Play offs!

[RaidenYeltz]

Maybe a rule can be introduced;

1st goes up.

Should 2nd finish 20 points above 3rd, they go up automatically.

If they're less than 20 points in front. Play offs.

Maybe 20 points is too much but you get the point!

[juanillo]

I have a distant recollection of in the early days of playoffs there were team(s) from the higher level in the mix too. For example two teams being promoted/relegated automatically and then one team from the higher level and three from the lower level being involved in a playoff for the last place in the higher league.

More complicated, admittedly, and might not be welcomed by the higher level team who thought they were safe, but certainly a more intresting spectacle. Particululary for the neutral.

Is my memory playing tricks on me? What do other think of this sort of arrangement?

Yes, a good system and used in Scotland for promotion and relegation between the lower divisions.
This year they have instigated a variation for promotion to the SPL. Championship title-winners go up automatically then there is a series of play offs:

• Championship 3 v Championship 4 (over 2 legs)
  Championship 2 v Ch 3 / Ch 4 winner (2 legs)
  SPL 11th v Ch 2 / Ch3 / Ch4 winner (2 legs)

Winner of the third play-off takes the place in Premiership.

OK, it's a protracted process but it means the lowest placed team would have earned it; it wouldn't work well at non-league in view of the time taken to play the matches, but I don't understand why they don't have two legs in play-off matches at Step 3 and 4 of non-league, when they do at Conference level (Step 1 and 2)

[CRH Yeltz]

Germans use a system as well in their leagues which is 2 up/2 down and then 3rd in the league below plays third bottom from the league above in a playoff, higher team has advantage (2nd leg at home).

Using the Bundesliga/2 Bundesliga as it is today.

16 - Hamburg - Promotion/Relegation Playoff - 2nd Leg at Home
17 - Nurnburg - Relegated
18 - Braunschweig - Relegated

1 - Koln - Promoted
2 - Paderborn - Promoted
3 - Furth - Promotion/Relegation Playoff - 1st Leg at Home

[gemma]

If only two go up then I would go for something like -

4th v 5th

Semi Final - 3rd v winner of 4v5

Final - 2nd v semi final winner

So this season first play-off would have been Belper v Mickleover. The winners of that would have been away to Leek in the semi-final, with the semi-final winners away at Coalville in the final.

That way the highest placed team is rewarded with a clear advantage of being at home and having less play-off games to play.

[JohnC]

you get the point!

Leek had three points which did not help them

[RaidenYeltz]

you get the point!

Leek had three points which did not help them

When did that happen!

[juanillo]

HT in final Better 0 Mickleover 0

[JohnC]

F/T Belper won 1 nil crowd 1021.

Look forward to meeting them again next season.

[juanillo]

Well done to Belper.

Assuming we stay north we'll be playing Ramsbottom who won their play off and Ashton who lost Prem play off to Fylde on pens.

[gingeryeltz]

Yes well done to Belper.
It will be nice to go back there next season and call into the George and Dragon again - a great pub!
Ramsbottom is also really nice place - I have stayed up there a few times.
Next season will be exciting - I can't wait.