National League drive 3UP campaign forward with Day of Action

Imagine how you would feel if your team had ended the season with 96 points, but missed out on promotion to a club that finished three places and 23 points behind.

That’s exactly what happened to York City last season as a second-place finish in the National League saw them miss out on automatic promotion to League Two and eventually lose the play-off final to Oldham Athletic.

The National League currently has just one automatic promotion spot with the team that finishes top rising to the Football League and those ending the campaign second to seventh battling it out in the play-offs.

The league and its clubs have launched the 3UP campaign in hopes of adding a third promotion place, and took action at the weekend as all their fixtures kicked of three minutes late at 15:03.

All clubs in the league, including Hampshire sides Aldershot Town and Eastleigh, and the 48 clubs across the National League North and South, including A.F.C Totton and Farnborough, have backed the initiative.

It has also received support from 93% of fans across all divisions, 83% of Football League supports, football organisations, broadcasters, MPs and Prime Minister Kier Starmer.

Mark Whittle, a consultant for the campaign, said: “There’s been a month build-up to this day and during that, we have held political meetings, the Prime Minister has been asked about the campaign in PMQs and commended it.”

While not directly impacted by the campaign, Farnborough have been avid supporters, believing it is crucial for the division and the club itself.

Boro chairman Simon Gardener said: “I think it’s important, because like many a team in our league, we aspire to always take the club further.

“Now if there’s another incentive for us to go that step further and get into the top league (National League), it would benefit the club by loads of different avenues.”