L2 longest serving clubs and betting odds

[upthemaggies]

Only a third of L2 clubs will be starting 4 or more successive campaigns at this level next season.
For more than half of L2 clubs, it's only season number 3 or less.

(figure includes the 2024/25 season)
12 NEWPORT CO.
9 COLCHESTER U.
6 BRADFORD CITY
6 WALSALL
6 SALFORD CITY
5 TRANMERE ROV
5 BARROW
5 HARROGATE T.
4 SWINDON TOWN
3 CREWE ALEX.
3 DONCASTER ROV
3 GILLINGHAM
3 GRIMSBY TOWN
3 WIMBLEDON
2 NOTTS COUNTY
2 MORECAMBE
2 ACCRINGTON S.
2 MILTON KEYNES
1 CARLISLE UTD
1 CHESTERFIELD
1 PORT VALE
1 CHELTENHAM T.
1 FLEETWOOD T.
1 BROMLEY

Of these 24 clubs, Crewe have spent the most seasons in total in tier 4 - 2024/25 will be their 42nd, followed by Doncaster (35th) and Colchester (33rd). 11 of these clubs have played more seasons in tier 4 than Notts for whom it will be the 21st 4th tier campaign.
Bromley obviously play their first, Fleetwood have the next least experience of tier 4 in starting their 3rd campaign.

Bromley, Harrogate and Salford are the three clubs who have never got higher than this level.
Seven current 4th tier clubs have never dropped lower - Bradford City, Crewe, Gillingham, MK Dons, Port Vale, Swindon and Walsall.

It's almost 40 years now since automatic promotion was introduced between tiers 4 and 5 (1986/87) and yet we still haven't had a single case of a promoted club being relegated immediately back down. Could Bromley be the first? They are the early 2nd favourites for the drop after Morecambe (who have big problems behind the scenes). Chesterfield are the early favourites for promotion.....

Promotion odds
Chesterfield 2/1
MK Dons 9/4
Carlisle 11/4
Gillingham 3/1
Notts 3/1

https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-2

[slack_pie]

If Chesterfield are considered favourites then it's going to be a weak L2!

I can see Gillingham and MKD doing well. There are always a couple of surprise packages too.

No idea where we'll finish. Will wait to see who we sign, but even then, SM has a lot to prove.

[The_Don_ORiordan]

We were joint favourites at this point last season.

Along with Wrexham.

It’s the defence that will be tested. As ours and wrexhams was.

[upthemaggies]

If Chesterfield are considered favourites then it's going to be a weak L2!

I can see Gillingham and MKD doing well. There are always a couple of surprise packages too.

No idea where we'll finish. Will wait to see who we sign, but even then, SM has a lot to prove.

Surprised to see Carlisle in the promotion favourites mix, after the season they had. More defeats than anybody in the top 5 tiers (30) and they haven't won a home games since 1st Jan. Seven of the last eight clubs to be relegated from L1 have finished in the bottom half of L2 the following season (MKD being the one exception).

Just had a quick look on Morecambe's forum and it looks like they are trying to raise money for a Trust to save the club.

[caj85]

Surprised to see Carlisle in the promotion favourites mix, after the season they had. More defeats than anybody in the top 5 tiers (30) and they haven't won a home games since 1st Jan. Seven of the last eight clubs to be relegated from L1 have finished in the bottom half of L2 the following season (MKD being the one exception).

Just had a quick look on Morecambe's forum and it looks like they are trying to raise money for a Trust to save the club.

Haven't Carlisle now got wealthy owners?

[upthemaggies]

Haven't Carlisle now got wealthy owners?

They took over last November.
Big drop in season ticket sales there apparently, which you'd expect I suppose after a relegation, but seems they're not happy about the manager being kept on (in charge since Feb 22).

[upthemaggies]

talkSport have just had the Morecambe owner on. They currently have only 5 players (two of those under 18) and are under a transfer embargo.
A fan messaged to point out the owner previously ruined a rugby club that he owned and was banned from being a director in that sport for a year.
Doesn't sound good for them.