Revealed: How the EFL's big League Two decision will affect the National League promotion race

The National League season has already ended

According to reports in the Athletic, the EFL are set to call time on League One and League Two, as they believe it is now impossible to complete the campaigns before their imposed deadline of July 31.

Clubs are reportedly set to vote on how promotion and relegation will be decided within the next week, with a weighted points-per-game model the favoured method.

And this will naturally have a knock-on effect for clubs in the National League, particularly those in promotion contention.

Barrow currently top the table, while the likes of Yeovil Town and Notts County were also gunning for a return to League Two.

But the BBC claim that the most likely outcome to this EFL decision is that only one team will be promoted from the National League – current leaders Barrow.

In turn, League Two basement side Stevenage are likely to be spared relegation, with Barrow’s promotion returning the EFL to its full compliment of 72 clubs after the sad demise of Bury last summer.

This decision would likely cause uproar among the chasing pack, who may have felt confident of catching the Holker Street side had the campaign continued.

It would also spell an end to any lingering hopes of a play-off campaign being completed, with National League clubs asked to vote on whether they would like to see the play-offs take place.

65 of the 68 clubs in the three divisions run by the National League returned a vote on the matter, but if only one promotion space were made available then it would render the discussion moot.

Speaking to the Mail, Dave Challinor offered his verdict on the predicament.

“With the way things are, the finances and logistics are going to dictate everything and I don’t see how League One, League Two or the National League would be able to cope with resuming the season,” he said.

“Whether that’s with regular matches or play-offs, it’s going to be very difficult.

“In terms of what I think will happen, I’m of the belief that the season should be decided on sporting merit.”