Country | England |
Season | 2023 |
League Two, also known as Sky Bet League Two for sponsorship reasons, is the third-highest division of the English Football League (EFL) and the fourth tier in the overall English football league system. The league was established in 2004 following the rebranding of the Football League, which was originally founded in 1888. Prior to 2004, it was known as the Football League Third Division.
League Two is a professional league, consisting of 24 teams from across England and Wales. The season runs from August to May, with each team playing 46 games, both home and away against every other team. The matches are mainly held on Saturday afternoons, with occasional games on weekday evenings.
Promotion from League Two offers teams the opportunity to enter League One, the next tier in the English football league system. The top three teams at the end of the season are automatically promoted, while the teams finishing in the fourth to seventh positions compete in the League Two play-offs, a knockout competition, for the final promotion spot.
Relegation from League Two, on the other hand, leads to the National League, the fifth tier of English football. The two teams finishing at the bottom of the League Two table are relegated at the end of the season.
League Two is known for its competitive nature, with teams often fluctuating between divisions. It has been the starting point for many players who have gone on to have successful careers at higher levels. The league is also recognised for its commitment to developing homegrown talent, with clubs often operating successful youth academies.
Over the years, League Two has seen a variety of champions, with teams such as Swindon Town, Chesterfield, and Portsmouth among those who have won the title. The league has also been the platform for historic moments in English football, including AFC Wimbledon's rise from the ashes of the old Wimbledon FC to the EFL, and Accrington Stanley's return to the Football League after a 44-year absence.
Despite being lower in the hierarchy of English football, League Two continues to attract a dedicated fan base. The league's clubs are often at the heart of their communities, with generations of families supporting their local team. The passion, commitment, and unpredictability of League Two make it a unique and exciting part of the English football landscape.
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