good morning!
We’ll dive into the EFL Championship a little later this week, so for now let’s check out the lower divisions in English football now that all 46 matches have been played:
League One:
After two years away and barely surviving as a club, Derby County are returning to the Championship. The Rams booked their spot with a straightforward 2-0 win against Carlisle, including a fifth-minute goal that got the celebration started early.
Bolton can still make a remarkable return of their own, but they’ll have to go through the playoffs.
Promoted: Portsmouth, Derby
Playoffs: Bolton, Peterborough, Oxford United, Barnsley
Relegated: Cheltenham, Fleetwood, Port Vale, Carlisle
League Two:
There wasn’t too much decided on the final day of the season. Still, Wrexham capped off the double-promotion with a home win against champions Stockport County. Meanwhile, it seems like a horrible run-in (0-2-3) knocked Barrow out of the playoff picture.
And pour one out for Forest Green, who go back down to non-league football.
Promoted: Stockport, Wrexham, Mansfield
Playoffs: MK Dons, Doncaster, Crewe Alexandria, Crawley Town
Relegated: Sutton United, Forest Green
National League:
We’re already in the playoffs here, with Barnet suffering a horrific 0-4 loss to Solihull Moors in the semifinals. That means it will either be them or Bromley joining Chesterfield in League Two next year.
On the opposite end of the table, Dorking Wanderers suffered their first ever relegation.
Promoted: Chesterfield
Playoff final: Solihull Moors vs Bromley
Relegated: Boreham Wood, Kidderminster, Dorking Wanderers, Oxford City
Fitzie’s track of the day: Fly, by Chicano Batman
And now for your links:
Charlie Eccleshare ($$): Spurs’ derby defeat had something for both Ange believers and sceptics
Dan KP: Spurs assessing Timo Werner injury concerns
Harry Winks’ Leicester City clinch EFL Championship title
US and Mexico withdraw 2027 Women’s World Cup bid