All 72 National League clubs have written to the EFL Board, requesting the addition of three promotion and relegation positions between the two leagues beginning next season.

Prior to 1987, automatic promotion did not exist, and the bottom four EFL clubs had to survive a vote of member clubs to preserve their position. In 2003, the play-off system was used to introduce a second promotion position. Although constructive talks between the National League and the EFL to increase that number to three have stagnated. The Football League said it will address the issue once the soon-to-be-installed Independent Regulator resolves the major financing dispute between the EFL and the Premier League. According to BBC Sport, National League general manager Mark Ives believes it may be up to four years before an additional promotion spot is explored – which is not acceptable.

“The regulator will be set up in law this year, I am fairly certain of that,” Ives told the crowd. “But by the time it is set up, begun, people trained, and all of the Bill’s parts are in place, and perhaps the Premier League-EFL conflict has been resolved with a backstop, it might be three years. “Then we’ll talk about the three-up campaign, which will be delayed by another year. That may mean four seasons. “We have a pyramid that is the envy of countries throughout the world because you can move from the bottom to the top based only on athletic ability. But there is a blockage in the jump between National League and EFL. Two-up, two-down is simply unfair.

“I believe the vast majority of supporters, looking at it objectively, would recognise the unfairness. “We want a fairer system.” Relations between the EFL and the National League frayed when Ives represented his group at a Premier League reception in the Houses of Parliament in April. National League teams are afraid that if the regulator becomes involved in costly conflicts with clubs, the cost of legal fees will filter down to their level. The EFL believes the National League’s attitude undermines their demands for a larger share of the Premier League’s finances. “It is an interesting debate,” Ives remarked. “We had certain concerns with the regulator where we varied from the EFL doesn’t mean we are aligned with the Premier League. That is a misnomer, it is absolutely not true.”

The National League includes 15 former EFL clubs. Over the last decade, eight of the 19 League Two teams that were demoted have been promoted. Ives can’t see why EFL teams would reject the three-up, three-down model. “I am often asked why would clubs in League One and League Two vote for it,” Ives told reporters. “I’d rather look at it another way. If you fall through that very tight trap door and have to try to climb out, you want to give yourself the best opportunity of making progress.”

Chesterfield were National League champions last season and are currently 10th in League Two, whereas Bromley won the play-off final against Solihull Moors and are 16th. Forest Green Rovers and Sutton United, the two relegated clubs, are currently second and tenth respectively in the fifth tier. In a statement, the EFL stated: “Recognising the strength of the pyramid, the league has been consistent in its commitment to looking both upwards and downwards when considering future changes.” “As such, we remain willing to consider changes to the current position on promotion and relegation in the EFL, but these discussions must be part of a broader package of reforms which benefit all levels of the game.”

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