National League chief Phil Alexander explains ‘3UP’ push as FA Cup spotlight shines on Macclesfield v Crystal Palace

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The National League’s push for ‘3UP’ - a third promotion place into the EFL - is gaining momentum, says chief executive Phil Alexander. Speaking ahead of Macclesfield FC’s FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - on Saturday, Alexander argues the current two-up system creates a "log jam", and no longer reflects the league’s professionalism or quality.

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The National League’s long-running campaign for ‘3UP’ - the introduction of a third promotion place into the English Football League - is gathering real momentum, according to chief executive Phil Alexander, with the FA Cup once again providing the perfect stage to underline why change is overdue.

Currently, only two clubs are promoted from the National League each season - only the champions going up automatically, with the second spot decided by the play-offs - compared to three at every other level of the English football pyramid.

The proposed '3UP' system would bring the fifth tier into line with the rest of the structure and ease what Alexander describes as a long-standing "log jam" between non-league and the Football League.

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Speaking ahead of Macclesfield FC’s FA Cup third-round clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - Alexander believes the growing visibility of non-league football is strengthening the case for reform.

"I'm very confident the momentum's building," Alexander told TNT Sports.

"Since we launched the campaign at the beginning of last year, the amount of media interest has shown just how many people agree with what we’re trying to achieve."

While three teams are promoted at every other level of the English pyramid, only two progress from the National League, a situation Alexander believes is increasingly impossible to justify.

"The pyramid in this country is the envy of the world," he said. "It’s hugely successful. But this lack of 3UP is harming the ambition of owners and clubs below to reach the Football League."

Alexander argues that the timing for reform is now right, pointing to the transformation of the division over the past decade.

"If you look at the National League over the last 10 years, step one is pretty much fully professional now, and around half of step two is professional as well," he said.

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Alexander believes the argument is based on fairness, not fundamental change.

"We’re only asking for equality up and down the pyramid," he explained. "From the Premier League downwards, there are three promotion places as a minimum."

Alexander says there is now little opposition to '3UP', with the main obstacle being process rather than principle.

"When I talk to anybody, whether it's with the National League or indeed to friends and colleagues in the EFL or indeed the Premier League, there is very little resistance," he said.

"Most understand that it's fair and just. To make a change, it really is the gift of the EFL clubs. They need to vote on it. The next thing to do is to get the issue on the agenda at an EFL meeting for clubs to vote in favour.

"We’ve waited 23 years. It's right that there’s a return on the investment owners are making at National League level, and an extra promotion place would really amplify ambition."

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That ambition has once again been on display in this season’s FA Cup, with National League clubs reaching the third round - including representatives from step one, the National League North and the National League South.

"It says everything about the quality of the league," Alexander said.

"The FA Cup is the oldest and most watched club competition in the world, and this game will be shown all around the world."

Alexander believes such performances are already helping shift perceptions, even if he feels respect for the league is growing regardless.

"The teams regularly compete in the FA Cup against teams in the higher levels," he said. "We hope at least one, if not all of the three, go further this season."

Financially, the competition remains vital for non-league clubs, particularly amid rising costs.

"I would suspect that most of them haven't actually budgeted to get this far, so it'll be non-budgeted income," he said.

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"There's TV revenues, prize money and gate and advertising revenues to be had. Sometimes this can keep clubs going for months, if not years, following the event."

As Macclesfield prepare to host the FA Cup holders under the lights, Alexander believes nights like these capture everything special about the competition - and the league.

"The third round of the FA Cup is a magic moment and everyone looks forward to it every year," he said. "It always brings the David-Goliath scenario and it’s no different this season.

"Macclesfield, a National League North side, playing against the holders at home in front of their own fans, live on TNT Sports, it's brilliant."

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