We looked at who’s coming down from the Championship, so now let’s see who’s coming up at the end of the League Two 2024-5 season. First thing we immediately spot straight off the bat with two to play is how much of the matters will be decided in house. What do we mean by that? Well, a lot of the top seven still have to play each other. It’ll affect who comes up in the automatic places and who plays who in the playoffs.
Exciting.
If you like that sort of thing.
League Two 2024-5 promotion: Runners and riders
1. Doncaster Rovers – P44, Pts 78
First, dear reader, you’ll need to come to terms with something. League One is about to get much more northern. Heading the pack at the moment are Doncaster “Donny” Rovers, who get their nickname due to their close association with The Osmonds*. It’ll take a real failure to miss out on the automatics, with Walsall four points back and six left to play for. But the South Yorkshire side do not have it easy. Look at those two fixtures still to play!
*Not true.
Still to play:
Bradford City (3rd, H); Notts County (6th, A)
2. Port Vale – P44, Pts 77
South Yorkshire above them, West Yorkshire below them; Port Vale will almost certainly be beneficiaries of the fact Donny still have to play Bradford City. One – or both of them – will drop points. Port Vale are, therefore, probably one point away from clinching promotion. It won’t help them that AFC Wimbledon host them next, given the Dons are not yet certain of playoff action. But a final day showdown against Gillingham indoors is a big help.
Still to play:
AFC Wimbledon (5th, A); Gillingham (17th, H)
3. Bradford City – P44, Pts 75
The Bantams are in the most precarious position of the top three in that two teams below them can still overtake them; Walsall a point behind them and AFC Wimbledon needing to make up four. The Dons need to beat Port Vale to have any chance of staying in the hunt – which puts the pressure on the Bantams away to Donny. Anyway, you’d think it was about time the West Yorkshire side made good on their bigger resources.
Still to play:
Doncaster Rovers (1st, A); Fleetwood Town (15th, H)
4. Walsall – P44, Pts 74
Oh, Walsall. You’re a dreadfully mediocre place to visit – but at least you’re further south in comparison to the current top three. The Saddlers landed in 2025 with a tasty 12-point lead at the top of the tree. They were still up there at the start of April. But they’ve only secured two points from a possible 12 since. The way the final two fixtures land may give them hope of squeezing back into the top three. The way they’ve played, however, may not…
Still to play:
Accrington Stanley (21st, H); Crewe Alexandra (11th, A)
5. AFC Wimbledon – P44, Pts 70
The Dons are almost there in terms of securing a playoff place. If they beat second-placed Port Vale next up, they’ll definitely be in the final reckoning. Mind you, it needs three other teams to win both of their final games to have any chance of edging the Dons out.
Still to play:
Port Vale (2nd, H); Grimsby Town (7th, A)
6. Notts County – P44, Pts 69
Three teams outside of the top seven can still end Notts County’s dreams of a playoff place – however unlikely that may still be. Then again, the Magpies travel to Harrogate Town in their final away day of term. And we can’t see there being a shock on the cards there. So, we’re of the opinion the World’s Oldest Football League Club (Once Removed)* will have their spot in the top seven cemented by the time current leaders Donny arrive on the final day.
Still to play:
Harrogate Town (19th, A); Doncaster Rovers (1st, H)
7. Grimsby Town – P44, Pts 67
Don’t quote us on this, but the most significant movement over the Easter weekend was the Mariners overtaking Colchester United to occupy the final playoff place. And they did it with a draw as the Us lost. Trust us, there seems to be a theme here of clubs at the top of League Two not wanting to get promoted. Yes, it’s always great to have points on the board. But the final two fixtures for them absolutely reek of ruining their promotion dreams.
Still to play:
Bradford City (3rd, H); Notts County (6th, A)
8. Colchester United – P44, Pts 66
So, based on remaining fixtures alone, the Us ought to fancy their chances – right? Grimsby play a Bradford team looking to secure automatic promotion and a Notts County team who still need to wrap up their playoff place. Yet, Salford City away is tricksy to say the least; the Ammies still have an outside chance of the top seven. And what if Notts County are already assured of a playoff place on the final day? Barrow indoors for the Us? Potential curveball.
Whatever happens for the Us this season, they should be commended for engineering their shot at the playoffs. They were 16th at the turn of the year.
Still to play:
Salford City (9th, A); Barrow (14th, H)
Any others?
The Easter weekend did throw up some results that mean Salford City and Chesterfield both retain outside hopes of gatecrashing the top seven. The Spireites play Morecambe at home, followed by Accrington away; both of whom are down the wrong end of the table. Two wins are needed, and two wins are – well – likely. Colchester away could end the Ammies’ hopes, but a final day home game against Carlisle will be delightful if they’re still in the mix.
League Two 2024-5: Who do we think are coming up?
Automatic? No change in the current top three for us, Clive: Donny, Port Vale, and Bradford.
Playoffs? No team seems to have momentum, so who knows. Probably bloody Notts County.
