Should 3 Clubs be promoted from the National League?

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

 

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

This needs to be given serious thought from the EFL. It's time to increase the number of promotion places from the National League.

My proposal would be for two automatic promotion places & the third place decided by playoffs between the clubs that finished from 3rd to 6th in the National League.

[super_ram]

  On 05/02/2025 at 12:03, Robbie said:

This needs to be given serious thought from the EFL. It's time to increase the number of promotion places from the National League.

My proposal would be for two automatic promotion places & the third place decided by playoffs between the clubs that finished from 3rd to 6th in the National League.

Expand  

A very sensible proposal @Robbie.Unfortunately the powers that be don't always make the most sensible decisions.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

If the National League wishes to become more in line with other leagues, it should increase promotion from two to three teams. The playoffs are extremely unfair for some teams, while I like that there's a gap between the 2nd and 3rd teams playing. It's not exactly a reward when they are knocked out by a team that only just finished in the playoffs. Yes, it's encouraging to see these upsets sometimes. I do believe 2nd place should automatically qualify for promotion to League Two.

Teams in League Two might not be for this, though, and we know the higher up you are, the more importance they seem to have over these decisions.

Yet which is best for football?

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

You can bet your bottom dollar that the EFL teams will turn it down. I don't think the teams will want an extra team being relegated to the non league.

Another solution would be to admit the National League into the EFL as League 3.

You could then have four teams promoted from League 3 & four teams relegated from League 2 to League 3.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

 

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

 

[menzinho]

Having been into the National League I think it makes a lot of sense now. The difference between the bottom half of League 2 and top 10 in the National League is minimal. But more importantly as bad as being relegated is, it will make it easier to get promoted again.

For me the issues would be more with the National League Board which was pretty shambolic at times, when anything didn’t go as planned they had no idea how to deal with it. Their communication was shocking at times and the distribution of funding with the COVID payouts was scandalous. The teams might be EFL standard, not sure behind the scenes the league is though.

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

When we were in the National league I was definitely in favour of 3 teams being promoted but now we are in the league I’m not sure, in case we get sucked into a relegation fight in the future, is that selfish? Probably.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

I think it is only fair that three clubs should be promoted from the National League & three relegated from League 2.

It's time that the EFL put an end to the protectionism that stops any more than two clubs being relegated from League 2 currently.

The standard of the National League has risen year by year and the league can already be classed as a league 3 in all but name.

[liampie]

i think more league two teams will be the stumbling point and i can see them being listened to more due to their professional standings in football, but i think 3 is fair. it makes sense.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

  On 07/02/2025 at 23:52, liampie said:

i think more league two teams will be the stumbling point and i can see them being listened to more due to their professional standings in football, but i think 3 is fair. it makes sense.

Expand  

I think a good compromise would be for the third from bottom team in League 2 play the team that finished in third place in the National league over two legs to determine whether the third from bottom team survives or the third from top team gets promoted.

Alternatively, playoffs in the National League between the clubs that finished 3rd to 6th to determine who plays the 3rd from bottom team in League 2.

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

  On 08/02/2025 at 10:23, Robbie said:

I think a good compromise would be for the third from bottom team in League 2 play the team that finished in third place in the National league over two legs to determine whether the third from bottom team survives or the third from top team gets promoted.

Expand  

I think that’s a great idea, can you imagine the tension at that match?

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

The financial difference between EFL2 and NL is huge. A million £ per club for starters. @menzinho mentioned minimal difference between top 10 of NL and bottom of EFL2...

Giving that some thought...Morecambe and Carlisle have demonstrated even at the bottom of EFL2, games are difficult, there are no easy wins.

You will not get 3 up three down without some sort of financial settlement (parachute payment) being agreed beforehand. To me, the only answer is an EFL3 status, with 4% of TV distribution monies going to EFL3 ( existing 80% Championship, 12% EFL1, 8% EFL2). Premier League should be forced to include overseas TV income in distribution model, dictated by an Independent Football Regulator

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

It would be a good move for the National League to become EFL league 3. If that were to happen, why not have four up and four down?

It would certainly increase interest in the lower tiers and give hope to all those clubs in the National League North & South.

[liampie]

the thing which league teams need to understand that relegation could be like many before, a way to allow them to get the club focused on doing the right things. you dont end up in relegation fights without reason. only smaller clubs would be concerned that it might not see them turn out this way, i think the majority would become instant big clubs tho.

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

One particular point comes to mind, relegated EFL2 teams to NL effectively have removed protection to their youth teams, so any EFL club can come poaching for talent. Is that fair?

The only way to protect is EFL3