It's time for three up, three down.

Quoted from GYinScuntland

That's right, they were as tinpot as they came at the time.
I'd argue they aren't where they are on merit but rather the money thown at them which show's in my opinion that you can indeed polish a turd.

The amazing thing about the whole situation about Wigans'  promotion is that they finished 2nd in their league ( the Midland League I think ). Boston finished top but their application to join the league was refused  because their ground didn't meet current league regulations at the time! If Boston had had a better ground at the time then it's possible that Wigan would still be a " tinpot club " !

Just started a #threeupthreedown on twitter highlighting that only 1200 more at league one play off final than conference final..

Quoted from rancido

The amazing thing about the whole situation about Wigans'  promotion is that they finished 2nd in their league ( the Midland League I think ). Boston finished top but their application to join the league was refused  because their ground didn't meet current league regulations at the time! If Boston had had a better ground at the time then it's possible that Wigan would still be a " tinpot club " !

You're absolutely right. History is a funny thing, events happen and over time it's all forgotten. In an alternate reality Hull could be the Chelsea/Man City of today.

It's all about population though. All of the top teams are in places where lots of people live. Forest Green Rovers will never be the next Wigan because they are based in a Gloucestershire village. Boston would never have been the next Wigan because it's a small town in a rural area. MK Dons have done well because they in a large, growing metropolis - 38,000 have moved to MK in the last ten years.

Quoted from GrimRob

It's all about population though. All of the top teams are in places where lots of people live. Forest Green Rovers will never be the next Wigan because they are based in a Gloucestershire village. Boston would never have been the next Wigan because it's a small town in a rural area. MK Dons have done well because they in a large, growing metropolis - 38,000 have moved to MK in the last ten years.

MK Mongs are not a real club though, they are a parasite that took over their host and it seems they infected fans of other teams too  

Quoted from GrimRob

It's all about population though. All of the top teams are in places where lots of people live. Forest Green Rovers will never be the next Wigan because they are based in a Gloucestershire village. Boston would never have been the next Wigan because it's a small town in a rural area. MK Dons have done well because they in a large, growing metropolis - 38,000 have moved to MK in the last ten years.

It's not just about population though is it ? There are many conurbations with teams in the football league that are smaller than Grimsby or NE Lincs. Facilities, population and infrastructure will all provide a limiting factor as to how far any club can progress unless of course you have a billionaire who is prepared to pump any amount of money into that club just to satisfy his own ego. When we played at Championship level we revelled at playing and competing with " the big boys " of the Football League. It's quite likely that their supporters regarded us as " tinpot " with an outmoded ground and average gates of around 7,000. Teams should be promoted on merit regardless of whether they represent a large town or some small rural outpost. The majority of fans on this site are very scathing about the Premiersh*t and all it represents, especially their elitist approach. If you deny the right of any club to gain promotion through the leagues, based on performance, then all you are doing is promoting an elitist approach further down the Football League pyramid and that is detrimental to football in general.

We were the same as you lot when we were down there with this question. Now we'd never vote for it as a straight 3 relegation spots. There is though mileage in  the 3rd  bottom Lge 2 going into playoffs with 3rd, 4th and 5th in t'Conference as it gives the Lge 2 team a last chance to prove they are worthy of such a sought after and precious position.... that they are in fact better than such as Eastleigh, FGR etc.

Once you are out though (and believe me boys it's been too long now, you are better than that) you'll not vote for 3 up 3 down if the vote comes in the next 4-5 years.

To get to the FL has to be won the hard way it has to really be that important, that precious, and would devalue it if it was made easier.

There's no getting away from the fact that the best two (not by much I admit) went up this year.

The stage is set for you lot to lead the pack next season. All the very best.

Promotion should only be on  "playing" merit.  Same about Boston United not being promoted because of their ground.  Which is not that bad anyway.

The current example is Bournemouth.  They are now in the Prem on merit but have a ground that holds only 12,000. The club want to use this small capacity to their own advantage.

Very interestingly, Eddie Howe wants the away fans to still be located in a corner.  He believes his team get a pyschological advantage from having home fans behind both goals.

The club have rejected the opportunity to increase the capacity to 15,000.  Away fans must have up to 10% of the overall capacity.  Increasing the capacity would mean that having more away fans would mean that they would have to be located behind the goal.  Howe has rejected any plans that stop home fans being both goals.

(Are you listening Town re having home fans inthe Osmond Stand more next season?.