Rochdale's dramatic Wembley victory has reignited calls for a major change to English football's promotion system, with National League chiefs pushing harder than ever for three promotion spots to the EFL.
In a stunning comeback that will be remembered for years, Rochdale overturned a two-goal deficit with just 12 minutes left in regulation time before defeating Boreham Wood on penalties in Sunday's promotion final. The triumph was particularly sweet for a team that had amassed an incredible 106 points during their league campaign, only to find themselves on the brink of missing out entirely.
The match was the latest chapter in what has been an unforgettable season across the top five leagues. Just two weeks earlier, fans were treated to one of the most thrilling games of the year when both Rochdale and York scored in stoppage time during a league title decider.
National League chief executive Phil Alexander believes these dramatic moments should serve as a wake-up call for the English Football League. "We think three up could be done, we think three up should be done," Alexander stated. "The EFL could take the higher ground and make that happen."
The argument for three promotion places goes beyond just thrilling finishes. The top tier of the National League is now virtually fully professional, and the gap in quality to League Two has become minimal. While recently promoted teams like Barrow and Harrogate have faced relegation back to the National League this season, Bromley—promoted just two years ago—has captured the League Two title.
Adding to the competitive narrative, Notts County and Chesterfield, who faced off in the 2023 National League promotion final, are now set to battle each other in League Two next season.
EFL chief executive Trevor Birch and chief operating officer Nick Craig were both in attendance at Wembley, witnessing firsthand the quality and drama on display. Outgoing National League chairman Jack Pearce praised the pair but emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the 72 EFL clubs themselves.
The National League believes there is broad support for implementing three-up, three-down and had hoped for a vote at the March meeting of all EFL clubs. Instead, it was only listed as a discussion topic, meaning the change cannot be formally adopted for another year. For now, the debate continues, but Sunday's Wembley heroics have certainly added fuel to the fire.