EFL CLUBS SCARED OF CASH COST

JULIE-Anne Uggla, the co-owner of York City, should probably have dug into the history books before she published an open letter railing against the iniquity of the play-offs.

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Uggla expressed “deep concern and disappointment” at the current promotion system “following a season where York City FC, despite finishing 28 points clear of seventh place and winning 12 more matches, were denied promotion”.

That's the same York City FC who, in 2021-22, finished 21 points behind second-placed Brackley yet won the National League North play-offs. Swings and roundabouts and all that.

Nevertheless, it's hard not to sympathise with Uggla, and practically everyone - with the possible exception of Brackley - shares her sense of injustice.

When the 3UP campaign was launched in February, demanding an extra promotion and relegation place between the EFL and National League, dissent was minimal.

An Early Day Motion in the House of Commons was supported by MPs from all three major parties.

A survey of 1,980 fans conducted by the Football Supporters' Association found that 92.5 per cent were in favour of change, of whom 83 per cent were fans of EFL and Premier League clubs.

Upheaval