The National League respond to York City’s open letter urging for 3 up 3 down

The National League respond to York City’s open letter urging for 3 up 3 down after losing in the 2024/25 playoff semi final.

The National League supports the club’s call for increased promotion spots to EFL League Two through its 3UP campaign, which seeks to add a third promotion place to align with the broader football pyramid.

Currently, only the National League champion earns automatic promotion, with one additional spot contested via play-offs.

The proposed change would enhance fluidity in the football pyramid, offering more opportunities for clubs to advance or recover from relegation.

The campaign, backed by all 72 National League clubs and widely supported by fans (93% in favour per an FSA survey), has been discussed with the EFL, which holds the authority to implement the change.

The National League urges the EFL to formally debate and vote on the proposal.

No team promoted from the National League to the EFL has been relegated the following season, underscoring the case for reform.

NATIONAL LEAGUE STATEMENT:

The National League acknowledges York City FC’s open letter regarding the current promotion places between the league and EFL League Two.

Earlier this year, the League launched its 3UP campaign with the backing of all 72 clubs across the three National League divisions to bring this exact issue to wider attention and promote a change. York City FC have been one of the most vocal supporters throughout the season and we continue to work with them.

The 3UP campaign aims to increase the number of promotion spots from two to three, aligning the National League with the high echelons the football pyramid. Under the existing structure, only the National League champions earn automatic promotion, with the second to seventh-place teams battling it out through play-off matches for the other slot.

The National League has proposed that three teams be promoted to EFL League Two, as soon as is logistically possible. It feels that this would create a more fluid football pyramid and offer greater opportunities for clubs to progress based on merit. It also provides more opportunity for relegated clubs to return to the EFL.

The EFL alone has the ability to facilitate this change, and the National League has been in regular dialogue with them this year asking them to reconsider their current position and advance the process. In the first instance, we would like to see the matter formally debated by and then voted upon by EFL clubs.

The campaign has garnered widespread support from clubs and fans alike across the English football landscape. A survey of fans by the FSA showed overwhelming support of the 3UP from fans of Premier League, EFL and National League clubs. 1,980 fans in total were surveyed and returned the following results:

• 93% agreed with 3UP in principle
• 87% of all fans agreed it should be put in place for the 25/26 season
• 86% of Premier League & EFL fans surveyed supported 3UP in principle
• 83% of EFL fans surveyed supported 3UP in principle

It’s been over 20 years since the National League gained a second promotion place back in 2003 with over 32 current EFL clubs having spent time in the National League in the past including clubs like Luton Town who were the first club to go from the National League to the Premier League.

In fact, since automatic promotion began from the National League to the EFL, none of the 57 teams promoted from the National League have ever suffered relegation the following season, a record added to by the success of both Chesterfield and Bromley this season.

Ahead of tomorrow’s Promotion Final now is a good time to re-iterate our collective support for the #3UP campaign by sharing this new video 📹

Please engage and share – together we can promote change and look to #PutFootballFirst pic.twitter.com/pOercERYGu

— The National League (@TheVanaramaNL) May 31, 2025

National League Chair, Jack Pearce MBE said: “Of course we acknowledge York’s position this season and recent statement. We agree with the sentiment of more promotion places and continue to lobby the EFL to get a third place as soon as possible.

“3UP would mean a fluid football pyramid where teams can win promotion from the bottom to the top fairly. It will give more opportunity to clubs relegated from EFL League 2 to ‘bounce back’. We have consulted with the leagues below ours in Step 3 who are also supportive of this change – as their clubs could benefit from this change in the long term.

“In a year where the governance of football is being debated in Parliament, we feel 3UP should feature high on everyone’s agenda, otherwise the National League’s needs are being overlooked. At the same time, we feel that this change should be made now and not be contingent on wider issues.

“We hope that a resolution can be found as quickly as possible and with the help of clubs and fans will continue to campaign on the matter until that happens.”

Lincoln City chairman Clive Nates responds to York City’s statement on 3 up 3 down proposal

Twitter users reacted as The National League respond to York City’s open letter urging for 3 up 3 down…

@MikePannett: York City are 100% correct. The current promotion system is not fit for purpose and doesn’t reflect the professional football clubs within the National League. Huge investment with an unfair and unrealistic opportunity to progress. #3UP

@samchivers97: #PutFootballFirst #3UP

@Ann687052: Shame it’s taken so long to back up #ycfc. Am also disappointed that more clubs have not come out in support, given 72 clubs agreed to the campaign/suggestion of #3up

@danisawolf: It should be 3 up 3 down

@JayHyde87: This was mentioned well before York came second and most clubs signed a petition to have the format changed. Timing perfect as it clearly highlights the issue faced.

@YorvikRed: Well done Julie-Anne, finally someone brave enough to make a stand about the need for 3UP. I very much hope for the sake of all clubs in non league that this is acted on.

@DaveyChaps: I don’t massively agree with this, but with the gap between L2 and National League isn’t that vast anymore & 3 relegated from L2 would certainly shit some teams up!

@Scotty_mc10: Fair point! To finish on 96 pts and not go up is incredibly harsh!

@KevBirnie: Should have been changed to 3 up 3 down a long time ago. But in the current day, No league 2 team is saying yes to that when there’s a vote for it put in front of them. #EFL #NL #CUFC

@GRPUNTZ: It is definitely a good idea for a 3 up system. Can think of many times where teams have hit 90 point mark and not been rewarded for it. Like Wrexham and notts county season and same again here. Sounds salty because of the timing but it’s a valid point

@eagleyates: Hard not to disagree tbh. I realise play offs are great for end of season excitement that keeps the top six in contention right to the wire but Hey ! York should have been promoted automatically IMO. #reform