Football League Two, officially called Npower league two for sponsorship reasons, is the fourth tier of English football. First three teams gain automatic promotion to the League One while four remaining teams enter further play-off for the next division. However, last four teams are relegated to the League Conference, which is considered the weakest league and almost near semi-professional level. The 2012/2013 season was offered us a very interesting race to the promotion places and eventually Gillingham, Rotherham United and Port Vale reached automatic promotion.
Portsmouth represents one of the saddest stories in the English football by far. Once a very stable and prominent Premier league club is now entering League Two after spending many years in top levels of English football. A 2008 FA Cup winners and 2010 finalists, Portsmouth infrastructure is demolished by debts and other financial issues. Losing best players and getting sanctions from the FA with points deduction, resulted in this club fading and having a very short squad to compete with. Since the competition in League Two is not really strong and they might actually have a chance of rebuilding and get back in the League One. Portsmouth seems to have resolved financial issues on one hand, as they became the biggest fan-owned club in England. If anybody wants this club a well-being, it’s their supporters so we can see brighter days coming for this club. If any progress is made until 2014, we can expect Portsmouth returning to the upper level of English football.
Chesterfield was very close of securing a place in the play-offs but came two points short of 7th place. Chesterfield never played in the top flight and came to second tier on two occasions but very long time ago. Their ambitions are mostly to remain a stable club and if an opportunity to play in the bigger level occurs, they’ll take it. Chesterfield was champion of League Two in 2011 but were immediately brought back to lower division after a disappointing season in League One. Chesterfield don’t possess a very strong squad but over the years their influence in the League Two has increased and they might be able to recover and return to the League One.
Scunthorpe United suffered relegation to League Two for the first time since 2005 but were very close of saving the status. Scunthorpe is considered one of the most stable clubs in English football as they are one of three teams in top divisions to be without a debt. Still, Scunthorpe never managed to enter the Premier league and was member of the second tier for several seasons. Scunthorpe is widely known for its football academy, having sold several players in the past to top clubs in British football. Scunthorpe possess the quality to return to top division and will enter this season very confident about it. They were competitive in the League One so they should not be any obstacle in them returning. If they don’t make the first three, they can definitely fit in the play-off round.
League Two of English football is the final top tier of English football and the competition is pretty even. Most of the teams never played in the Premier league, but the beauty of this competition is the passion the players perform. They are not fighting for the money, only for the honor and for their crest.
Who wins League II 2013/2014?