The Table…

[magpie_mania]

Yes, it's been 4 up 4 down between tiers 3 and 4 since 1958/59, the first season of a national tier 3 plus a new tier 4.

Why they voted for 4 up/down when all levels above continued with 2 up 2 down (until 1973) is a bit of a mystery. Seems a very drastic move to double the amount of teams going through the process in just one corner of the pyramid. We're always glad about it when we're trying to go up from tier 4l but it soon becomes a very unwelcome sight when you're trying to consolidate in tier 3.

Makes more sense to have 4 up 4 down between tiers 5 and 6 where you've got separate regional leagues feeding the one national league.

For the first 2 years of the play-offs I think it was possible to only have 3 promoted from the 4th tier as in the play-offs there were 3 teams from the 4th tier along with 1 team from the 3rd tier (last relegation place). If that team won the play-offs then only those automatically promoted went up, and only 3 went down. I don't think that happened though, although it was possible.

I think I am right, maybe UTM would confirm?

[upthemaggies]

For the first 2 years of the play-offs I think it was possible to only have 3 promoted from the 4th tier as in the play-offs there were 3 teams from the 4th tier along with 1 team from the 3rd tier (last relegation place). If that team won the play-offs then only those automatically promoted went up, and only 3 went down. I don't think that happened though, although it was possible.

I think I am right, maybe UTM would confirm?

Yes that's right, it was the same arrangement at all levels. Charlton finished in the relegation zone of the top flight in 1987 but saved themselves by beating Leeds United, I think they were the only club at any level who did that though.

Had Notts got the win they needed at York on the last day of 1986/87, we'd have been in the 3rd tier Play Offs and would have played 2nd tier Sunderland in the Semi-finals, who Gillingham ultimately beat to send them down.