The League Paper

Chris Dunlavy: It’s time for the EFL to act on 3UP now

If there is any justice at all in the world, all that attention will shine a harsh spotlight on the cruelty and injustice of the EFL’s refusal to grant the National League a third promotion place.

by
Chris Dunlavy
3 May 2026

It was eight minutes of mayhem witnessed around the world. From Brazil to Bahrain, Denmark to Dubai, there’s barely a football fan on the planet who hasn’t seen the chaotic finale of last weekend’s National League decider.

By now, it barely needs explaining. Rochdale, who needed victory to snatch the title and secure promotion, scored in the 95th-minute through Mani Dieseruvwe.
Delirious home fans flooded the pitch, only to have their hearts broken when - after a six-minute delay - Josh Stones equalised with ten seconds of stoppage time to play, giving York the point they needed to seal a p...

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