National League launch campaign for extra League Two promotion spot

National League clubs have called on the EFL to allow three teams to be promoted to League Two at the end of next season.

Only two teams have been promoted from the fifth tier since 2003 – the league champion and the play-off winner.

Bromley ended their 123-year wait for EFL football last season following a play-off penalty shootout win over Solihull Moors at Wembley.

The 72 teams in National League, National League North and National League have called on EFL clubs to vote to increase that number at their annual general meeting in June as part of a newly-launched ‘3UP’ campaign.

“Promotions have benefitted the vast majority of our clubs during this 21-year period, but a third spot – bringing the National League into line with the rest of the game – would be completely transformative,” National League chief executive Mark Ives said.

“The 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.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD