Unfair, unjust and long overdue: Our clubs give their take on 3UP

They know their fans are in favour. But what do our clubs think about the National League 3UP campaign?

We're now just over a week away from our 3UP Day of Action on November 15. We asked our clubs to tell us why they feel supporting the 3UP campaign is so important. 

Here's what they told us...

 

Julie-Anne Uggla – Co-Owner, York City (Enterprise National League)
“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2025–26 only deepens the injustice for clubs like York City, who have already paid the price for a system built on outdated assumptions.

“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.”

Darryl Eales – Chairman, Solihull Moors (Enterprise National League)
“3UP is welcome, it’s fifteen years overdue.  Moors would’ve been promoted on this basis during this period.  We need to put more pressure on EFL clubs.  Over the six years I’ve been in charge, I’ve met National League club owners who have subsequently been promoted.  They always say they will support three up and three down when in the EFL.” 

Chris Ammonds – Chairman, Hereford (Enterprise National League North)
“It’s over twenty years since a second promotional place was awarded and it’s the general feeling from all (National League) clubs that the time is now right for an extra promotional place.  It brings us into line with the EFL and creates a fairer playing field. The 3UP campaign is about putting football first and there is unanimous agreement amongst clubs that it’s the right thing to do.”

Justin Rees – Chairman, Southend United (Enterprise National League)
“The introduction of three promotion places from the fifth tier is long overdue. The English football pyramid is rightly the envy of other countries for its meritocracy, competitiveness, and the unique pathway it offers from grassroots to the professional game. At present, the system is skewed against the spirit of fair competition, holding back clubs who have earned the chance to rise. Should a vote take place, it is difficult to see any objective reason why it would not pass. We are therefore proud to fully support the National League’s 3UP campaign, which we firmly believe will be for the good of the game.”

Trevor Bull – Chairman, Scarborough Athletic (Enterprise National League North)

"We here at Scarborough Athletic fully support the 3UP campaign because we believe it to be the right and proper course of action. It also enables more clubs to fulfil their dream of rising up the pyramid and will build even more excitement at the end of the season."

Billy Quarmby - Chairman, Radcliffe (Enterprise National League North)

"At Radcliffe, we’re proud to stand behind the 3UP Campaign. It’s about more than just football - it’s about ambition, fairness, and giving clubs at every level the chance to grow. Together, we can lift the National League and the communities it represents."

Matt Ide – Development Director, Horsham Football Club (Enterprise National League South)

"As a newly promoted NLS club, we fully support the 3UP campaign. Restoring parity with the rest of the pyramid makes the route to the EFL fairer and encourages responsible investment, strengthening long-term sustainability and raising standards across the game."

Spokesperson for Farnborough FC (Enterprise National League South)

"Farnborough Football Club strongly supports the 3UP campaign as it seeks to align the National League with the rest of the English football pyramid. The current system creates an unfair disadvantage for clubs in the lower tiers. The fact that we start each season knowing that only two teams can get promoted but four can get relegated seems grossly unjust and not in the spirit of fair play. In fact, it's arguably bringing the game into disrepute."

Kieron Sheil - CFU Chair, Chester (Enterprise National League North)

"It’s about time this change happened, and now is the right time. The National Leagues are packed with talented, ambitious clubs that deserve every chance to move up the Football Pyramid. By increasing promotion places to three, we’d open the door for more success stories, solidify the football pyramid, and give fans even more to cheer about. It’s a move that benefits both football as a whole and more importantly its supporters."

Ali Alhamad - Chairman, Salisbury (Enterprise National League South)

"At Salisbury FC, we strongly support the 3UP campaign. Non-league football is about opportunity, growth, and giving communities a club they can be proud of. Moving three teams up will not only create more chances for players and clubs like ours but will also strengthen the entire football pyramid. We stand with the National League and the 71 other clubs in calling for this change."

Bernard McWilliams – Chairman, Gateshead (Enterprise National League)

:Three promotion spots would afford clubs in non-league’s top tier a fairer chance at attaining a place in the Football League through sporting merit, as well as enhancing the standard and competitiveness of the Football League, as evidenced by the performance of clubs promoted from the National League over the years."

Shahid Azeem – Chairman, Aldershot Town (Enterprise National League)

"A promotion system with three teams moving up is not just fair, it’s essential for the continued growth and competitiveness of non-league football. Over the decades, it’s been proven how well all the promoted teams from the Enterprise National League have done and have gone from strength to strength once promoted. This is about: rewarding excellence, strengthening the football pyramid and backing the future of the game at every level. We stand with the clubs, the fans, and the football community calling for change. It’s time to give ambition the space it deserves."

Jon Adams – CEO, Maidenhead United (Enterprise National League South)

"We’re proud to stand alongside 71 clubs of the National League system in supporting the 3UP campaign. Promotion should be based on sporting merit, and 3UP is a fair and logical step that reflects the quality and professionalism across our divisions. The National League has never been stronger — on and off the pitch — and increasing promotion places will help ensure that ambition and achievement are properly rewarded. Clubs like ours aspire to grow sustainably, and the 3UP campaign is about creating a pathway which offers equivalent opportunity to National League clubs progress up the football pyramid."

Barry Hunter – Chairman, Worthing (Enterprise National League South)

"We are fully behind 3UP as it will bring the National League into line with other professional leagues in the football pyramid. It will contribute to resolving the obvious bottleneck we are experiencing in the National League. It is a fairer system that will enable greater mobility up the pyramid.

"Fans of clubs across all leagues overwhelmingly support it. It's been 23 years since the league was given a second promotion spot - so a third position is long overdue."