2025-26 League Two Thread

[JJ1990]

One of the fan accounts on social media posted a potential line up for the 2025-26 League Two season. So, with 15 or so games left, some teams might already be looking towards next season. Who will be in L2 for 25-26?

In L1, all of the current bottom 4 have shown like they could put together a few wins and get out of danger. Cambridge and Crawley I think are doomed, Burton and Shrewsbury less so, but they are still deep in trouble. I hope Posh don't come down, they'll destroy everyone to win the league next season. Exeter and Bristol Rovers aren't safe either.

In League Two, a fair few teams look destined for mid-table. Cheltenham, MK Dons and Bromley look very settled into mid-table mediocrity. Newport, Barrow, Fleetwood and Swindon are probably the same.

In the National League, it's like being asked to pick between being shot, stabbed or drowned. Barnet are the front runners, their non-existent fan base will be lovely in L2, although they wouldn't be a promotion threat. FGR and York are the 2 money bags teams and both boast arsehole owners. Gateshead and Halifax, no thanks. Oldham maybe for their decent fan base and location. Hardly a great set of options though.

Thoughts?

 

[kieran_vale]

Can Gateshead come up this time as I thought they had complications with their stadium that eliminated them from the playoffs last year? Barnet would be good for the London away day and it’s a long time ago now but I think they had a really good bar under their away end. Other than that York or Oldham probably the pick of the bunch.

Going down to be honest couldn’t care less. Burton would be ok for the close away day but they do this every year where they look dead and buried and eventually get clear.

 

[AlanPep]

Gateshead have signed a deal with the local council for their ground with sufficient tenure allowing them to now be promoted

 

[Tallow]

Carlisle have got to be in it, we're most teams cup final











*written tongue in cheek, for the hard of thinking *

 

[Scum.]

Never spent three consecutive seasons down here.

Guess we are destined to make some more history at least and with our worst ever season (anything lower than 4th in L2 which looks nailed on).

 

[valefan16]

Hope we aren’t in this but it’s 50/50 at the minute.

Not surprised to see the teams down there in L1, Shrewsbury, Cambridge and Burton all deserved relegation last year but had the luck of four worse teams, all seven were dire and they were just circling the plug waiting to fall through eventually, you’d look at them if they do fall this time to not bounce back quickly and have to turn around a 2-3 year losing mentality. Burton have new owners but not sure if they are good or not.

Crawley was expected with their squad being revamped shall we say after promotion.

York would be a decent away day and financially may be a player at the top end otherwise take your pick from the rest I guess.

Looks likely I would say to be weaker next year than this if for example Notts/Doncaster who have decent budgets to up or ourselves in that bracket I suppose.

 

[Coalite]

The York guy appears to be a graceless, attention-seeking moneyed halfwit. I’d rather have Barnet, even though York is half an hour down the road from me.

 

[Grimsby Road]

Hope we aren’t in this but it’s 50/50 at the minute.

Not surprised to see the teams down there in L1, Shrewsbury, Cambridge and Burton all deserved relegation last year but had the luck of four worse teams, all seven were dire and they were just circling the plug waiting to fall through eventually, you’d look at them if they do fall this time to not bounce back quickly and have to turn around a 2-3 year losing mentality. Burton have new owners but not sure if they are good or not.

Crawley was expected with their squad being revamped shall we say after promotion.

York would be a decent away day and financially may be a player at the top end otherwise take your pick from the rest I guess.

Looks likely I would say to be weaker next year than this if for example Notts/Doncaster who have decent budgets to up or ourselves in that bracket I suppose.

I want all the relative big spenders gone and the least competitive to come up , i reckon we will have a chance next season assuming we don't do a Crawley ! Which i still think is unlikely . But the more 'league 2 ' it is the better for the more well run/moderate spenders like us i think . That's the thing with this 3 up 3 down aswell it sounds a nice idea but below 3 teams in the NL they all average under 4k It's nearing the NL being emptied out of the more well supported/bankrolled clubs . I suppose it's just Southend , Oldham , York and Hartlepool who are proper traditional bigger league clubs down there , once they are gone not much left in terms of fanbases unless you go down to NLN and our neighbours of course .

 

[lordofthepies]

In the unlikely event that Crewe don't get promoted, I would like York and Halifax or Alty from the National League. The League One options are all as bad as each other really, but I've not been to Cambridge, Exeter or Bristol Rovers, so I guess those 3.

 

[Son of Cod]

In the unlikely event that Crewe don't get promoted, I would like York and Halifax or Alty from the National League. The League One options are all as bad as each other really, but I've not been to Cambridge, Exeter or Bristol Rovers, so I guess those 3.

My preference would be Barnet out of the three in the auto hunt. York are looking like they're gonna chuck money at it until the get through L2 when they come up, so would be good to keep that at arms length for as long as possible. Then one of Southend, Halifax, Hartlepool, Rochdale, Oldham or Alty. Basically anybody but Solihull or Gateshead will do.

Down from L1 the current bottom four of Cambridge, Burton, Crawley and Shrewsbury is probably less likely to challenge than the teams immediately above them so let's go with that. Agree that it's an uninspiring bunch though.

 

[Scum.]

Some southern clubs please. Having Tuesday night away games at Fleetwood, Barrow, Carlisle, and Accrington Stanley, sandwiched between Saturday away games at Doncaster, Tranmere and Bradford all in the space of 2 months in the middle of winter isn’t ideal.

 

[leedsvaliant]

London away day all day for me. I went to Barnet's old ground but it was a hole. Went past the new ground on the train not long ago and it looks a smart setup.

 

[Meadow]

London away day all day for me. I went to Barnet's old ground but it was a hole. Went past the new ground on the train not long ago and it looks a smart setup.

I've been to both grounds. The Hive isn't bad. Despite being just 15 miles away, it takes nearly 2 hours by public transport.

I'd like to see Barnet and York come back and stay back.

 

[GTFCfish]

I've been to both grounds. The Hive isn't bad. Despite being just 15 miles away, it takes nearly 2 hours by public transport.

I'd like to see Barnet and York come back and stay back.

Barnet will never stay back, 2 or 3 seasons max with them circling the drain before dropping back again.

 

[EnglishRed]

Barnet will never stay back, 2 or 3 seasons max with them circling the drain before dropping back again.

It's all they ever do.

 

[JJ1990]

Big win for Barnet tonight against York. With them winning and FGR drawing, they now hold a healthy lead at the top, although York do have 2 games in hand.

Barnet as I said in the OP would be fine, not a great ground and a small fan base, but they seem the least dislikeable of the top 3 and they would top out as a mid-table side like Bromley have this season at best you'd suspect.

 

[クレイグ]

Hope it's not York. Can't be arsed having their fans be all over us on social media. No to Oldham. Not losing another nipple at their ground on a cold Tuesday night in November. Halifax? Do they still have that weird fan on here? No idea who I'd want to see up, to be honest. Maybe Alty for something different.

 

[Stocky]

Altrincham are a good club who I've always thought have potential to grow (relatively) support wise.

Quite a non league feel to them and the set up but I suppose it's not something they can shake until they actually get up here.

Another very good win for them tonight.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Not saying that Mansfield are close to a relegation battle but their form is honking and they’re dropping like a stone. Not arsed about who comes down but the more Midlands clubs the better.

Wouldn’t mind Gateshead up as it’s local for me, especially as we look to be losing Carlisle. York or FGR back up for me, York are just annoying now.

 

[クレイグ]

Hope Crawley don't come down.

Casey

 

[1862]

Not saying that Mansfield are close to a relegation battle but their form is honking and they’re dropping like a stone. Not arsed about who comes down but the more Midlands clubs the better.

Wouldn’t mind Gateshead up as it’s local for me, especially as we look to be losing Carlisle. York or FGR back up for me, York are just annoying now.

Was listening to the radio walking home and Clough sounds like a man defeated, but I think they've got enough points already. Some if the teams down the bottom have picked up but are still a fair way off

 

[Spireitelass97]

Not saying that Mansfield are close to a relegation battle but their form is honking and they’re dropping like a stone. Not arsed about who comes down but the more Midlands clubs the better.

Wouldn’t mind Gateshead up as it’s local for me, especially as we look to be losing Carlisle. York or FGR back up for me, York are just annoying now.

Mansfield coming down would be perfect

 

[Si Robin]

The FGR fans meltdown on Twitter after drawing 0-0 with bottom of the league Ebbsfleet is wonderful. Agent Cotterill in action there

I'd love to see Altrincham come up - something really likeable about them. Them and Barnet would be decent additions. Failing Altrincham, I've always had a soft spot for Oldham and their team made up of Cheltenham rejects.

 

[GTFCfish]

The FGR fans meltdown on Twitter after drawing 0-0 with bottom of the league Ebbsfleet is wonderful. Agent Cotterill in action there

I'd love to see Altrincham come up - something really likeable about them. Them and Barnet would be decent additions. Failing Altrincham, I've always had a soft spot for Oldham and their team made up of Cheltenham rejects.

Don't know I it's still the same guy too but Altrinchams manager that year we were down there is a cracking bloke too, very likeable.

 

[BarraMatt]

Didn't realise how close Peterborough are to the bottom.

 

[BarraMatt]

Don't know I it's still the same guy too but Altrinchams manager that year we were down there is a cracking bloke too, very likeable.

Paul Parkhouse. Confusingly has the same name as the Wrexham manager.

 

[Spireitelass97]

Lot of people saying Altrincham. Good away day but imagine they’d need some work on the ground. Portaloos on stilts in away end. They play good football and have been up there for a good few years.

Gateshead have been a good footballing side too but hideous ground by all accounts.

York is decent for those driving & a good option to make a day/weekend of it.

Oldham can stay down there a bit longer. Nobody wants FGR surely.

 

[Crewelad87]

Anyone but FGR to be honest, all of the other contenders have a few pluses that makes them an attractive/interesting fixture.

 

[Coalite]

I've been to both grounds. The Hive isn't bad. Despite being just 15 miles away, it takes nearly 2 hours by public transport.

I'd like to see Barnet and York come back and stay back.

Barnet are on about moving again if memory serves. Back to Barnet rather than Harrow or Wealdstone or wherever it is where the Hive is.

 

[AlanPep]

Gateshead ground isn’t a football ground, big running track around it and little atmosphere as a result, feels like you’re a long way from the action. Altrincham are a good bunch, I met and spoke to some proper football fans when we played them in the playoffs. I’m biased, but we could do with a couple of Southern teams to balance up this league a bit better. I’d take Barnet, we usually play well against them, I found everything about FGR soulless so they can stay below us thanks. Cambridge and Crawley coming down with Barnet and Southend coming up would help the balance . . . . .