The National League held its AGM last weekend at which it was decided to extend the play-offs.
Afterwards its chief executive Michael Tattersall explained how it would work.
“With more clubs having the opportunity to reach the play-offs, we will have a better season," said Tattersall as reported by the Non-League Paper.
"It’s a simple format. Obviously it’s new, but I
think it will click. I have been involved in football for a long time.
Play-offs, with four teams and two legs that’s not the only way you can
do it.
“How can we make it more exciting for longer periods and for more clubs? Well you can change the play-off format. This will extend the excitement and bring more clubs into the promotion race."
The paper reported how the new system would work.
'The new format will involve clubs effectively playing over three rounds. While the second and third-placed teams will gain an automatic bye to the semi-finals, clubs finishing in fourth to seventh will then play each other in single-leg qualifiers (fourth plays seventh; fifth plays sixth) at the home of the club that finished higher in the league.
'The winners will then progress to the semis. Again, one-leg ties at the home of the higher-placed teams – those who finished second and third – will determine the finalists for Wembley.'