Rochdale's Wembley win triggers more three-up calls

TL;DR

Rochdale has been promoted back to the English Football League after winning the National League promotion final against Boreham Wood at Wembley. The match ended in penalties after Rochdale came back from two goals down.

Key points

Rochdale promoted back to the English Football League
Won National League promotion final against Boreham Wood
Match ended in penalties after a comeback
Phil Alexander advocates for three-up, three-down system
Rochdale was relegated three years ago

Mentioned in this story

Phil Alexander

RochdaleBoreham WoodNational LeagueEnglish Football League

Rochdale have been promoted back to the English Football League three years after being relegated from League Two

Rochdale duo Ian Henderson (left) and Ethan Ebanks-Landell lift the National League promotion final trophy at Wembley [Getty Images]

Chief executive Phil Alexander has renewed the National League's call for the English Football League (EFL) to adopt a three-up, three-down promotion and relegation system between the two leagues.

Rochdale came back from two goals down 12 minutes from the end of normal time to beat Boreham Wood on penalties in the promotion final at Wembley on Sunday.

The win came two weeks after one of the most memorable games of the season across the top five leagues, when first Rochdale and then York scored in stoppage time in a league title decider.

For long spells at Wembley, it appeared Rochdale would miss out on promotion despite amassing an incredible 106 points in their league campaign.

Alexander feels that should focus minds within the EFL.

"We think three up could be done, we think three up should be done," he said. "The EFL could take the higher ground and make that happen."

EFL chief executive Trevor Birch and chief operating officer Nick Craig were both at Wembley.

Before the game outgoing National League chairman Jack Pearce praised the pair but added they were not in charge of adopting three-up, three-down - the clubs were.

The National League feel there is broad agreement for its implementation and had hoped it would be voted on at a meeting of all 72 EFL clubs in March.

That did not happen. Instead, it was listed as a discussion topic, meaning it could not be adopted for another year.

Q&A

What was the outcome of the Rochdale vs Boreham Wood match?

Rochdale won the match against Boreham Wood on penalties after coming back from two goals down.

Who is calling for a three-up, three-down promotion system in English football?

Phil Alexander, the chief executive of the National League, has renewed the call for the EFL to adopt a three-up, three-down promotion and relegation system.

When did Rochdale last get relegated from the English Football League?

Rochdale was relegated from the English Football League three years ago before their recent promotion.

What significant event happened in the league title decider involving Rochdale and York?

In a memorable league title decider, both Rochdale and York scored in stoppage time.