https://yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/an-o ... e-the-efl/York didn't complain when they got promoted from NLN via the playoffs. Maybe didn't matter then when it suited them.
Chuckle.
IN CASE THE LINK IS PROBLEMATIC ⬇️
Re: Unjust Promotion Rules – A Call for Immediate Reform
Dear National League and Mr. Birch,
"I am writing to express my deep concern and disappointment at the current promotion system between the National League and League Two, following a season where York City FC, despite finishing 28 points clear of 7th place and winning 12 more matches, were denied promotion.
Such a glaring imbalance not only undermines sporting merit but erodes the very foundations of fair competition. To dominate a league campaign so comprehensively (Barnet the only exception), only to be forced into a playoff lottery, is structurally unjust. It penalises excellence and rewards clubs with fewer points in a way no professional league system should condone.
While I am aware of the historical basis for the two-up structure, it is no longer fit for purpose. The gap between the top National League clubs and the lower EFL clubs has narrowed, and in many cases reversed, making the case for three-up promotion beyond compelling.
The “3UP” campaign rightly reflects the sentiment of every National League club and countless supporters. But waiting until 2025–26 only deepens the injustice for clubs like York City, who have already paid the price for a system built on outdated assumptions."