League Two 2025/26 Review: Bromley’s Historic Title Win And Notts County’s Wembley Miracle

The 2025/26 EFL League Two campaign has drawn to a close, leaving behind a trail of historic triumphs, heartbreaking relegations, and a play-off final that will live long in the memory. From Bromley’s meteoric rise to the title to Notts County’s dominant display under the Wembley arch, the fourth tier proved once again that it is the most competitive and unpredictable division in English football.

Here is the review of a season that saw 1,404 goals scored and three clubs join the ranks of League One.

The Champions: Bromley’s Historic Rise

In a season defined by consistency, Bromley stood above the rest. The Ravens captured their first-ever League Two title, finishing on 87 points. Under the guidance of Manager of the Season Andy Woodman, Bromley combined a resilient defence with a lethal attack, going on a stunning 21-game unbeaten run that set the tone for their promotion.

It was a masterclass in modern lower-league management, with centre-back Omar Sowunmi anchoring the side and securing the WhoScored Player of the Season award for his dominant displays. For the Bromley faithful, this title marks a historic landmark in the club’s history, signalling their arrival as a force to be reckoned with.

Joining Bromley in League One are Milton Keynes Dons (86 points) and Cambridge United (82 points), who secured the second and third automatic promotion spots respectively after gruelling campaigns.

The Play-Offs: Notts County’s Wembley Masterclass

The play-off route to promotion is notoriously cruel, but Notts County made it look like a formality. After finishing fifth in the regular season (80 points), the Magpies navigated a tight semi-final against Chesterfield before heading to Wembley.

In the final, Notts County produced arguably the performance of their season against Salford City. In front of over 30,000 fans, the Magpies were ruthless. Alassana Jatta opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, Lucas Ness doubled the lead just before the break, and Jodi Jones wrapped up a dominant 3-0 victory in the 70th minute. It was a complete performance that confirmed Notts County’s return to the third tier and capped off a year where they proved to be one of the most exciting attacking sides in the division.

The Relegation Heartbreak

At the bottom of the table, the season ended in despair for two historic clubs. Despite a fight to the final day, Harrogate Town (39 points) and Barrow (36 points) were unable to bridge the gap to safety.

Harrogate, in particular, will look back on a disastrous 20-match winless run that ultimately sealed their fate, while Barrow struggled to find the necessary consistency to keep pace with the rest of the league. Both clubs will now prepare for life in the National League, hoping to emulate the path of teams like Barnet and Oldham, who successfully navigated their return to the EFL this term.

The Managerial Merry-Go-Round

One of the defining narratives of the 2025/26 season was the incredible volatility in the dugout. A staggering number of managerial changes occurred across the division, highlighting the pressure to perform in League Two.

From Steve Cotterill taking over at Cheltenham Town in September to the late-season arrivals of figures like Christian Fuchs at Newport County and Colin Kazim-Richards at Crawley Town, clubs were not afraid to pull the trigger. The constant turnover kept the league’s dynamics shifting, with the “new manager bounce” playing a massive role in the final standings.

Individual Excellence

The statistical leaders of the season reflect the high quality of play throughout the division:

Key Takeaways:

• Drinan’s Brilliance: Swindon’s Aaron Drinan was the standout forward, hitting 22 goals to secure the Golden Boot.
• Oldham’s Defensive Rock: Mathew Hudson’s 19 clean sheets provided a platform for Oldham’s 10th-place finish.
• Attendance Records: The league continued to draw massive crowds, with MK Dons’ home game against Harrogate Town attracting 23,465 fans, a testament to the health and growth of the division.

As the curtain falls, the narrative is already shifting. Bromley, MK Dons, Cambridge, and Notts County now head into League One with confidence, while the rest of the division looks to reset. League Two remains a unique beast, one that rewards bravery, punishes inconsistency, and never fails to deliver a dramatic finale.