League One for 2025 / 26 season

[colincramb]

I tell you what, with the exception of a few names on that list (Stevenage, Burton) it’s almost a mini championship league with some of the clubs in there. That’s before the final relegation place is confirmed from the championship and the final two from league 2.

Imagine if it was hull or derby and then Bradford and Notts County that finished the league promotion/relegation places and Wycombe were the L1 team that made it out via the playoffs, leaving charlton, Stockport and reading in the league.

That is some strong league and makes you think that just surviving next season would be a very good first year back.

[Nudga]

It's like the old Division 3 North. I know there's a couple of southern shandy drinking teams in there but ya know.

[Avsuptem]

I tell you what, with the exception of a few names on that list (Stevenage, Burton) it’s almost a mini championship league with some of the clubs in there. That’s before the final relegation place is confirmed from the championship and the final two from league 2.

Imagine if it was hull or derby and then Bradford and Notts County that finished the league promotion/relegation places and Wycombe were the L1 team that made it out via the playoffs, leaving charlton, Stockport and reading in the league.

That is some strong league and makes you think that just surviving next season would be a very good first year back.

Whereas much depends on who we can retain or sign for next season I believe the core of our squad is well up to League One standard and could well be competing for promotion next season given that we have Grant McCann as Manager.

[GazLaz]

I don’t think I’ve ever been to as many games as I have this season.

Partly because I’m now retired, partly because there have been a lot of away fixtures not too far from me (Barrow, Carlisle, Morecambe, Salford, Accrington etc) but mainly because I really believed we would get promoted this season and I wanted to be a part of that journey.

And I’ll be at Notts County next week to see us lift the Champions trophy.

But next season …. Oh my goodness, we have some amazing fixtures ahead.

I set out to go to every game as I thought we’d get promoted. Missed MK (a), Cheltenham (a), Swindon (a), Barrow (a), Accrington (a) and BRADFORD (h) in all comps. 49 games I think.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Yes, it's all looking very tasty. We've just got to capitalise on the momentum we've created.

Capturing as many of those less familiar faces in the crowd, especially the younger ones who now have their own hero's to worship in Bailey, Molyneaux, Olowu, Sterry, Broadbent and McGrath who can all  take us through this next chapter.

A couple more quality signings to get the tongues wagging will go along way to recreating those great atmospheres in the stadium. Can we surge to 10k average attendances with near sell outs more often? I'd love to think we can without relying on big away followings.

[Pancho Regan]

Yes, it's all looking very tasty. We've just got to capitalise on the momentum we've created.

Capturing as many of those less familiar faces in the crowd, especially the younger ones who now have their own hero's to worship in Bailey, Molyneaux, Olowu, Sterry, Broadbent and McGrath who can all  take us through this next chapter.

A couple more quality signings to get the tongues wagging will go along way to recreating those great atmospheres in the stadium. Can we surge to 10k average attendances with near sell outs more often? I'd love to think we can without relying on big away followings.

Well, for once we delivered on the big occasion in front of a bumper home crowd, so let's hope some of those new faces turn up again next season DBR.
We certainly finished the home season with a bang and sent everybody home happy.

[Nudga]

I wonder what the season ticket sales have been like this week,  especially with the deadline for cheaper prices ending?

[Draytonian III]

One that will come into play about being in League One is that more games will postponed because of International call ups because mainly due clubs having a lot more age group internationals and full internationals from smaller nations all over the world.

[pib]

Yes, it's all looking very tasty. We've just got to capitalise on the momentum we've created.

Capturing as many of those less familiar faces in the crowd, especially the younger ones who now have their own hero's to worship in Bailey, Molyneaux, Olowu, Sterry, Broadbent and McGrath who can all  take us through this next chapter.

A couple more quality signings to get the tongues wagging will go along way to recreating those great atmospheres in the stadium. Can we surge to 10k average attendances with near sell outs more often? I'd love to think we can without relying on big away followings.

The away gates will help though. We've gone from Bromley, Fleetwood, Cheltenham, Accrington, Harrogate, Fleetwood, Newport, Barnet, and Salford (unless they go up) all probably bringing no more than a few hundred, to the following lot who'll all fetch a couple of thousand at least you would've thought: Bolton, Huddersfield, Lincoln, Barnsley, Rotherham, Mansfield, maybe Bradford/Notts County, and possibly one of Hull/Derby/Preston/Stoke.

The boost to the atmosphere/occasion of home games like this should add more to the experience and persuade more home fans to attend as well.

[AmericanRover]

I think Rovers will have some fans next season that they did not have this season just simply due to facing better competition and/or clubs we have not seen for awhile.  Regardless though, it is a bright time for the club and I think next season will be very exciting.

Will there be a lot of ups and downs? Sure. But if we get the transfer window right, see no reason we can't make a good account of ourselves.

I mean for instance, look at Orient this season. Right there in the playoffs and I thought they would be awful, same with Reading.

[Chris Black come back]

For the 24 team League One next season, we currently have over half (15) definitely and *mathematically* confirmed:

Doncaster Rovers
Bolton
Cardiff
Huddersfield
Blackpool
Port Vale
Lincoln
Barnsley
Rotherham
Stevenage
Wigan
Exeter
Peterborough
Northampton
Mansfield

Now 16, with Burton Albion confirmed as being in League One next season.

Last season in League One, Burton Albion had a total wage and salary bill of £5.3m. Will have been higher this season. Are we going to be laying out £6m next season? Seems unlikely.

[MachoMadness]

Stories coming out that Hull players have been paid late this week. Not ideal ahead of their biggest game of the season, will be odds on to drop down surely.

[Plumbster]

Not an expert but £6m in wages should be doable. The average income in L1 is £10m v £5m in L2, so even if Terry doesn’t supplement the budget you would hope we could afford at least £6m. That said I suspect that sort of wage level would be one of the lowest in the league which shows the size of the challenge.

[graingrover]

A commentator said during our game with Bradford that there was not another league anywhere that could stage such a well-attended match as that , at level FOUR .Well ,next season's average  attendances may set an EFL record for level THREE!

According to AI . The record was set in the 2022–23 season, with an average of 10,613 spectators per game.

[Barmby Rover]

Money is the big decider, and what happens in the boardroom is as vital for future seasons as the manager and players. TB needs help and a younger partner who has real commitment to Rovers, he is not getting any younger and without good backing GM will not be able to compete, get it and GM will "do a Wrexham".

[Pancho Regan]

If Hull lose on Saturday, Grant will be facing his two former clubs (Hull & Peterborough) on level terms next season.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Money is the big decider, and what happens in the boardroom is as vital for future seasons as the manager and players. TB needs help and a younger partner who has real commitment to Rovers, he is not getting any younger and without good backing GM will not be able to compete, get it and GM will "do a Wrexham".

TB spelled it out at the Meet the Owners, he doesn't need or want a partner.

[TonySoprano]

Money is the big decider, and what happens in the boardroom is as vital for future seasons as the manager and players. TB needs help and a younger partner who has real commitment to Rovers, he is not getting any younger and without good backing GM will not be able to compete, get it and GM will "do a Wrexham".

TB spelled it out at the Meet the Owners, he doesn't need or want a partner.

It would make succession alot smoother.
The question of what happens when TB is no longer around hasn't been answered.

[Fal]

Money is the big decider, and what happens in the boardroom is as vital for future seasons as the manager and players. TB needs help and a younger partner who has real commitment to Rovers, he is not getting any younger and without good backing GM will not be able to compete, get it and GM will "do a Wrexham".

TB spelled it out at the Meet the Owners, he doesn't need or want a partner.

It would make succession alot smoother.
The question of what happens when TB is no longer around hasn't been answered.

Im sure its been mentioned in various meet the owners that they have a plan in place for when that inevitably happens, what that is i can't recall (may not have even been released)

[drfchound]

Money is the big decider, and what happens in the boardroom is as vital for future seasons as the manager and players. TB needs help and a younger partner who has real commitment to Rovers, he is not getting any younger and without good backing GM will not be able to compete, get it and GM will "do a Wrexham".

TB spelled it out at the Meet the Owners, he doesn't need or want a partner.

It would make succession alot smoother.
The question of what happens when TB is no longer around hasn't been answered.

I think it will have been discussed and a plan of succession will be in place.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Money is the big decider, and what happens in the boardroom is as vital for future seasons as the manager and players. TB needs help and a younger partner who has real commitment to Rovers, he is not getting any younger and without good backing GM will not be able to compete, get it and GM will "do a Wrexham".

TB spelled it out at the Meet the Owners, he doesn't need or want a partner.

It would make succession alot smoother.
The question of what happens when TB is no longer around hasn't been answered.

TB answered that specific question. His answer may not have been as specific or detailed as you might want but, who can say where any of us will be in 5, 10 or 15 years time etc. The 'value' of our club may be alot different. The market of people wanting to invest in football clubs may also be alot different. Will the Americans and Arabs still be around in 15 years?

Enjoy the now and we'll cross the bridge when we come to it.

[Ian Nimmo]

I agree, from his comments at the meet the owners, he clearly doesn’t want a partner, but looking for someone reliable to take charge of the club.
He was intimating there would be a limited choice if the club remained in L2, and that was his one of his main reasons for the uplift in investment he was proposing.

Very logical when you consider the loss last year was accounted at 3m.
Seems to me that he wants to be in total control of the situation, can’t remember his actual words but think he mentioned something like in the next 3 years, which again probably means he will be prepared to offer funds so that we don’t come straight back down.
Already Grant is saying we need to be aiming for top end next season, thus it looks certain that there is a plan in place for transition.

[Pintolager]

I don't know too much about this but I see Reading could face expulsion from the league if they don't find a buyer by next Monday (May5th).

I hope they survive, but there could be only 23  clubs in league 1 next season?

[Plumbster]

Could be wrong but my take from the Meet the owners was that Terry wasn’t looking for a partner at that time because the value of the club was rock bottom and he felt that by taking on the chairman role he could help ensure the club was at least punching its weight, on and off the pitch, when the time came to talking to new investors or potential owners. Whilst promotion means his plan is on track I don’t think it means the question of succession is resolved, it just means the club is now a more attractive proposition.  We don’t know of course whether there has been any firm interest from potential investors in the meantime but we can only applaud Terry’s incredible support and wise stewardship.

[Avsuptem]

I would hope and expect that there is a plan in place but making it public knowledge would not necessarily be helpful.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

https://youtu.be/9Y0N17BaMTo?si=gaoh4F-1EtnRY_mj

Fast forward to 40 mins. He answers the two part question from Joshua.

He talks about growing the club, which ultimately means increased participation with Club Doncaster, ultimately higher attendances for the football team, more income etc.

I'm sure he'll be greatly heartened by the success this season and the attendances which have improved by comparison to those in most folks living memory for the 4th tier. Hopefully we can build on this now.

Also. 20 mins in when the new training facility is discussed. TB says he hopes it will endure until we get into the Championship.

I'm sure he'll love us to achieve that under his tenure but it's got to be done organically, in partnership, by growing the club.

[Chris Black come back]

For the 24 team League One next season, we currently have over half (15) definitely and *mathematically* confirmed:

Doncaster Rovers
Bolton
Cardiff
Huddersfield
Blackpool
Port Vale
Lincoln
Barnsley
Rotherham
Stevenage
Wigan
Exeter
Peterborough
Northampton
Mansfield

Now 16, with Burton Albion confirmed as being in League One next season.

With only the League One and League Two play offs left to go, we have an almost full picture of League One next season:

Barnsley
Blackpool
Bolton Wanderers
Bradford City
Burton Albion
Cardiff City
Doncaster Rovers
Exeter City
Huddersfield Town
Lincoln City
Luton Town
Mansfield Town
Northampton Town
Peterborough United
Plymouth Argyle
Port Vale
Reading
Rotherham United
Stevenage
Wigan Athletic

[DonnyOsmond]

I reckon 13 of 19 are within 2 hours drive of Doncaster.

[les@donr]

Renewed hostilities with the Dingles.

[Nudga]

Plenty of 10k crowds and a few at potential 13k plus.

Maybe the club should think about sorting those broken seats out to maximise revenue.