Football League to consider promotion revamp

Football clubs in England are to discuss extending the promotion playoffs from four teams to six at their annual meeting next…

Football clubs in England are to discuss extending the promotion playoffs from four teams to six at their annual meeting next month. If approved, the new format could be introduced next season.

The 72 clubs of the first, second and third divisions will examine the plan which is designed to make the latter stages of the season more exciting.

Under the current system, the top two first and second division sides are automatically promoted, while the next four play off to decide the third team to move up.

Under the new plan, teams finishing fifth and eighth would play those in sixth and seventh place in quarter-finals for the right to face the third and fourth-placed sides in the semi-finals.

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The higher-placed clubs would be at home in the one-off games - replacing the current two-legged system.

In the third division, where the top three go up and the next four contest the fourth promotion place, the proposals suggest the playoffs include the eighth and ninth-placed clubs.