National League clubs back historic campaign that could lead to more Wrexham fairytales

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National League clubs are calling on the EFL to increase the number of teams being promoted from the end of next season.

At present, two teams go up from the National League to League Two each season - the champions and the play-off winners.

More National League teams are hoping to follow in Wrexham's footsteps

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More National League teams are hoping to follow in Wrexham's footstepsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

That has been the case since 2003, but clubs are now campaigning to increase that number to three and increase progression opportunities.

Recent success stories include Luton's promotion from the National League in 2014, which culminated in them reaching the Premier League nine years later.

More recently, Wrexham - owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney - secured promotion back to the EFL in 2023, before securing a spot in League One via a second-straight promotion last term.

If they go up this season, the Welsh side would be celebrating three consecutive promotions and then be playing in the Championship, one division below the Premier League.

While critics will point to their financial might, it still represents a fairytale rise for the club.

With 24 teams currently vying for just two promotion spots in the National League, the 72 National League teams and its North and South feeder divisions are part of a newly-launched '3UP' campaign to make a change.

The hope is that EFL clubs will vote to implement the change at their annual general meeting in June with the changes proposed to come into effect at the end of the 2025/26 season.

National League chief executive Mark Ives said: "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.

"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."

Just two of 24 teams currently secure promotion from the National League each year

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Just two of 24 teams currently secure promotion from the National League each yearCredit: National League

The National League's chair Jack Pearce added: "Whilst we recognise and respect the EFL's verbal support for the National League on three promotions, our clubs have now made it abundantly clear that they see no reason for a further delay on the official process.

"Rick Parry, the EFL chair, has often said that 'the EFL should look down as well as up' so we'd now like that to actually happen."

The campaign's timing is linked to the expectation that football's independent regulator will be officially established at some stage this year.

Talks over a 'New Deal' on television money between the Premier League and the EFL stalled last March. The regulator is set to be given backstop powers to impose a solution if the leagues cannot agree one.

Pearce added: "[The regulator's] overall stated objectives include providing financial sustainability, economic resilience and preserving the heritage of the sport.

"In terms of heritage, National League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country. The majority of these clubs are over a century old and part of the fabric of their communities.

However National League chief Mark Ives is keen to change that

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However National League chief Mark Ives is keen to change thatCredit: National League

"An extra promotion place for these clubs into the EFL would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters - plus clubs in the leagues below. We simply can't wait any longer for parity within the game.

"We have been consistently told that the EFL support our 3UP position in principle but are reluctant to progress any changes whilst they are consulting with the IFR (regulator) and Premier League regarding their own redistribution of football income.

"However, we believe the 3UP campaign goal is vital to the overall health of the game and the Government's objectives - therefore it should be as high on the agenda as any other matter this year.

"Otherwise, the National League's needs are being overlooked during the IFR process, not least because the specific issues between the EFL and PL could potentially take years to reach a conclusion."

Talks over a 'New Deal' on television money between the Premier League and the EFL stalled last March. The regulator is set to be given backstop powers to impose a solution if the leagues cannot agree one.

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