When Wrexham and Notts County were embroiled in their record-breaking battle for the National League title in 2022-23, a light was shone on the inequity of a structure that grants only two promotion places to the National League, but four to League Two.
And there are still faint hopes, perhaps, that the forthcoming independent regulator can force the hand of the EFL to right this wrong, but there’s no shying away from the fact that, in the fight for “three-up, three-down”, momentum has ground to a standstill.
And yet it has become a familiar sight at this time of year to witness the National League’s promoted clubs attacking League Two with the same sense of adventure that earned them a place in the Football League, despite the margins for error being gossamer-thin and narrower than pretty much any other league on the planet.
Chesterfield and Bromley’s starts to this season have been no different, with Paul Cook’s buccaneering Spireites side sweeping aside Crewe, last season’s League Two play-off finalists, with a 5-0 win at Gresty Road last weekend, and Bromley, thanks to the sharp-shooting Michael Cheek, winning the opening two games of their first-ever EFL campaign.
That the teams joining League Two are good enough has never been in doubt. In the past ten seasons, the median finish for the National League champions and play-off winners has been 11th and 14th and, as I’m sure you are aware, no promoted team has been immediately relegated since the system of re-election came to an end in 1987.
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Esta historia es de la edición August 25, 2024 de The Non-League Football Paper.
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Esta historia es de la edición August 25, 2024 de The Non-League Football Paper.
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BRENNAN STINGS 'MOANY' BEES!
FRUSTRATED Dean Brennan has lashed out at the \"miserable, moany\" Barnet boo boys and urged them to get behind the team in their bid for promotion.
ACE REED WAITED TO MAKE A MARK
WHEN Mark Reed sensed his manager turn around to look his way on Tuesday night, he knew what was coming next.
CHURCH HAILS TEENAGE KICKS
DEBUTANT Dan Shaw got his teenage kicks with the rocket that fired Alvechurch to the top of the table.
LEES SO PROUD OF HIS SHAKERS
SUPER Shakers made it 14 games unbeaten this season after easing to victory against struggling NPL outfit Blyth Spartans.
SEVEN-UP A STONES
RONAN Silva turned in a four-star display as Salisbury highlighted the three-division difference in quality against their Wessex Premier opponents.
HORGAN'S RELIEF AT TOWN SIX APPEAL
CHIPPENHAM Town heeded manager Gary Horgan's prematch warning about a potential shock and despatched their Jewson Western League hosts.
BRAD'S LEVELLER RESCUES THE IRON
IN A terrific FA Cup second qualifying round tie, Step 4 Newcastle Town held National League North leaders Scunthorpe at Buckmaster Avenue.
WHING IS SURE IT'S MOOR OF THE SAME
A BRACE from Conor Wilkinson brought Solihull Moors back-to-back National League victories.
MOR'S U'S ARE BACK ON TRACK
SUTTON United got back to winning ways with a wel come victory at Southend United.
DUO GET THEIR JUST REWARDS
ENGLAND legend Stuart Pearce has made surprise appearances at two Trident League clubs to hail a pair of award-winning volunteers who earned national recognition for their inspirational exploits.