This season’s bottom tier of the English Football League saw devastation at the bottom, clubs rebuilding and a promotion race that constantly changed shape.
TIBS News reviews the 2021-22 League Two season.
Promoted sides
Champions: Forest Green Rovers
A 2-2 draw at Mansfield on the final day saw Forest Green crowned champions on goal difference as they were promoted to League One for the first time in their history. Matt Stevens and Jamille Matt scored 23 and 19 goals respectively as the lethal duo recorded 55 goal contributions between them. A run of seven games without a win in the last third of the season allowed the chasing teams catch up to the leaders but they managed to hold on to secure a memorable title.
Runners-up: Exeter City
Years of failed play-off campaigns were avenged by Matt Taylor and his men after a fantastic season as they were pipped to the title on the final day. Top scorer Matt Jay finished seventh in the league rankings as the Grecians spread 65 goals across 17 players. They also conceded the third least number of goals, showing that their incredible teamwork happened all over the pitch. Paul Tisdale couldn’t get his side to the third tier again after relegation in 2012 but 10 years later his protege succeeded where he didn’t.
Third-place: Bristol Rovers
One of the most historic final days in the club’s history saw the Gas promoted on goals scored after finishing level with Northampton on points and goal difference. With Northampton winning by two goals at Barrow, Rovers needed to beat their result by four goals and an 85th-minute goal saw them emerge 7-0 winners over Scunthorpe to reward their incredible late run of nine wins in their last 12. Joey Barton had to revitalise a disillusioned side when they were relegated from League One but has risen to the challenge in entertaining fashion.
Play-offs: Port Vale
A dominant play-off final victory over Mansfield saw Port Vale return to the third tier for the first time since 2017. Despite occupying the automatic promotion spots for some time, three losses in a row saw them drop from the top three but a nerve-wracking play-off campaign saw them overcome Swindon on penalties before thrashing Mansfield 3-0 at Wembley. A nine-game unbeaten run which started in March ensured a play-off spot proved enough as Vale avoided the heartbreak of throwing promotion away, albeit doing it the hard way.
Relegated sides
23rd: Oldham Athletic
A huge outpour of sympathy was directed towards Greater Manchester as Oldham were relegated from the Football League after 116 years in professional football. Clashes between the fans and owner Abdallah Lemsagam, who has put the club up for transfer, regularly disrupted the season with pitch invasions and protests becoming a recurring sight towards the end of the season. Davis Keillor-Dunn was a rare bright spot as he recorded 15 goals for his side but promotion back to League Two will be all the more difficult now that his contract has expired.
24th: Scunthorpe United
Disappointment shrouded Scunthorpe’s season as they finished rock bottom of the table. Four wins all season summed up a side that were the only team in the top four tiers to concede 90 goals this season. Top scorers Miles Hippolyte and Ryan Loft managed four goals each as the entire side could only muster 29 overall, with only Norwich scoring less in the English professional leagues. Manager Keith Hill has voiced his desire to stay but claimed the ‘terrible culture’ at the club needs to change if they have any hope of changing trajectory next season.
Honourable Mentions
Newport County – The Exiles fell foul to a late collapse which saw them plummet down the table and out of the play-off places. Dominic Telford led the league with his 25 goals and the Welsh side were on course for at least a top-seven place but two wins in their last nine games proved too much to recover from.
Sutton United – In their first EFL season ever, the underdogs finished one point outside of the play-offs as they surprised the entire league. The determined side had 17 different scorers in the league as they demonstrated that working hard as one unit is just as important as a big money signing to come in and save the day.
Hartlepool United – After a four-year spell in the National League, Hartlepool settled into EFL life quickly and set up a strong foundation to build on for years to come. Finishing 17th may not grab the headlines, but to comfortably secure safety by 16 points showed that they had little to worry about as they can now start to look up the table instead of below them.
Stevenage – A whirlwind season for Boro saw them play under three managers with Alex Revell and Paul Tisdale leaving before Steve Evans could steer them toward safety. Luke Norris and Elliott List combined for 27 goals (15 and 12 respectively) whilst chaos remained around the club. With Evans still at the helm, continuity and consistency are now the aims for a club that has forgotten what calmness feels like.
Top Players
1. Forest Green Rovers – Kane Wilson
2. Exeter City – Tim Dieng
3. Bristol Rovers – James Belshaw
4. Northampton – Liam Roberts
5. Port Vale – James Wilson
6. Swindon Town – Harry McKirdy
7. Mansfield Town – Stephen McLaughlin
8. Sutton United – Ben Goodliffe
9. Tranmere Rovers – Elliott Nevitt
10. Salford City – Corrie Ndaba
11. Newport County – Cameron Norman
12. Crawley Town – Joel Lynch
13. Leyton Orient – Lawrence Vigouroux
14. Bradford City – Paudie O’Connor
15. Colchester United – Shamal George
16. Walsall – Liam Kinsella
17. Hartlepool United – Luke Molyneux
18. Rochdale – Eoghan O’Connell
19. Harrogate Town – Jack Diamond
20. Carlisle United – Mark Howard
21. Stevenage – Luke Norris
22. Barrow – Robbie Gotts
23. Oldham Athletic – Davis Keillor-Dunn
24. Scunthorpe United – Rory Watson
By Joshua Stewart
