Gateshead striker Frank Nouble has publicly supported the National League’s ongoing #3UP campaign, during an exclusive appearance on the National League Lowdown podcast.
The experienced forward appeared as a guest during an episode earlier this week, discussing a variety of topics from his career to date to the ongoing campaign.
Nouble joined Gateshead from Yeovil Town and has experienced a cultural playing career, playing across the English leagues – meaning he’d know first hand about the quality needed within each level and how close the fifth tier is to the EFL.
Gateshead forward supports #3UP campaign
Speaking during our recent podcast episode, Nouble expressed his support for the ongoing campaign, stating…
”I think clubs are doing their best in the National League to make it as professional as possible. Clubs like Carlisle & other well supported teams deserve an opportunity to say look if our team is running is running well, has a good base, playing good football and accumulating over 85 points in any division, I think you should have an opportunity to go up.
”York had 96 points or whatever it might have been last year, it’s ridiculous. I think that same team could probably finish in the top ten of League Two easily.
“Hopefully the injustice will stop. I think if we keep talking about it eventually they’ll have to do something about it. It’s a good initiative and hopefully that can be pushed through the doors.”
What is the #3UP campaign?
The #3UP campaign, is an initiative raised by the National League to try and change the current promotion rules between the fifth tier and League Two.
Currently, only one side get’s automatically promoted from the fifth tier, whilst the final spot is decided amongst a six-team play-off based format, whereas in the league above, there are four promotion spots between the third and fourth divisions.
The quality within the National League has consistently improved season-upon-season, with recent FA Cup results showcasing once again that fifth tier sides are as good as they have ever been. Gateshead & Carlisle United knocked out League One opposition, whilst the likes of Brackley Town and Boreham Wood also beat EFL sides.
Similarly, there hasn’t been a promoted National League side that was relegated in their first EFL season for some time, with many secured back-to-back promotions up to League One itself.
Have any EFL sides backed it?
Recently, Oldham Athletic confirmed they were in favour of the #3UP campaign, whilst former England manager Roy Hodgson & TV present Jeff Stelling have also supported the proposition from the National League.
During a recent survey upon the launch of the initiative in February, 93% of football fans were also in favour of the stance after a poll was launched by the Football Supporters Association.
Similarly, despite limited responses from the EFL, the National League recently launched a petition for football fans to sign and its currently had over 5,000 signatures.