EFL should look down as well as up so weâd now like that to actually happen.â
How likely is the campaign to succeed?

Those who work outside the professional game have rarely seen this many clubs come together so unanimously since the Conference, the name of the original league that offered promotion into League Two, formed in 1979.
Back then, there was only one in one out, which became two in and two out in 2003 but has not changed in over two decades.
For an extra place to happen, it will require the majority of the EFL clubs to vote in favour.
Yet while it may sound like turkeys voting for Christmas â what clubs in their right mind would vote to give themselves a higher chance of relegation? â it is more nuanced and complex than that, and National League insiders are convinced it has a chance of being passed.
For a start, while it would increase the odds of relegation out of the EFL, it will also increase the odds of promotion back into it.
âAn additional spot would mean a fluid football pyramid where teams can win promotion from the bottom to the top fairly,â Pearce said.
âIt will give more opportunity to clubs relegated from League Two to bounce back.
âWe have consulted with the leagues below ours in Step 3 who are also supportive of this change â as their clubs could benefit from this change in the long term.â
There are now almost an entire league of clubs who have been in the National League in the past decade or so who are, it is thought, supportive of the prospect.
Some believe as it stands the vote would hang in the balance and it is hoped those reticent can be persuaded.
It is understood that it will likely come down to a vote of either League One and Two clubs, or just those in League Two, and that the Championship, which is less impacted by the change, will support the majority decision.
Big money has been thrown at clubs outside the professional leagues in recent times and has transformed the fortunes and professionalism at that level.
Many self-made multi-millionaires, who once upon a time would have owned a top-flight club but can no longer compete with nation states and US hedge funds financially, are seeing potential and value at that level to grow organically.
The i Paper has told many of their stories, such as the rebirth of Macclesfield FC, created from the assets of the original Macclesfield Town bought by local businessman Rob Smethurst who has led them to successive promotions, and Real Bedford, whose chairman Peter McCormack is hoping can reach the EFL using Bitcoin.
Gary Neville and his Class of 92 mates bought Salford City and successfully steered them to League Two. Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham and guided them into League One. Forest Green Rovers have achieved multiple promotions under the ownership of green millionaire Dale Vince.
All the clubs now want is a fair crack at reaching the elusive and lucrative lands of League Two and beyond.
âThe National League has had two promotional places since 2003, which have helped transform the fortunes of countless local football clubs and enabled fairytale stories such as Luton Townâs ascent from the National League â through the football pyramid â into the Premier League in 2023,â National League chief executive Mark Ives said.
âPromotions have benefitted the vast majority of our clubs during this 21-year period, but a third spot â bringing the National League into line with the rest of the game â would be completely transformative.
âThe National League currently has 15 clubs that are former EFL clubs. These 15 clubs, along with the other clubs in the league, are being disadvantaged by this unfair structure. They are being prevented promotion on sporting merit that they would otherwise deserve and benefit from under 3UP.â