The chairman of an EFL club has reacted to the challenge from National League outfit York City for reform of the football pyramid.
Julie-Anne Uggla, who is the co-owner of York, has described the current set-up of only two sides being promoted into Sky Bet League Two instead of three as “no longer fit for purpose” in a recent open letter.
It came after York finished second and only narrowly missed out on promotion back into the EFL.
Lincoln City chair reacts to York City challenge:
Clive Nates, the South African chairman of Lincoln City took to LinkedIn to offer his reaction to York’s calls.
The Imps were promoted as champions from the National League in 2017 under the management of the Cowley Brothers, at the end of a six-season stint in non-league.
In his lengthy post, Nates argued that limited protections for the academies of EFL clubs were the main barrier to support for the proposed changes.
He said: “We feel this is the most serious concern that needs to be resolved as it has dire consequences for clubs that are not immediately promoted back to the EFL and should also be a concern for English football in general to have long-standing academies at risk of being destroyed.”
Nates made the arguement that a change was more complicated than many want to admit, adding that there can be prejudicial treatment for clubs dropping down into the National League, with a third relegation spot potentially heightening this.
Evidence of National League vs EFL divide:
Nates’ reaction illustrated a divide between teams in the EFL and those who currently sit towards the top of non-league.
Lincoln, who know what it is like to live on both sides of the divide, and York, who only just evaded promotion by finishing second to Barnet, are completely opposed in their views on the matter.
The ‘3UP’ model would do what it says on the tin, which York expressed their support for, elevating a third team into League Two my opening up another automatic promotion spot while also relegating the 22nd-placed side from the fourth tier.
Promotion/relegation may not be fit for purpose – opinion:
Even as the system remains imbalanced, as more National League clubs close the gap between non-league and the EFL, the reforms to bring in an extra promotion place would need to take into consideration the concerns of clubs like Lincoln City chairman Clive Nates.
Despite the validity of their arguments, York City come off slightly as though they are holding sour grapes after amassing 96 points and winning 29 games without being promoted.
They won 23 more points than Oldham Athletic, who won the Wembley Stadium play-off final just prior to the Minstermen’s statement.
There is no doubt there is an issue with the promotion and relegation from League Two and National League, but there is no quick fix before the 2025/26 season in sight.