Update emerges on the much talked about National League and EFL proposal

An update emerges from the National League and EFL on the much talked about ‘three up three down’ proposal wanted by so many.

As we know by now, just two promotion places are up for grabs, one automatic and the other being through the playoffs, from the fifth tier to the fourth.

However, four teams get promoted from League Two to League One and now there are strong calls to even it out to three up, three down across the English Football League are growing ever louder.

One of the arguments put forward is that the National League arguably has bigger clubs than of those in League Two, with the likes of Chesterfield, Wrexham, Notts County and Southend United all averaging bigger crowds than some of those in the division above.

No matter clubs’ fanbase size however, in recent years, so many teams have shown they are more than capable of handling it in League Two the following season after winning promotion. So even get promoted again not long after, winning in EFL Trophy finals, or achieving a playoff place in League Two.

National League general manager, Marc Ives, confirmed that talks are ‘ongoing’ and while some fans think it will be impossible for it to happen as clubs potentially have to vote on these plans, it seems that isn’t putting off a discussion between the two league organisations.

Many a player, pundit, manager and club have spoke in favour of change.

“Would a three up, three down situation be better for the game, not just the National League but across the pyramid of football from step six right the way up through the game? Would it be better? Yes of course it would,” Ives told the BBC.

“I can’t go into the details but we are having conversations with the EFL about progressing that and what I can say is that they are constructive conservations and I would be hopeful at some stage in the future we will get into that situation where we have three up, three down. It is what football deserves. They are ongoing conversations.”

However, Ives confirmed that any proposal would need to be approved by EFL clubs.

He added: “It is a fantastic league, it is a tough league to get out of with a lot of very good clubs in it, so if you are an EFL club that comes down would you not want the opportunity to get out of it as soon as you possibly can? Three up, three down is a better way of achieving that.

“We have a fantastic working relationship with the EFL, we meet with them on a regular basis. I’m fairly certain that I’m comfortable in saying in what we really want is what is right for football across the game.”

On the playoff final location: “Not signed on dotted line yet, but we are planning on holding the final at Wembley on the 13th of May.

Presenter Paul Mace brought up the subject to Mark Ives back in January 2022, delivering an interesting response to being asked if there would be more automatic promotion spots.

Back then, Mark Ives wanted to see a change, saying: “I think it is hugely important for the credibility of the competition, if you look right the way through the system and how many teams get promoted, we’re the only one that has two up into the EFL. And the one thing that I have always lived my approach by within my dealings within football is I’ll be treating people fairly, is it fair, is it right that we only have two up when actually further up and below they have three or four, so is it something that we are striving for, yes. Is it a top priority, yes. It makes the system even fairer.”

When asked, “What has to happen to get to that point?”, Mark replied: “Without going into too much details, the key players are us and the EFL and I’m delighted to say that the relationship is really good, we work closely together, we consult with each other. When we have people move up into the EFL, I want them to be properly prepared ready to go into the EFL, which is why it is important to align ourselves as close as we do to things that happen with the EFL so it’s a smooth transition for those clubs that leave us and go into the EFL and do it seamlessly, and equally those coming down the other way aren’t finding it too much a revenge of course, it’s going to be upsetting for clubs getting relegated but I like to think the quality of the game is not so far away from the EFL and we keep that align it makes it better. So back to the point of the numbers that need to go up, I think we need to be it align with the rest of the system so it is equal and that’s a big big plus for us.”

When asked by the BBC in June 2022 about ‘Three-up, three-down?’, his response was: “We have made it clear three-up, three-down is something we would like to pursue. Absolutely we are having open dialogue about it. It would be fairer and more fitting for our competition.

“It is a matter for the EFL and it has to have discussions with its clubs but is it something it is willing to have dialogue over? I think so.”

Grimsby’s win against Solihull in playoff final last season, meant they became the first side since Cheltenham in 2015-16 to get promoted back to the EFL in the season after they went down.

Prior to 2021/22, of the previous 20 clubs to get promoted from the National League, only four – Grimsby, Macclesfield, Barnet and York – have ended up being relegated again.

This only gives more reason to the National League argument for an additional promotion place, of course we’ve seen Ives pushing for, however he reckons those in the Football League are against it unsurprisingly.

Listen to my conversation with National League general manager Mark Ives.

We spoke about the League’s new streaming platform, the prospect of ‘3 up 3 down’, the playoff final location and much more.https://t.co/G1zWkb875T

— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) December 3, 2022