June 10 – After weeks of prevarication, the third and fourth tiers of English football have both been curtailed early after a formal vote by the clubs involved.
Leagues One and Two will thus be settled by points per game, with promotion and relegation decided and the play-offs remaining.
The main beneficiaries are Coventry City and Rotherham United who go up from League One to the second-tier Championship, while Wycombe Wanderers replace Peterborough in the League One play-off places. Wycombe are joined by Oxford United, Portsmouth and Fleetwood Town in the playoffs for the final promotion spot.
Swindon Town have been declared League Two champions while at the other end Tranmere Rovers, Southend United and, tellingly, Bolton Wanderers – one of the founders of the Football League in 1888 – are all relegated to League Two.
Swindon were actually second when the season was halted because of Covid-19 but level on points with leaders Crewe Alexandra with a game in hand and therefore have a better PPG ratio. But Crewe are also promoted to League One as are third-placed Plymouth Argyle.
Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Colchester United and Northampton Town will contest the League Two playoffs.
Bottom club Stevenage seem likely to be relegated to non-league football but due to “ongoing disciplinary matters” this is not yet certain since second-bottom Macclesfield Town are facing disciplinary action and a loss of points over the non-payment of wages.
EFL chair Rick Parry (pictured) said there was not “universal satisfaction” with the decision to settle the season by PPG but the verdict had been reached after widespread consultations.
“Today’s outcome ensures the League and its clubs remain as faithful as possible to the previously agreed regulations and that there is consistency in the approach adopted across the EFL in all divisions if required,” said Parry.
“It is clear that the challenges facing the League from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic are unprecedented and I thank the contribution of EFL clubs in making this important determination.”
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