The 2021-22 League One season showed once more that the talent in England’s third tier continues to get better year by year.
Clubs had highs and lows that have completely changed the shape of their organisation even from just a year ago. TIBS News reviews the season.
Promoted sides
Wigan’s phoenix-like rise from the ashes continued as they comfortably reached the Championship again after almost losing the club entirely just three years ago. Will Keane led the scoring charts with 26 goals to his name and finished joint top in goal contributions with MK Dons star Scott Twine. As normality resumes at Wigan, in a league they arguably suit more than League One, their future not only looks secure but also hopeful as they attempt to remain in the Championship.
Another team looking to retain Championship status this coming season is Rotherham. They have been relegated at the first attempt the last three times they were in the second tier. Paul Warne’s men will be hoping to buck that trend after a successful season built on solid football. Holding on to Ben Wiles will be key for Rotherham if they do stay up but they are sure to receive a fair figure for the midfielder if he does leave, allowing them to sign an adequate replacement.
Sunderland have had a torrid time in recent years with back-to-back relegations, heartbreak at Wembley and numerous managers come and go but they have finally put themselves back on track after winning the play-offs with a 2-0 victory over Wycombe. Ross Stewart led the line with 26 goals as the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’ inspired his side to score the third-most number of goals in the league. Alex Neil joined the club in February and repaid the faith put in him as he looks to prepare his side for the second tier, a side that looks very different to the one that came down from the Championship in 2018.
Relegated sides
Gillingham’s small revival under Neil Harris turned out to be futile as a final-day loss condemned them to relegation to League Two. Ben Thompson and Jack Tucker were two points of positivity for the Gills but both are being linked with moves away, which would leave big holes in Gillingham’s plans to earn promotion next season for an immediate return. Despite the disappointment of going down, hopes remain high of a successful time in League Two, even without top scorer Vadaine Oliver who has left the club following the expiration of his contract.
Despite only one team scoring less than them all season, Doncaster’s drop to League Two wasn’t confirmed officially until the last day, but realistically it had happened a week before as they needed to overcome a 17-goal swing to have any hopes of survival. Josh Martin, who joined Rovers in January on loan from Norwich, helped revitalise a lifeless squad but an abysmal first half of the season left them with too much to do in the new year. Top scorer Tommy Rowe and top assister Kyle Knoyle are both under contract for next season which could prove huge for Doncaster’s hopes of redemption
Arguably the worst season in AFC Wimbledon’s history saw the club suffer their first-ever relegation. A club record 27 games in a row without a win left them dangling in the bottom four for much of the campaign and despite a thrilling final day game, their dreadful season was confirmed with demotion to the fourth tier. Young stars Jack Rudoni and Ayoub Assal contributed to 27 out of Wimbledon’s 49 goals and many teams will be looking eagerly to see if they can poach the pair. The Cherry Reds Record Stadium should see a much better performance next season as Wimbledon go into next season already with good odds for a memorable campaign.
David Artell lost his job after Crewe’s horrible season that saw them finish rock bottom with the most losses in the league and 11 points from safety. Three wins in 2022 left their loyal supporters with disappointment. With an unclear vision of how strong their squad will be or style of play for next season, it is a contentious statement to say they will be challenging for immediate promotion. Chris Long is set to remain at the club unless a big fee comes in for him and Crewe also remain hopeful of keeping Mikael Mandron as they look to secure their essential goalscorers. Doing so would allow them to focus on improving their defence – something that needs to happen after conceding 1.8 goals per game.
Honourable mentions
MK Dons – Former boss Russell Martin left the week of their opening game, leaving centre back Dean Lewington as a makeshift manager for their 3-3 clash at Bolton. Liam Manning came in and surprised the entire league with his young squad and recorded a very unlikely third place.
Plymouth – A team without the financial muscle that is available to others in the league, they showed throughout the season that working hard all season will always achieve success. If not for a final day collapse, they would have been in the play-offs and look set-up to do well again next year.
Morecambe – Survival was the name of the game from the opening day for the Shrimps and they managed to pull it off, albeit in dramatic fashion. Cole Stockton led from the front with 23 goals, proving once again how invaluable he is to his side. Three wins and a draw in their last seven games saw them sneak out of the bottom four at the expense of Gillingham.
Cambridge – Sam Smith and Joe Ironside scored a combined 29 goals to make the pair one of the most prolific duos in the league. After promotion last season from League Two, it was unclear as to where Cambridge would aim but a solid campaign saw them easily reach a midtable spot and give them a good platform to build on for years to come with young manager Mark Bonner at the helm.
Top players
1. Wigan – Jack Whatmough
2. Rotherham – Michael Smith
3. MK Dons – Scott Twine
4. Sheffield Wednesday – Barry Bannan
5. Sunderland – Ross Stewart
6. Wycombe Wanderers – David Stockdale
7. Plymouth Argyle – Mike Cooper
8. Oxford United – Cameron Brannagan
9. Bolton Wanderers – Dapo Afolayan
10. Portsmouth – Sean Raggett
11. Ipswich Town – Wes Burns
12. Accrington Stanley – Sean McConville
13. Charlton Athletic – George Dobson
14. Cambridge United – Dimitar Mitov
15. Cheltenham Town – Alfie May
16. Burton Albion – John Brayford
17. Lincoln City – Anthony Scully
18. Shrewsbury Town – Daniel Udoh
19. Morecambe – Cole Stockton
20. Fleetwood Town – Paddy Lane
21. Gillingham – Jack Tucker
22. Doncaster Rovers – Josh Martin
23. AFC Wimbledon – Jack Rudoni
24. Crewe Alexandra – Tom Lowery
By Joshua Stewart
