National League CEO Mark Ives talks 3 up 3 down, regulator, FA Cup replays, National League Cup

The National League CEO Mark Ives talks the new 3 up 3 down, independent regulator, FA Cup replays, National League Cup and PL2 teams.

Kevin Hunter Day and Kieran Maguire spoke with the National League chief executive about a variety of topics, and some of which fans wanted answers to, especially after recent backlash and anger.

Twitter users were asked prior the interview to put forward their questions to be asked to Ives, with many of them being spoken about, You can hear the episode in full below or read on with answers in brief further down in the article…

3 up 3 down
Interviewer: “The issue of 3 up and 3 down between the National League and and League 2, which is, I believe, something you’re very keen to see. Has there been any meaningful discussions with the EFL? Why are you so keen on it happening, and will it happen?”

Mark: “Yeah. So, multitude of questions in there, but are we keen for it? It is the number one priority for us. It’s one of 3 key areas, 3 up 3 down, protection of players. By that, I mean, compensation for our clubs. So that’s where it stands at the moment, 16, 17 year olds, the high risk long clubs can come in for our players, take them, and there’s no compensation deal when the clubs have been spending all that time training and developing those players that doesn’t seem right, you get to the next level and there’s protection. So that’s the other area. And the and the, third one, in my top 3, if you wish, is the issue around artificial pitches. But let’s deal with the 3 up 3 down.

“I think it would be difficult to argue that the product we have in the National League is a quality game. So if you look at the progression of the clubs that have promote, that have been promoted and generally how well they have performed when they go up. Clubs leave us on promotion in an excellent position both on and off the field of play. Generally, they progress. Luton is one, got to the Premier League, but many others succeed in the EFL.

“And what we believe is the light to a fluid pyramid of football. As it stands, we have 2 up, 2 down. EFL 2 have 2 down and 4 up from EFL 2 to EFL 1. EFL 1 has 4 down and 3 up, and championship is 3 up and 3 down. So we don’t actually have a pyramid.

“We have an hourglass with the bottleneck at National League level who only has the opportunity for 2 to be promoted. So if you look at the current structure of the National League, what does that mean? If you look at the current structure of the National League, it includes 15 clubs who were formerly EFL clubs. Is it we’ve got 11 in the national division, 3 in the National League North, and 1 in the National League South. And what that tells me is that it’s a really tough league to get out.

“Not only because it’s a competitive league, but it has a smaller exit door. So anybody who comes down has got a real struggle to get back up. And is that right? Now we know and respect that there are considerations to be had with the EFL in able to bring this bring this forward. We’ve had some really constructive feedback, and I think there is generally some really good feeling about moving in that direction.

“But in our view, there’s nothing in there that’s insurmountable and shouldn’t be addressed. So do I think it’ll happen? I do. How soon? I would hope sooner rather than later.”

DAZN Broadcast Deal
I think it’s really important to record a thanks to our previous broadcast partners BT Sport/TNT Sports who we had a tremendous relationship with. We parted company on great terms. I want to recognise what the partnership did over the years for the Vanarama National League.

That said, we are extremely proud and delighted to have partnered with DAZN. We launched National League TV (NLTV) a couple of years ago and DAZN are taking over – as a joint venture – the streaming element as well as showing enhanced games on the DAZN platform.

NLTV will sit on DAZN’s platform but there will be no need for supporters to take out any additional subscriptions. DAZN and NLTV will be available through a number of access points. It has a global reach and is accessible virtually everywhere. Fans will see little difference in terms of accessibility – they will be able to buy passes in the same way they can already on NLTV – with no need to take out any additional subscriptions.

National League Cup
We tend to hear publicly when people are not enthused but what you don’t hear are the people who are enthused and supportive of the competition and can see the benefits – and there are a lot of those as well. There are some people who had concerns and that includes some of our clubs too. We went through constructive discussions with our clubs and some voiced concerns. Clubs had an option to enter or not, some didn’t.

From a footballing perspective it gives the opportunity for squad players to gain first-term experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for our clubs to play against the PL2 clubs but also, it’s a fantastic opportunity for the PL2 clubs to play against senior players from the National League.

I’m happy with how it’s going so far. The games have been competitive and haven’t been one-sided. It’s a really good start and the feedback we’ve had from clubs to date has been really positive.

Fans hit back at Mark Ives’ comments on National League Cup which sees low attendances

Independent Regulator

The National League has never said it is against the Regulator. When we had our first meetings with Tracy Crouch on the Fan Led Review, we made it clear that we wanted to be a part of it. We’ve embraced the Regulator ever since but that doesn’t mean we have to embrace every part of it. How can you fight against a situation that is protecting the financial stability and heritage of clubs? We are totally in support of the Regulator.

FA Cup Replays
We have at no stage voiced our support for the scrapping of FA Cup replays or otherwise. It was a decision made by the Professional Game Board (PGB) which is made up of the FA, Premier League and EFL.

The problem facing the PGB is the increased pressure on the fixture calendar at the higher echelons of the game, there is simply no opportunity for replays to be played in those latter rounds. That has been a genuine challenge that the PGB had to address.

The FA Cup is the crown jewel of the FA competitions – it’s the greatest competition in the world. It needs an objective look to the decision made. Over the last five years, the average number of National League System clubs to get a replay in the First Round is three. In the Second Round there’s one and in the Third Round it’s less than one. So the number of clubs financially benefitting from FA Cup replays is not that high. The prize pot for rounds one to three has been increased by 38% which will include a guaranteed 32 National League System clubs in the first round.

Personally, I would much rather benefit all clubs that reach the First Round Proper, rather than just a few who happen to get a replay. From a fan’s point of view, the romance of the FA Cup is not solely resting on replays – just ask Tamworth, Brackley Town, Wealdstone, Harborough Town and many others from last weekend.

Here’s what fans had to say as the National League CEO Mark Ives talks new TV deal, regulator, FA Cup replays, National League Cup…

Who are these people? I’ve not seen a single person say it’s a good thing.

The only people who I can think of that are pro National League Cup are club owners themselves

— Richscottmedia (@richscottmedia) November 8, 2024

Listened to @POF_POD interview with Mark Ives. @TheVanaramaNL and @PFA need to sit and talk to each other, get NL recognised as a professional league (it’s already recognised as an elite league, see covid shut downs) and get the players into the PFA asap. Protect the players.

— Marcia Bigg (@marciabigg) November 8, 2024

Did that ever happen? Or because both clubs got promoted they didn’t bother? There’s been at least 2 AGM’s, the minutes aren’t publicly available so who knows if they’ve bothered. @RMcElhenney and @VancityReynolds were really vocal about 3 up/3 down, but it’s all gone quiet 🤷‍♀️

— Marcia Bigg (@marciabigg) November 8, 2024

@OlCrabtree: @POF_POD Interesting interview with Mark Ives, some of his views are incongruous, as @KieranMaguire said the NL Trophy games are a resounding failure with fans. Fans are losing the hope of FA Cup replay memories & hope is what drives fans, who are integral to Club finances. The reality of 3G pitches is different, I’m not sure all of these surfaces are of sufficient quality & are patchworks of newer & older surfaces. I can understand the economic benefits but what are the aims of these clubs? Do Tamworth want to be EFL? What about Gateshead who may not meet the criteria for promotion yet challenge near the top? The NL has a lot of Clubs who can’t or don’t want to actually get promoted as their business model doesn’t allow it.

@TheFootyScout2·:We tend to hear publicly when people are not enthused but what you don’t hear are the people who are enthused and supportive of the competition and can see the benefits – Absolute Clown statement 🤡