08 May 2023 , 16:06
674
0
May is always an intense time of the year for British football fans.
It's the month when the regular season draws to a close, with some clubs enjoying memorable promotions and others suffering hollow relegations. After nine months of hard work, managers and players are left to reflect on what they have - or haven't - achieved.
Most teams will now head off into the sunshine for a well-earned break, but there are a dozen hopeful English Football League (EFL) sides who are still fighting for promotion via the play-offs. Only three of them will experience the euphoria of winning at Wembley.
With the regular season over, here is the full list of promotions, relegations and play-off fixtures from the Championship, League One and League Two.
Championship
It was all about the play-offs on the Championship's final day. Champions Burnley and runners-up Sheffield Untied were by far the best two teams in the division this season. As for relegation, Wigan, Blackpool and Reading were already down.
Carlos Corberan details West Brom secrets behind rise including Bielsa trick
Five teams went into the final day challenging for the final two play-off spots: Coventry, Millwall, Sunderland, West Brom and Blackburn. Coventry needed a draw at Middlesbrough to get over the line, while Millwall had to beat Blackburn to confirm their fate.
Millwall suffered heartbreak against Blackburn (Getty Images)Who do you think will win the play-offs? Let us know in the comments below!
As for Sunderland and West Brom, they needed to win at Preston and Swansea respectively to have any chance of breaking into the top six. Sunderland didn't let their travelling fans down by storming to a 3-0 victory at Deepdale, which put pressure on Millwall.
The Londoners responded by going 3-1 up, only for Blackburn to complete a stunning comeback and win 4-3. Yet that wasn't enough for Blackburn, with Sunderland finishing above them on goal difference. Coventry secured fifth with a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.
Promotion: Burnley, Sheffield United
Relegated: Reading, Blackpool, Wigan
Play-offs: Luton, Middlesbrough, Coventry, Sunderland
Play-off dates...
- Sunderland vs Luton, Stadium of Light, Saturday 13 May, 3pm
- Coventry vs Middlesbrough, Coventry Building Society Arena, Sunday 14 May, 12pm
- Luton vs Sunderland, Kenilworth Road, Tuesday 16 May, 8pm
- Middlesbrough vs Coventry, Riverside, Wednesday 17 May, 8pm
- Final, Wembley, Saturday 27 May, 4:45pm
League One
Plymouth were crowned champions of League One on Saturday afternoon (Getty Images)After Sheffield Wednesday won 1-0 at Portsmouth in March, they seemed destined to win the title. That result left the Owls top of League One, five points clear of Ipswich in third with two games in hand. It also extended their unbeaten run to 22 games.
Yet a run of six games without a win opened the door for Plymouth and Ipswich. The two clubs stormed to automatic promotion, with Plymouth claiming the title and Ipswich settling for second place. Somehow, a tally of 96 points wasn't enough for the Owls.
Leeds turn to former Bielsa coach Carlos Corberan after sacking Jesse Marsch
Wednesday will take on Peterborough in the play-offs after Darren Ferguson's side won 2-0 at Barnsley on the final day to clinch sixth place. The Posh leapfrogged Derby, who ironically lost at Hillsborough. The other play-off tie is between Barnsley and Bolton.
As for relegation, Oxford, MK Dons, Morecambe, Cambridge and Accrington were all in danger on the final day. Accrington won 2-0 at Oxford, but goal difference ensured the winners went down and the losers stayed up.
Morecombe's 3-2 loss at Exeter ensured a return to League Two, while MK Dons' failure to win at Burton gave Cambridge the chance to stay up. It was an opportunity they took, beating bottom club Forest Green 2-0 at home.
Promotion: Plymouth, Ipswich
Relegated: MK Dons, Morecambe, Accrington, Forest Green
Play-offs: Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Bolton, Peterborough
Play-off fixtures...
- Peterborough vs Sheffield Wednesday, London Road, Friday 12 May, 8pm
- Bolton vs Barnsley, University of Bolton Stadium, Saturday 13 May, 3pm
- Sheffield Wednesday vs Peterborough, Hillsborough, Thursday 18 May, 8pm
- Barnsley vs Bolton, Oakwell, Friday 19 May, 8pm
- Final, Wembley, Monday 29 May, 3pm
League Two
Northampton secured promotion to League One on Sunday afternoon (Getty Images)Much had already been decided heading into League Two's final day. Leyton Orient had comfortably won the title, with Stevenage achieving promotion last weekend. At the other end of the table, Hartlepool's and Rochdale's relegation had already been confirmed.
The big prize on the final day was the final automatic promotion spot. Two teams were battling it out, with Northampton needing to match Stockport's result. Stockport, meanwhile, needed to beat Hartlepool and hope Northampton failed to win at Tranmere.
Stockport should've won, as Callum Camps missed a last-minute penalty in a 1-1 draw. Yet that result was irrelevant in the end thanks to Northampton's 1-0 win at Tranmere. A fifth-minute goal from Sam Hoskins will live long in the memory.
A play-off battle also unfolded on the final day between Carlisle, Salford, Bradford and Mansfield. The latter team needed to win at Colchester and hope one of the other three teams suffered defeat. Bradford and Carlisle both drew.
Yet Salford lost 1-0 at home to Gillingham - much to annoyance of co-owner Gary Neville - to hand a golden chance to Mansfield, who would've snatched seventh with a 3-0 win. Agonisingly for Nigel Clough's side, they could only manage a 2-0 triumph.
Promotion: Leyton Orient, Stevenage, Northampton
Relegated: Hartlepool, Rochdale
Play-offs: Stockport, Carlisle, Bradford, Salford
Play-off dates...
- Salford vs Stockport, Moor Lane, Saturday 13 May, 7:45pm
- Bradford vs Carlisle, Valley Parade, Sunday 14 May, 7pm
- Stockport vs Salford, Edgeley Park, Saturday 20 May, 12:30pm
- Carlisle vs Bradford, Brunton Park, Saturday 20 May, 3pm
- Final, Wembley, Sunday 28 May, 1:30pm