It’s time for 3UP into league – Jeff Stelling

By Matt Badcock

Legendary broadcaster Jeff Stelling has added his weight to the campaign for the Football League to promote three clubs from the National League.

A second promotion place to the EFL – decided through play-offs – was introduced in 2002-03 but there have long been calls for Non-League’s top tier to be moved in line with the EFL divisions, who have at least three teams promoted.

The National League launched their 3UP campaign last month and would like the change to be voted on by League clubs at the EFL’s AGM this June so it could be implemented in time for the 2025-26 season.

Stelling spoke to our sister publication, The NLP, about the issue ahead of Non-League Day yesterday.

LEADING THE WAY: Barnet are favourites to take the one automatic spot from the National League into the EFL this season and, inset, Jeff Stelling
PICTURE: Alamy

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The 70-year-old is an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, who have supported NLD for more than a decade.

“I’ve been told by people within the Football League for years that three-up was just around the corner,” said Stelling, president and minority shareholder of National League side Hartlepool United.

“I’m not sure how far in the distance that corner is but it’s not been getting much closer!

“Look, being reasonable, I get it.

“For teams in the Football League now, the prospect of three being relegated instead of two is turkeys voting for Christmas.

“But if you’ve got a better opportunity for going up if you do go down, that’s worth thinking about as well, isn’t it?

“I think it’s shameful only one team goes up automatically from the National League.

“It is such a hard division to get out of when there’s only two promotion spots available.

“Talk about it not being a level playing field.”

In a November BBC interview, EFL chairman Rick Parry admitted “we have to acknowledge the need to look downwards as well as upwards”.

But the EFL also insist any change has to come as part of “a broader package of reforms which benefit all levels of the game”.

●Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker can be found at: prostatecanceruk.org/nld-risk