A Look @ Relegation

In Saturdays edition of The Quaker, Kev Luff took a look at previous league clubs who have been relegated from the football league.  He looks at what they did when they were relegated and where they are now.  Kev has kindly agreed to his article being published on Uncovered as we felt it was deserving of a wider audience.

Programme Piece - 15th March 2010

With relegation unfortunately edging a little closer maybe its time to try and find some inspiration for next season. There are of course plenty of teams who have come back from the non-league. I've taken a look at teams' fortunes who have relegated to the Conference over the last ten years or so.

1998: Doncaster - Rovers are of course the benchmark for any team getting relegated from the Football League. Their revival has been nothing short of staggering. Mastermind of course by our former manager Dave Penney they repeated what we managed to do some years earlier and raced through the division above to eventually reach their current standing today. They replaced the battered old Belle Vue ground with their new stadium and have established themselves in the top division of the Football League. However even all of this took several years of graft in the non-league before it came about.

1999: Scarborough - Finishing bottom of the Football League at the end of the 1998/99 season Scarborough failed to win promotion at the first attempt and finished fourth in their first season back in the Conference. They struggled to mount a serious promotion push afterwards. A struggling 2001/02 season saw them appoint Russell Slade to some success and eventually went on to enjoy an FA Cup tie with Chelsea during the 2003/04 season. Despite finishing bottom of the table in 2005/06, Scarborough were not initially relegated, as Canvey Island resigned from the league and Altrincham were deducted 18 points for fielding an ineligible player, meaning that they occupied bottom position instead. However the Conference were not convinced of the club's financial stability, and Scarborough ended up suffering the same fate as Northwich Victoria had the previous year by being relegated to the Conference North. Scarborough were eventually wound-up at the end of the 2006/07 season. The club's failure to convince the Borough council over its ground proposals and a convent on the old stadium land eventually killed off their hopes of clearing their debts.

2000: Chester City - After four years in the Conference Chester won the title, in 2004, to return to the league. However worse was the follow for them.

2001: Barnet - The Bees spent four seasons in the Conference before winning promotion as champions in 2005. Since their return to the league, despite finishing in the lower reaches Barnet have been pretty comfortable in the Football League.

2002: Halifax - The Shaymen eventually went the same way as Scarborough. They entered administration during the 2007/08 season and were demoted three divisions to the Unibond First Division North. However when they failed to agree a CVA they were reformed as FC Halifax Town. They missed out on promotion at the end of the 2008/09 season but are currently one point and one place behind league leaders Lancaster City. With games in hand on the teams behind them they have a good chance of promotion.

2003: Exeter City and Shrewsbury Town - Exeter spent five years in the Conference before winning promotion via the Conference play-off final at the end of the 2007/08 season. The Grecians finished as Runners up in League Two last season and are currently battling to stay up in League One this term. Shrewsbury meanwhile became the first club since ourselves to return from the Conference at the first time of asking. Still of course in League Two but pushing for a play-off place this term.

2004: Carlisle United and York City - Carlisle returned at the first attempt and, in their second season back in the Football League, won promotion to League One. York City meanwhile are still in the Conference. Despite flirting with relegation they are still there. The Minstermen came close to a return during the 2006/07 season however when they made the play-offs. Unfortunately they were beaten by Morecambe in the semi-finals. Currently just outside of the play-offs again this term.

2005: Kidderminster Harriers and Cambridge United - Kidderminster Harriers are still in the Conference but narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season. Cambridge United meanwhile made it, finishing second in the division just two points behind Burton Albion. They made the play-off finals but were beaten by Torquay United. It was a cruel blow having lost the season before in the play-off finals against Exeter City. Currently well off the pace this season.

2006: Oxford United and Rushden & Diamonds - Oxford United lost in the play-off semi-finals in 2007 to Exeter City (Exeter were eventually beaten by Morecambe in the final but of course went up the following season). This season Oxford United are not far behind leaders Steveange. Rushden meanwhile are in the hunt for promotion as well as they currently occupy a play-off place.

2007: Boston United and Torquay United - Boston were demoted to Conference North because of financial problems and are now in Northern Premier League. Torquay United meanwhile lost in the 2007/08 play-offs semi-finals but won promotion last term via the play-offs. They are currently struggling in League Two but will probably stay up.

2008: Mansfield Town and Wrexham - Both sat in mid-table at the moment and appear set for a similar finish to what they managed last season.

2009: Luton Town and Chester City - Despite been tipped by some to run away with it Luton are having to fight it out. Currently sat in third place but have as good a chance as anyone else. Chester meanwhile have gone the way of Halifax and Scarborough. Mounting money problems eventually saw them kicked out the league and they were wound up a couple of weeks ago. In truth however it is probably for the best as it means Chester fans can finally get rid of Steven Vaughan.

Kevin Luff

www.twitter.com/kevinluff

Comments

Add your own in our forum

tupling's barber - 23rd March 2010 21:22:33

uncovered wrote:Darlo fan, webmaster for the official website and Loidland Website. Kev Luff looks at relegated teams.

http://www.darlofc.co.uk/news.php?NewsID=211

Good work Kev ,but is the timeframe you've set for the piece so narrow as to avoid mentioning that teams like tonights opponents,Aldershot, took 17 years to get back in the League?