Too Big For Non-League? – Here Are The Five Biggest Clubs Outside The EFL

It is becoming a popular opinion amongst many to add a third promotion spot to the National League. An addition that would help to flow the English football pyramid more fluently, yet a decision that astonishingly continues to be outvoted by participating EFL Clubs.

Non-League is the home for some gargantuan football clubs who arguably deserve EFL football once more but are restricted by such a miniature window for promotion. In no particular order, here are some of the biggest clubs within the English Non-League football system.

York City

This season, York City have epitomised every reason why there is such a huge demand for an extra promotion spot in the National League. 96 Points, second place, 13 points greater than their third-place descendants. However, to get their anticipated ending, they must battle their way up through the apprehended playoffs – something completely obscene.

(National League Table 2024/25)

York have spent a fair trade of their existence within non-League, although it is hard to look past how much they have earned a return to the the top four tiers. Sinking as deep as the National League North just three years ago, having a promotion null and voided due to the global pandemic and now displaying such a strong campaign in the fifth tier - if justice takes its course York will see the face of League Two next season.

The Minstermen’s brand new state of the art complex has welcomed the league’s third highest average attendance this season of 6,013 spectators. It is a stadium certainly ready for League Two standard and hopefully a new era for York City, after a journey consisting of so many highs and lows.

York City will play their first ever game in the LNER Community Stadium tonight.

They host AFC Fylde in the National League North in their new 8,000 seater stadium. pic.twitter.com/mBiZfmzMb6

— Ollie Bayliss (@Ollie_Bayliss) February 16, 2021

Torquay United

It is truly devastating how Torquay United’s season has come to an end. As the National League South campaign reached its final day, we all knew that there were going to be more teams heartbroken than not. However, Torquay certainly received he worst of it; the Gulls finished level on points with Truro in top spot, level on goals conceded, but came marginally short due to Truro’s greater two goals scored. To then experience the slap of instant elimination in the playoffs put the season’s hard work to waste added to the heartache.

(National League South Table 2024/25)

It was not too long ago since Torquay were roaming up and down League One and now, they cannot even escape the sixth tier. Whilst being one of the very few professional clubs down in deep South West England, the Gulls manage to draw in mass crowds regularly for their home fixtures. They have an average of nearly 4,000 spectators at Plainmoor each game - numbers that are levels ahead of their Step 2 opposition. However, Torquay United occupying the division they are whilst having such stature signals underperformance on the pitch.

Rochdale

Rochdale’s decline down to the National League came in circumstances which we have seen happen so often in the present day. A League One relegation just four years ago followed by the trap of League Two dragging them down even further, all adjoined with financial issues and liquidation threats. The same story told by the likes of Southend, Forest Green, Oldham and now Carlisle.

However, this season has brought a glimmer of hope back to the Crown Oil Arena. A fourth-place finish sees Dale compete for promotion via the playoffs. Whilst they must pass their way through two eliminator rounds before they even think about Wembley, a chance of getting back on track beckoning is all Rochdale could ask for after spending years reminiscing over the days of League One security and League Cup near-misses. A club never loses its history, but times have slowly altered in Greater Manchester.

Playoff Eliminator in our sights 🔭#RAFC pic.twitter.com/Mw8aMzOaAy

— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) May 13, 2025

Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic are the only club in non-League football to have played in the Premier League. Their stadium – Boundary Park – holds over 13,000 spectators, occupying the second highest average attendance in the National League. And, they have finished as high as second in the English top division. Living in the past is something not best advised, but there is no explanation as to why Oldham should ever be in the National League.

Similarly to their Greater Manchester rivals Rochdale, the Latics are continuously falling below standards yet have a priceless opportunity to find salvation through this year’s playoffs. However, it is not ludicrous to suggest that Oldham should have at least been competing for the automatic spot in this division. They have the second highest club market value in the league and generate some of the largest revenues through ticket sales and their immense fan base.

(National League Club Market Values: Transfermarkt)

You cannot take anything away from Barnet this season, they set the bar ridiculously high. However, it does not seem right that a club with the legacy of Oldham finish almost 30 points lower than the Bees in top spot.

Southend United

Once again, another side competing in the National League playoffs this season. Unfortunately for seventh position Southend, none of the playoff games will be played at their lively Roots Hall. The Shrimpers top the charts for attendances in the National League, despite such negativity flowing around the seaside town for the best part of five years.

(National League Average Attendances 2024/25: Transfermarkt)

Following similar patterns, Southend are another team to endure a double relegation down from League One to non-League. Once again, this decline consisted of debt and off-pitch issues during the lockdown period. In fact, in 2019 the Shrimpers racked up £17.4 million worth of debt – numbers which frankly invite such a downfall.

On this list, Southend are one of the teams who have tallied up the most silverware. In the last 20 years alone, they have won two League Two playoffs and a League One Title. However, their record in finals is definitely not something to scream and shout about, after losing all three of their Football League Trophy finals in the 21st Century.

SKY BET LEAGUE 2 PLAY-OFF FINAL WINNERS 2015!! #TheBluesAreGoingUp pic.twitter.com/lEzr3cfHIY

— Southend United FC (@SUFCRootsHall) May 23, 2015

Honourable Mention – Bury FC There is nothing more upsetting in football than to see loyal fans’ football teams and communities stripped away from them due to poor ownership. Bury Football Club’s ill-fated expulsion from the Football League back in 2019 was a prime example of this.

However, since their recent inauguration, it has been a pleasure to watch Bury work their way back up the pyramid. Last month, the Shakers managed to make the jump up from Step 5, in front of a crowd of over 8,000 – a non-League record that may never be broken.