On Easter Monday, Lincoln City finally confirmed their promotion to the Championship following a 2-1 victory over Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
It’s an achievement that has garnered nationwide attention. After all, the Imps were playing in the National League 10 years ago.
Their rise has become a football fairytale. Yes, we’ve seen Wrexham climb the divisions at an unprecedented rate, although the backing of Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney certainly gave them a head start.
That’s not to take anything away from the Red Dragons’ achievement. Financial backing only gets you so far, the rest is down to good management and hard work, something that Phil Parkinson and the likes should be commended for.
Lincoln’s Phenomenal Rise
Lincoln have taken a different route though. Their title winning season of 2016/17 was coupled with a remarkable run to the FA Cup quarter final, where they were eventually beaten by Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. That gave them the funds to build an excellent training facility on the edge of the city.
Danny and Nicky Cowley were the main protagonists behind that and it was no surprise to see them follow up their success by clinching the League Two title in 2019. However, they would soon depart for Huddersfield Town, with Michael Appleton named as their successor.
Two years later, another promotion was in touching distance when the East Midlands-based outfit reached the League One play-off final. Despite that, there was a sense that victory here would have come too early, especially as their side was built around loan signings such as Brennan Johnson and Morgan Rogers. A 2-1 defeat against Blackpool at Wembley Stadium signalled the end of their challenge for second tier football.
Fast forward to January 2023 when, via Mark Kennedy, Michael Skubala was handed his first managerial role. This appointment raised a few eyebrows, although Lincoln had proven with the Cowleys that they were willing to take risks. It’s one that has paid off, with the former Leeds United coach defying the odds to clinch a place in next season’s Championship.
Where Does ‘The 3UP’ Campaign Fit Into This?
Lincoln are proof that the English pyramid remains the best in the world. But, what if their National League winning season was in the present day?
Okay, there is some serious whataboutery here. The Imps finished the 2016/17 campaign on 99 points, four ahead of second-placed Tranmere Rovers. Had they achieved that points tally this season, they would be heading for a third-placed finish.
Lincoln’s rise from the National League to the Championship over the past nine years has rightly been in the spotlight this week. Here’s a fun fact though. They won the National League in 2017 with 99 points. This season, that would have seen them finish third. It’s time for…
— The Football Lowdown (@FBLowdown) April 6, 2026
Yes, the title was clinched with two games remaining, meaning they rotated heavily in their final fixtures, eventually drawing both. However, the point still remains.
The 3UP campaign has garnered attention in recent years as the National League continues to fight for a third promotion place. There’s little doubt that the division is as strong as ever. The most famous example came during the 2022/23 season, which saw Wrexham clinch the title on 111 points. Notts County eventually joined them in League Two via the play-offs after finishing on a staggering 107 points.
The year after, Chesterfield finished top of the pile whilst runners-up Barnet were defeated in the play-offs. Bromley eventually moved into the EFL and the Ravens look on course for more success this season in the fourth tier.
The argument intensified last season when York City missed out on promotion. The Minstermen finished second on 96 points, six behind winners Barnet. However, a shock defeat against Oldham Athletic in the semi final sparked fierce debate, especially as they had finished the campaign three places and 23 points ahead of the Latics.
And therein lies the key argument. Oldham were the fifth best team in last season’s National League but went up after a stunning extra-time win over Southend United in the play-off final. They have more than held their own in League Two and currently sit ninth, three points off the play-off positions with five games remaining.
York look likely to finally achieve their promotion this time around. Having already surpassed the 100-point barrier, it would be a travesty if they fail again. However, second-placed Rochdale will feel the same.
The Greater Manchester-based side are on 99 points, and the pair will meet in a potentially blockbuster encounter on the final day of the season later this month. Despite that, one will have to enter the lottery of the play-offs, which look as strong as ever.
Third-placed Carlisle United are on course to breach 90 points, whilst the likes of Boreham Wood and Scunthorpe United have also enjoyed excellent seasons. In comparison, the bottom of League Two is as weak as ever, with five clubs still south of 40 points.
There’s an argument to say that any of the teams currently in the top seven of the National League would be competitive in the division above. It’s time to finally relent and hand England’s fifth tier that well-deserved third promotion spot.
