Getting cosy in League Two

[upthemaggies]

Longest serving clubs in L2, including the forthcoming season.

Only 4 clubs remain from the season we were last at this level without changing divisions since.

MANSFIELD T. 11 seasons (including 2023/24)
NEWPORT CO. 11
CRAWLEY TOWN 9
COLCHESTER U. 8
BRADFORD CITY 5
WALSALL 5
SALFORD CITY 5
TRANMERE ROV 4
BARROW 4
HARROGATE T. 4
SWINDON TOWN 3
SUTTON UTD 3
CREWE ALEX. 2
STOCKPORT CO 2
DONCASTER ROV 2
GILLINGHAM 2
GRIMSBY TOWN 2
WIMBLEDON 2
WREXHAM 1
NOTTS COUNTY 1
MORECAMBE 1
ACCRINGTON S. 1
FOREST GREEN 1
MILTON KEYNES 1

Based on those stats we're unlikely to stick around for more than 3/4 seasons,, over 5 would be unusual.

Three current L2 clubs have never been higher than tier 4
1. HARROGATE T.
2. SALFORD CITY
3. SUTTON UTD

Six current L2 clubs have never been lower than tier 4 since being elected into the FL (or stealing Wimbledon's place in one case)
1. BRADFORD CITY
2. CREWE ALEX.
3. GILLINGHAM
4. MILTON KEYNES
5. SWINDON TOWN
6. WALSALL

Of the current L2 crop, Crewe have spent the most seasons in tier 4 - 2023/24 will be their 41st. Sutton Utd the least, next season being their 3rd.

If Notts were to win the title, we'd then have the joint most tier 4 championships with Chesterfield, 4.

32 different clubs have got promoted from this level via the play offs (Blackpool the most, 3 times). It's the only level Notts have yet to go up from via this method.

[Pies4u]

Great stuff - very interesting data. Notable too that all 6 promoted Clubs since we joined tier 5 are all still in tier 4. Stockport being the closest to gaining promotion, from memory.

I suspect a few folks will be surprised by the standard in L2 - there are quite a few big, quick and relatively young/dynamic teams. It will be a far tougher challenge but I’m cautiously optimistic tbh. Top half would be very good in my view, play offs or better would be a genuine bonus!

[countygump]

Took Luton 4 seasons to get out, look where they are now and they are by no means a rich club.


Get busy with the Didzy.

[upthemaggies]

Great stuff - very interesting data. Notable too that all 6 promoted Clubs since we joined tier 5 are all still in tier 4.

Mixed fortunes for those that have come down from L1 to L2 since we dropped out.

2018/19
Plymouth Arg.
Walsall
S****horpe U.
Bradford City

2019/20
Tranmere Rov
Southend Utd
Bolton W.

2020/21
Rochdale
Northampton T
Swindon Town
Bristol Rov

2021/22
Gillingham
Doncaster Rov
Wimbledon
Crewe Alex.


Plymouth now in tier 2 whilst Scunny have dropped all the way through to tier 6.
All of the sides relegated in 2022 finished in the bottom half of the table in 2023, which lends weight to the theory that it is a tough division.