All 72 National League clubs have written to the EFL Board demanding the introduction of three promotion and relegation spots between the two leagues from next season.
Automatic promotion did not exist prior until 1987 with the bottom four EFL clubs instead having to survive a vote of member clubs to keep their place. A second promotion place was introduced in 2003 via the play-off system.
Although positive talks around extending that to three did take place between the National League and EFL, that has stalled. The Football League say they will deal with the matter once the soon-to-be-installed Independent Regulator has resolved the massive funding disagreement between the EFL and the Premier League.
Speaking to BBC Sport, National League general manager Mark Ives feels that means it could be up to four years before an additional promotion place gets discussed – and that is not good enough.
“The regulator will be set up in law this year, I am fairly certain of that,” Ives said.
“But by the time it is set up, started, staff trained and all the elements of the Bill are in place and then, potentially, the dispute between the Premier League and EFL has been aired with a backstop, that could be three years.
“Then we have the discussion on the three-up campaign, which will delay it by another year. That could be four seasons.
“We have a pyramid that is the envy of countries worldwide because you can go from the very bottom to the top, purely on sporting merit. But there is a blockage in the jump between National League and EFL. Two-up, two-down is simply unfair.
“I would think the vast majority of fans, looking at it objectively, would see the unfairness. We want a fairer system.”
Relations between the EFL and National League became strained when Ives appeared on behalf of his organisation at a reception the Premier League held in the Houses of Parliament in April.
National League clubs are concerned the cost of legal bills if the regulator were to get involved in costly disputes with clubs may filter down to their level.
The EFL feel the National League’s stance undermined their demands for an increased portion of Premier League’s finances.
“It is an interesting debate,” added Ives. “The simple fact we had some issues around the regulator where we differed from the EFL doesn’t mean we are aligned with the Premier League. That is a misnomer, it is absolutely not true.”
There are 15 former EFL clubs in the National League. Over the past decade, eight out of the 19 teams relegated from League Two have been promoted.
Ives cannot see a reason why EFL clubs would reject the three-up, three-down concept.
“I am often asked why would clubs in League One and League Two vote for it,” said Ives. “I prefer to look at it another way. If you slip through that very narrow trap door and have to try and climb out of it, you want to give yourself the best chance you can to progress.”
Chesterfield were National League champions last season and are currently 10th in League Two while Bromley beat Solihull Moors in the play-off final and are 16th in the standings.
The two relegated clubs, Forest Green Rovers and Sutton United are second and 10th in the fifth tier.
In a statement, the EFL said: “Recognising the strength of the pyramid, the league has been consistent in its commitment to looking both upwards and down when considering future changes.
“As such, we remain willing to consider changes to the current position on promotion and relegation in the EFL, but these discussions must be part of a broader package of reforms which benefit all levels of the game.”
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