York co-owner Julie-Anne Uggla has called for an immediate reform of the promotion and relegation system between the EFL and the National League that would see her club promote League Two.
The ministers missed a return to the football competition when they lost in the play-off semi-final of Oldham, after they were second in the league table behind champions Barnet, 28 points free of the last play-off position.
In February, the National League launched the ‘3UP campaign’ with the aim of securing three promotional places to secure League Two for the 2025/26 season.
But Uggla has called for “an immediate assessment, temporary auxiliary measures or an accelerated implementation of the ‘3UP’ model” with the intention of York who earns immediate promotion to League Two.
In an open letter to the National League and the EFL director Trevor Birch, she said: “I write to express my deep concern and disappointment about the current promotion system between the National League and League Two, after a season in which York City FC, despite the ending of 28 points, was refused of seventh place and 12 more similarities and 12 more similarities and 12 more similarities.
“Such a striking imbalance not only undermines the sporting merit, but affects the foundations of fair competition.
“To completely dominate a competition campaign (Barnet the only exception), only to be forced in a play-off lottery, is structurally unjust.
“The punishment is punished and rewards inferiority in a way that no professional competition system should approve.
“Although I am aware of the historical basis for the two-up structure, it is no longer suitable for the goal.
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“The gap between the best National League clubs and the lower EFL clubs has been reduced, and in many cases reversed, making triple promotion out of fascinating promotion.
“The ‘3UP’ campaign rightly reflects the sentiment of every National League club and countless supporters.
“But wait until 2025–26, the injustice only deepens for clubs such as York City, who have already paid the price for a system built on outdated assumptions.
“I urge both administrative bodies to consider urgent transitional reform, whether it is now via immediate assessment, temporary auxiliary measures or an accelerated implementation of the ‘3UP’ model.
“At the very least, the outcome of this season would have to cause a fair re -evaluation of what fairness in football really means.
“For clubs, fans and the integrity of the English football pyramid, it is time to reward merit and to restore credibility for the system.”
Oldham returned to the Football League after they had defeated Southend 3-2 after extra time in the play-off final at Wembley on Sunday.
Uggla added: “I also want to point out that writing this letter should not undermine Oldham Athletic’s performance yesterday from their victory in Wembley, and to Southend United to make the final. Their performance should not go unnoticed.
“Too many great clubs, including Oldham and Southend, have fallen in this competition with little chance of redemption due to the lack of promotional places.
“The current system is simply no longer sustainable.”
The PA -press agency has contacted the EFL for comments.
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