Latest news with #3UP
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
A campaign intended to make football a little less silly
With a reduced slate of action and few transfers of note this week in the men's or women's game (unless you count Mainz signing forward and renowned Gwen Stefani fan Benedict Hollerbach), and still no word on Arne Slot's new residency in Ibiza, Football Daily was fast running out of content for Tuesday's missive. So thank goodness for the open letter from York City owner Julie-Anne Uggla addressed to the National League and the Football League, regarding the 'structurally unjust' promotion system in the fifth tier of English football, which sees just the regular season winners (this season: Barnet) and one playoff winner go up from six teams, who finished second to seventh. Hurray! Uggla is a supporter of the 3UP campaign, which proposes that there should be three (not two) teams promoted from the National League, adopting a similar system to the rest of the Football League. In the Championship, League One and League Two, at least two teams are promoted automatically (three in League Two!), with an additional team going up via the playoffs. It might surprise you to learn that York finished second in the National League, and failed to make the playoff final. Instead, Oldham Athletic, the feeder club of Football Daily's five-a-side team Old and Unathletic, returned to the EFL after beating Southend in the playoff final. For reference, Oldham and Southend finished 23 and 28 points behind York in the regular season, respectively. 'Such a glaring imbalance not only undermines sporting merit but erodes the very foundations of fair competition,' fumed Uggla. '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. I urge both governing bodies to urgently consider transitional reform, whether via immediate review, temporary relief measures, or an accelerated implementation of the '3UP' model,' she continued. 'At the very least, this season's outcome should provoke an honest re-evaluation of what fairness in football truly means.' Uggla certainly has a valid point and the principle of fighting for 'fairness' on behalf of all football teams in the National League is a noble one, even if it is slightly soured by the fact that York, having finished second, would have been the key beneficiaries of a change. It might have been stronger for someone without a vested interest to lead the charge here, seeing as York started this season knowing full well what the format and rules were and only initially signed up to the '3UP' model in February, when they were unexpectedly in a three-horse race for the title. Uggla, who bought York in 2023, might also be unaware that the club have benefited from odd football rules of the past: City escaped dropping out of the Football League (the old Third Division) in 1977-78 season when relegation back then was decided not by league placing but by a vote where existing member clubs would just decide which one of the bottom teams would keep their place. Automatic relegation/promotion to/from the fifth tier did not exist at all until 1987, and the second playoff place was only introduced in 2003. All of that aside, Uggla is speaking sense. It is a little silly that York, who finished second on 96 points, were not promoted. But football is a bit silly, and had City instead finished seventh, would Uggla have been so vocal in fighting the good fight? I guess we'll never know. Join Yara El-Shaboury from 6pm BST for minute-by-minute coverage of Spain 3-1 England in the Women's Nations League. 'Of course that reaches you, but we don't care … actually, in fact, I would say thanks to them because it can be extra motivation, petrol to fuel you. And we won. Let them talk and do all the memes they want now' – Pedro Porro gets his chat on with Sid Lowe about Tottenham's Bigger Vase triumph, the 'Spursy' tag and Ange Postecoglou's future in N17. Re: yesterday's Football Daily. At least Inter didn't experience what the Italian team did when they returned home from England in 1966 after a dreadful World Cup. They had tomatoes thrown at them when they landed at the airport in Italy' – John Jones. In the past four years, I have gone from procrastinating at work, in exactly the same job, by endlessly writing to The Fiver to endlessly writing to Football Daily, whereas Vitinha has gone from his only goal at on loan at Wolves (one that wasn't even taken up by Wolves) to this. But, being a high achiever is vastly overrated, probably …' – Noble Francis. While searching for a receipt for a large donut order, I stumbled across an old tea-timely newsletter titled: 'Performing donuts in the centre circle in a car with square wheels.' I was struck by this particular quote: 'So Leicester City's dream of joining Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in the pantheon of unlikely European champions is over. A terrible shame but on the flip side they don't look like becoming irrelevant second-tier mediocrities any time soon, so it's swings and roundabouts.' While some things do change, it's reassuring to know that your curse of the commentator will always come true eventually' – Ian James. If you do have any, please send letters to Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day is … John Jones. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. It's a Football Weekly end-of-season mailbag special. Here's David Squires on … the PSG fairytale. With the climate crisis causing our fine planet to heat up at an alarming rate, next year's World Cup³ in Mexico, USA USA USA and Canada, could be one of the toastiest in history. So, naturally, Thomas Tuchel wants his England players to earn it in the pursuit of global success. 'Suffering is one of the headlines for this World Cup,' he growled, while putting up tents in Girona for his players to train in. Yep, like a giant moth in a tracksuit, the England boss appears fascinated by flamin' hot heat. 'It is important to see matches now in [the USA USA USA], and in Miami at three in the afternoon,' he added. 'I will see that. How it looks, and we need to understand how to cool the players down, to drink. What our options are.' Sixteen stadiums will be used at World Cup³ with predictions of extreme temperatures. Water, please! Caoimhín Kelleher has joined Brentford from Liverpool, with Mark Flekken taking his gloves to Bayer Leverkusen to make way for the Republic of Ireland keeper. Manchester United are hoping to bring Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo and his epic beard to Old Trafford after missing out on Liam Delap. Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes, whose five o'clock shadow needs a bit of work, has turned his nose up at a big-money deal to play in Saudi Arabia. In a stunning bit of business, Chelsea will pay a £5m penalty to send Jadon Sancho back to United when his loan ends. Lucy Bronze believes Arsenal's Women's Big Cup success against Barcelona can help England to win more shiny pots on the international stage. 'It exposes you to that feeling of playing in big finals, and to what it takes to win,' trilled the defender. 'When I first went to Lyon, that was what I wanted to do: test myself against the best.' West Brom have appointed Ryan Mason, still only 33, as their new boss. 'I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition,' he boinged. ' I look forward to a positive future together.' In more red-hot managerial news, Rangers are reportedly close to installing chilled vibesman Russell Martin in the Ibrox dugout. And plane issues mean Scotland arrived with barely any time to prepare for their Women's Nations League match against the Netherlands in Tilburg. The Scottish FA said it made 'all efforts' to find a replacement flight but the charter company came up blank. In the latest edition of our sister email, Blackburn defender Rachel Dugdale takes us inside the plight of her club, forced to withdraw from WSL 2 last month. Who's in the running for the Ballon d'Or Ballon d'Or Ballon d'Or this year? Will Unwin sifts through the contenders, from Lamine Yamal to Ousmane Dembélé. Rashford and Højlund to Inter? Jobe Bellingham to Dortmund? Wednesday's Mill churns out the latest. And Michael Butler sticks the boot into post-season tours such as Manchester United's recent Asian jaunt, an environmentally ruinous strain on player wellbeing. We're lingering a bit on Milan Malpensa airport, admittedly, but here's a young Inter fan in August 2002, waiting to see Ronaldo – fresh from winning the World Cup with Brazil – return from international duty and a 1-0 defeat against Paraguay. Sadly for them, the player was keeping a low profile, slipping off the plane away from the public's gaze, amid controversy about his future, before moving to Real Madrid the following month.
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
EFL told to 'restore credibility' by furious club denied promotion
York City's co-owner has written to the EFL and National League to complain about current format after finishing second only to lose out in play-offs to team that finished 23 points behind YORK CITY have lodged a furious complaint with the EFL and National League over the "glaring imbalance" of the promotion system. The Minstermen missed out on a League return for the first time since 2016 after finishing second to winners Barnet before losing in the play-offs to Oldham, who were 23 points and three places behind in the table. York were also 13 points clear of third-placed Forest Green only to lose 3-0 in a one-off game against the fifth-placed Latics. Oldham then went on to beat Southend United in Sunday's final. Earlier this season National League clubs began the 3UP campaign to call for three clubs to win promotion every season. And York co-owner Julie-Anne Uggla has now asked the governing bodies to 'reward merit and restore credibility to the system' by introducing immediate reform. 'Such a glaring imbalance not only undermines sporting merit but erodes the very foundations of fair competition,' Uggla wrote in a letter to both leagues. 'I urge both governing bodies to urgently consider transitional reform, whether via immediate review, temporary relief measures, or an accelerated implementation of the '3UP' model. 'At the very least, this season's outcome should provoke an honest re-evaluation of what fairness in football truly means. "For clubs, fans, and the integrity of the English football pyramid, it is time to reward merit and restore credibility to the system." The 3UP proposal has previously been discussed by the EFL board but any changes to promotion and relegation will require the backing of a majority of its 72 clubs in a vote. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
National League clubs launch new campaign for extra promotion place
The National League clubs are pushing for a third promotion place to the English Football League, as part of a new campaign called '3UP'. The move has been supported by all 72 clubs across the level's three divisions, with a letter now sent to the EFL requesting a vote on the issue. The National League is specifically pointing out that it is the only 'step' in the top tiers of English football that doesn't have at least three promotion places. While there is some sympathy for that position within the EFL, it is offset by extreme concern among a lot of clubs over cost control issues at that stage of non-league. There is a feeling that such a change without complementary financial reform could have a further destabilising effect on the pyramid, and that at a point when discussions are ongoing over both the independent football regulator and a post-Covid financial package from the Premier League. The National League also pointed to the regulator in their own Extraordinary General Meeting on Thursday 30 January, where senior representatives from across the three divisions of National League, National League North and National League South unanimously agreed to collectively approach the EFL. The request is for the body to consider scheduling a vote on '3UP' at their own Annual General Meeting in June. The feeling among the 72 National League clubs is that 'the timing is right' due to coming introduction of the Independent Football Regulator. National League Chair Jack Pearce MBE said: 'This summer, the Independent Football Regulator is scheduled to be introduced. Their overall stated objectives include providing financial sustainability, economic resilience and preserving the heritage of the sport. 'In terms of heritage, National League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country. The majority of these clubs are over a century old and part of the fabric of their communities. An extra promotion place for these clubs into the EFL would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters - plus clubs in the leagues below. We simply can't wait any longer for parity within the game. 'As well as increased financial stability, 3UP would mean a fluid football pyramid where teams can win promotion from the bottom to the top fairly. It will give more opportunity to clubs relegated from EFL League 2 to 'bounce back'. We have consulted with the leagues below ours in Step 3 who are also supportive of this change - as their clubs could benefit from this change in the long term. 'We have been consistently told that the EFL support our 3UP position in principle but are reluctant to progress any changes whilst they are consulting with the IFR and Premier League regards their own redistribution of football income. 'However, we believe the 3UP campaign goal is vital to the overall health of the game and the government's objectives - therefore it should be as high on the agenda as any other matter this year. Otherwise, the National League's needs are being overlooked during the IFR process, not least because the specific issues between the EFL and PL could potentially take years to reach a conclusion. 'Whilst we recognise and respect the EFL's verbal support for the National League on three promotions, our clubs have now made it abundantly clear that they see no reason for a further delay on the official process. Rick Parry, the EFL Chair, has often said that 'the EFL should look down as well as up' so we'd now like that to actually happen.' An EFL Spokesperson said: 'Recognising the strength of the pyramid, the League has been consistent in its commitment to looking both upwards and down when considering future changes. As such, we remain willing to consider changes to the current position on promotion and relegation in the EFL, but these discussions must be part of a broader package of reforms which benefit all levels of the game.'
The Independent
05-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
National League launches new campaign for three promotion places to EFL
The National League are pushing for a third promotion place to the English Football League, as part of a new campaign called '3UP'. The move has been supported by all 72 clubs across the level's three divisions, with a letter now sent to the EFL requesting a vote on the issue. The National League is specifically pointing out that it is the only 'step' in the top tiers of English football that doesn't have at least three promotion places. While there is some sympathy for that position within the EFL, it is offset by extreme concern among a lot of clubs over cost control issues at that stage of non-league. There is a feeling that such a change without complementary financial reform could have a further destabilising effect on the pyramid, and that at a point when discussions are ongoing over both the independent football regulator and a post-Covid financial package from the Premier League. The National League also pointed to the regulator in their own Extraordinary General Meeting on Thursday 30 January, where senior representatives from across the three divisions of National League, National League North and National League South unanimously agreed to collectively approach the EFL. The request is for the body to consider scheduling a vote on '3UP' at their own Annual General Meeting in June. The feeling among the 72 National League clubs is that 'the timing is right' due to coming introduction of the Independent Football Regulator. National League Chair Jack Pearce MBE said: 'This summer, the Independent Football Regulator is scheduled to be introduced. Their overall stated objectives include providing financial sustainability, economic resilience and preserving the heritage of the sport. 'In terms of heritage, National League clubs are at the heart of towns and cities across the whole country. The majority of these clubs are over a century old and part of the fabric of their communities. An extra promotion place for these clubs into the EFL would create an invaluable aspiration for all these clubs and supporters - plus clubs in the leagues below. We simply can't wait any longer for parity within the game. 'As well as increased financial stability, 3UP would mean a fluid football pyramid where teams can win promotion from the bottom to the top fairly. It will give more opportunity to clubs relegated from EFL League 2 to 'bounce back'. We have consulted with the leagues below ours in Step 3 who are also supportive of this change - as their clubs could benefit from this change in the long term. 'We have been consistently told that the EFL support our 3UP position in principle but are reluctant to progress any changes whilst they are consulting with the IFR and Premier League regards their own redistribution of football income. 'However, we believe the 3UP campaign goal is vital to the overall health of the game and the government's objectives - therefore it should be as high on the agenda as any other matter this year. Otherwise, the National League's needs are being overlooked during the IFR process, not least because the specific issues between the EFL and PL could potentially take years to reach a conclusion. 'Whilst we recognise and respect the EFL's verbal support for the National League on three promotions, our clubs have now made it abundantly clear that they see no reason for a further delay on the official process. Rick Parry, the EFL Chair, has often said that 'the EFL should look down as well as up' so we'd now like that to actually happen.' An EFL Spokesperson said: 'Recognising the strength of the pyramid, the League has been consistent in its commitment to looking both upwards and down when considering future changes. As such, we remain willing to consider changes to the current position on promotion and relegation in the EFL, but these discussions must be part of a broader package of reforms which benefit all levels of the game.'
