One year of 3UP: How far we’ve come

On 5 February 2025, a year ago to the day, we stopped quietly accepting a long-standing imbalance in the structure of English football – and made the case that it could no longer be ignored.

The 3UP campaign, calling for three promotion places from the National League to the EFL, was launched. What began as a clear and principled case for reform has since grown into a defining focus for the League, our clubs, and our supporters – and into a wider statement of the National League’s status, strength, and contribution to the English football pyramid.

Over the past 12 months, 3UP has moved from concept to consensus. It has been debated across football, backed unanimously by our clubs, embraced by supporters, recognised by Government, and placed firmly on the agenda. Our argument has matured, broadened, and gained authority.

That growing recognition has been reflected in the work of the Independent Football Regulator, which has fully embraced the National League within its scope, with financial sustainability and competitive balance at the heart of its considerations.

From the outset, 3UP has been about alignment – ensuring that the structure of the game reflects the modern reality of the National League and the competitive demands placed upon its clubs.

The launch of 3UP

At the start of 2025, the rationale for a third promotion place was already well established. The National League operates nationally, sits directly below League Two, and yet remains the only step on the ladder restricted to two promotion places.

In February, the campaign was formally launched under the name ‘3UP’, with the unanimous backing of all 72 member clubs. That unity mattered. It ensured the campaign was never framed as sectional or self-interested, but as a collective call rooted in sporting merit and competitive integrity.

A contemporary case for change

If a modern case study was needed to illustrate why 3UP matters, the end of the 2024-25 season provided one naturally.

York City finished six points off the summit and 28 points clear of Southend United in the final play-off position… yet became the latest club to fall foul of a system in which National League runners-up fail to win promotion via the play-offs almost 70% of the time.

An open letter from the club supported the call for reform. It was not rooted in self-interest, but in a measured critique of a structure that consistently produces outcomes at odds with sporting logic.

Supporters in agreement

Consensus is a rare commodity in football – which is precisely why the response to 3UP has been so striking.

In June, the Football Supporters’ Association gave its official backing to the campaign following its AGM. A survey of almost 2,000 supporters revealed overwhelming agreement: 93% backed the call for change, including 83% of supporters of EFL clubs.

Supporters across the pyramid, from clubs chasing promotion to those fighting for stability, recognised that the existing structure constrains ambition and distorts competition.

Proof of the National League’s standing

The past year has also underlined, repeatedly, the strength and relevance of the National League within the wider game.

In the FA Cup, three National League clubs reached the third round, reinforcing the league’s competitive quality on a national stage. And at Step 2, Macclesfield’s historic victory over Crystal Palace provided another reminder of the depth, ambition and romance that exists throughout Non-League football.

These moments matter. They reinforce the central premise of 3UP: that the National League is not an outlier, but an integral and fully-fledged part of the professional game.

Parliament and political recognition

Over the past year, 3UP has moved beyond football and into Parliament – a significant milestone in the campaign’s development.

More than 50 MPs from across all major parties have now expressed support, reflecting a growing understanding that 3UP is about fairness, sustainability, and the long-term health of the football pyramid.

That momentum culminated last week in a major step forward: the first formal parliamentary debate on 3UP.

An Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons, led by Jonathan Brash MP for Hartlepool, placed the arguments for three promotion places directly on the parliamentary record. The case for 3UP is now formally recorded in Hansard and has been heard by Government and, crucially, by football authorities.

Responding on behalf of the Government, DCMS Minister Ian Murray MP acknowledged from the Despatch Box that “the Government recognise the strength of feeling on the 3UP campaign”. While reiterating that league structures remain a matter for the football authorities, the recognition itself marked a significant moment of national acknowledgement.

The debate also highlighted cross-party support, including from Paul Waugh MP, a passionate advocate for his local club Rochdale. The discussion attracted national media coverage, further underlining the growing prominence of the issue beyond the game itself.

High-profile backing

Support for 3UP has also come from influential figures across football.

Jeff Stelling became an ambassador for the campaign in November, while Neil Warnock – whose own promotion journey began with Scarborough in 1987 – publicly backed the case and called for common sense to prevail.

Former England manager Roy Hodgson, respected national journalists, and representatives from clubs across both the National League and the EFL have also gone on record in support.

The strength of 3UP lies in the fact that this support has been expressed independently, in many voices, over time. That authenticity has been central to the campaign’s durability.

The Day of Action

The Day of Action on Saturday 15 November provided another focal point.

The coordinated move to 3.03pm kick-offs created a simple but effective talking point, generated significant media coverage, and provided fresh opportunities to explain the case for reform. Clubs aligned their messaging in the build-up and on the day itself, helping to reinforce both the historic context and the evidence-based nature of the campaign.

The solidarity shown by the Northern Premier League, Southern League and Isthmian League – who also adjusted kick-off times – underlined that this is a matter of principle about the structure of the game as a whole.

Supporters taking action

Throughout the campaign, supporters have been encouraged to play an active role.

The 3UP petition on change.org has now attracted almost 16,000 signature… a figure that would fill all but one of the 72 National League grounds. Only Brunton Park exceeds that number.

Every signature represents more than agreement in principle; it reflects a willingness to act. That collective voice will continue to play an important role as the campaign progresses.

What’s next?

One year on from the launch of 3UP, the case has been made – repeatedly, consistently, and convincingly.

The priority now is resolution. The decision ultimately sits with the EFL, and with its board and member clubs. With key EFL meetings taking place this week, we await developments with optimism and clarity of purpose.

3UP is not a radical change. It is the correction of a structural anomaly – one that has existed for more than two decades and is increasingly out of step with the modern game.

As we enter the second year of the campaign, the focus remains on constructive engagement, sustained momentum, and turning consensus into action.

Thank you to everyone who has supported 3UP over the past 12 months. Let’s ensure that the progress made in 2025 leads to the change Non-League football has long deserved.