League Two England football tournament is one of the most important and anticipated tournaments in England. Known as “League Two” or “EFL League Two”, this league is the final step of the professional football system in England.
With the participation of clubs from all over the region, this tournament is not only a place for young players to have the opportunity to develop their talents, but also a place for small clubs to challenge other teams. big ball. In this article, SEA Games 2019 will learn about the League Two England football tournament, from its history to the latest information about this tournament.
What is League Two England football?
League Two England football tournament is a professional football tournament in England, part of the English Football Association (FA) tournament system. It is known as “League Two” or “EFL League Two”, with EFL standing for English Football League – The organization that manages professional football leagues in England. This tournament was established in 2004, when the English Football Association decided to restructure its tournament system.
Previously, this tournament was called “Football League Fourth Division”, and was established in 1958. However, after restructuring, this tournament was renamed to “League Two” and became the final step in the professional league system in England. Clubs participating in this tournament must meet stadium, financial and infrastructure standards to participate.
History of formation and development of League Two England football tournament
As mentioned above, League Two England football tournament was established in 2004 after the English Football Association’s tournament system was restructured. Previously, this tournament was called “Football League Fourth Division” and was established in 1958. However, after other tournaments in the professional football system in England were restructured, the tournament This also became the final step.
From 2004 until now, League Two England football tournament has become an important playground for young English football talents. Many famous players today such as Jamie Vardy, Charlie Austin or Chris Smalling all played in this tournament before successfully conquering higher tournaments.
League Two England football tournament format
League Two England football tournament takes place in a round-robin format, meaning clubs will play each other two times (one at home and one away). Each match will result in a win, loss or draw, and clubs will receive points accordingly. After the end of the season, the club with the highest score will be crowned champion and promoted to a higher league, while the clubs ranked 2nd to 7th will participate in the play-offs to compete for spots. promoted.
In addition, this tournament also has additional cups such as the EFL Trophy (English League Cup) and FA Cup (FA Cup). Clubs participating in this tournament also have the opportunity to participate in European tournaments such as the Europa League if they achieve good results during the season.
League Two England football tournament schedule for the 2023-2024 season
The 2023-2024 season of the League Two England football tournament is expected to take place from August 2023 to May 2024. However, due to the current Covid-19 epidemic situation, the schedule is subject to change and will officially announced by the English Football Association.
Below is the expected schedule of the tournament:
Latest rankings of League Two England football tournament
Currently, League Two England football tournament is in a break between seasons. However, we can review the rankings of the 2022-2023 season together to better understand the achievements of the clubs in this tournament.
Thus, Peterborough United was crowned champion of the 2022-2023 season of League Two England football tournament with 91 points. Sunderland and Portsmouth also had a successful season when ranked 2nd and 3rd on the rankings. Meanwhile, clubs such as Charlton Athletic, Oxford United and Plymouth Argyle also had an impressive season when ranked 4th, 5th and 6th on the rankings.
> See more: What is League One England football tournament?
Clubs participating in League Two England football tournament
League Two England is a place where small clubs can challenge big teams. Currently, this tournament has the participation of 24 clubs, including:
- 1. Barrow
- 2. Bradford City
- 3. Bristol Rovers
- 4. Cambridge United
- 5. Carlisle United
- 6. Cheltenham Town
- 7. Colchester United
- 8. Crawley Town
- 9. Exeter City
- 10. Forest Green Rovers
- 11. Harrogate Town
- 12. Hartlepool United
- 13. Leyton Orient
- 14. Mansfield Town
- 15. Newport County
- 16. Northampton Town
- 17. Oldham Athletic
- 18. Port Vale
- 19. Rochdale
- 20. Salford City
- 21. Scunthorpe United
- 22. Stevenage
- 23. Sutton United
- 24. Tranmere Rovers
Famous players who played in League Two England football tournament
League Two England football tournament has witnessed the participation of many talented and famous players in history. Below is a list of famous players who have played in League Two England football tournament:
1. Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy is one of the most successful players to ever play in League Two England football. He joined Leicester City in 2012 from Fleetwood Town, a club competing in League Two football. Vardy scored 31 goals in the 2011-2012 season and helped Fleetwood Town get promoted to League One.
After joining Leicester City, Vardy continued to prove his talent and became one of the important players in the advancement of this team. He and Leicester City won the Premier League in 2016 and is currently the captain of this team.
2. Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling is one of the other famous players who played in League Two England football tournament. He joined Manchester United in 2010 from Maidstone United, a club competing in League Two football. Smalling played very successfully at Manchester United and became one of the Premier League’s top centre-backs.
3. Charlie Austin
Charlie Austin is a player with a tumultuous career who played in League Two England football. He joined Swindon Town in 2009 from Poole Town, a club competing in the Southern League Division One South & West. At Swindon Town, Austin scored 37 goals in the 2009-2010 season and helped the team advance to League One.
After that, he continued to play for Burnley and Queens Park Rangers before joining Southampton in 2016. Currently, Austin is playing for West Bromwich Albion in the Championship football tournament (English First Division).
Notable matches in the history of League Two England football
League Two England football tournament has witnessed many dramatic and notable matches in history. Below is a list of the most notable matches in the history of League Two England football:
1. Play-off match between Wycombe Wanderers and Southend United (2015)
The play-off match between Wycombe Wanderers and Southend United in 2015 is considered one of the most dramatic matches in the history of League Two England football. After drawing 1-1 in the first leg, both teams continued to hold each other 0-0 in the second leg.
In the penalty shootout, Wycombe Wanderers won 7-6 and won promotion to League One. This is the first time Wycombe Wanderers has been promoted to League One after 16 years of playing in League Two football tournament.
2. Play-off match between Shrewsbury Town and Lincoln City (2018)
The play-off match between Shrewsbury Town and Lincoln City in 2018 is also one of the notable matches in the history of League Two England football. After drawing 1-1 in the first leg, both teams continued to hold each other 0-0 in the second leg.
In the penalty shootout, Shrewsbury Town won 4-3 and won promotion to League One. This is the first time Shrewsbury Town has been promoted to League One after 30 years of playing in League Two football tournament.
3. Play-off match between Exeter City and Carlisle United (2017)
The play-off match between Exeter City and Carlisle United in 2017 is also one of the notable matches in the history of League Two England football. After drawing 3-3 in the first leg, both teams continued to have a 0-0 draw in the second leg.
In the penalty shootout, Exeter City won 3-2 and won promotion to League One. This is the first time Exeter City has been promoted to League One after 5 years of playing in League Two football tournament.
Interesting records and statistics about League Two England football
League Two England football tournament is not only a place for clubs to compete but also a place for young players to have the opportunity to develop and shine. Below are interesting records and statistics about League Two England football:
- Player with the most goals in a season: Jamie Cureton (Colchester United) with 23 goals in the 2006-2007 season.
- Player with the most appearances: Graham Alexander (Scunthorpe United) with 1,023 appearances throughout his career.
- Clubs with most league titles: Chesterfield, Doncaster Rovers, and Plymouth Argyle have all won League Two England twice.
- Club with the most promotions: Lincoln City and Wycombe Wanderers have both been promoted four times from the Conference National to League Two.
- Youngest player to appear: Reuben Noble-Lazarus (Barnsley) at 15 years and 45 days in 2008.
- Oldest player to appear: Kevin Ellison (Morecambe) at 42 years and 276 days in 2021.
- Player to score from the longest distance: Charlie Mulgrew (Aberdeen) with a shot from a distance of 44.6 meters in 2008.