The Real Thing

Sunderland proved the worth of a good manager and faith in him when times are hard. When they were relegated 2 years ago they went down a very sorry state. But after a very consistent season and a real push after a run of 8 consecutive wins they secured promotion this weekend with a home win over Leicester after Ipswich were held by Leeds.

With 2 games to go Wigan look favourites but have tough games left against play-off challengers Preston and Reading. Ipswich 2 points behind with a worse goal difference play equally tough games against relegation threatened Crewe and Brighton.

Preston, Derby, Reading, West Ham and Sheffield United will contest the remaining 3 play-off places.

At the bottom Rotherham are down and Forest hang by a thread. 7 teams are seperated by 3 points above those two in an exciting battle. My tip were Cardiff but they had a massive result today beating Reading at Ninian Park. Watch out for Crewe who have not won since they sold Dean Ashton 19 games ago.

Luton have been crowned League One Champions and Mike Newell chosen in a fan poll two seasons ago has done a marvellous job at Kenilworth Road as they deservedly head back to the Championship. Hull City will taste 2nd tier football for the first time in almost 30 years after already securing 2nd place. With crowds of 20,000+ look for their play-off challenge next season in the Championship.

Tranmere Rovers are assured of a play-off place but Hartlepool, Sheffield Wednesday, Bournemouth, Bristol City, Doncaster and Huddersfield compete for the other three.

At the bottom of League One Stockport said farewell a long while back and Peterborough joined them today despite winning at Bournemouth. Club owner Barry Fry who will now give up management said last week: "I have made some bad decisions and played the wrong players and the wrong tactics this season - but I am going soon."

Wrexham who suffered a 10 point deduction for going into administration have 4 games in 2 weeks to stay in the division. MK Dons with Danny Wilson now at the helm have had a tough end to the season and Franchise FC look like slipping another division after leaving South London last year.

Torquay and Oldham are the only 2 other sides that can be caught.

League two (Div 4 really) has the most exciting finish with anyone of 6 sides still in with a shout of winning the title let alone going up. Play-off hopefuls go as far down as Rochdale in 10th. The big game is on Saturday when Southend entertain Yeovil at Roots Hall. Go on you Sarfend!

Poor old Cambridge have said goodbye to league football after 35 years. The fans weren't happy staging a sit down protest after the deciding home draw against Rochdale. It's all a long way off from John Beck's route one football with Dion Dublin and Steve Claridge up front. That team were a game away from being founder members of the Premiership losing in the play-offs.

The usual financial turmoil exists and the U's recently sold their ground to fix a cash-flow problem, but are having difficulty enforcing a claimed buy-back deal. To raise money the club plans a summer concert at the Abbey Stadium with Lemar, Girls Aloud, Lulu and Tony Christie all set to play!

Kidderminster need a couple of cricket scores to maintain their 11 year league status. They have a 21 goal worst goal difference than Rushden & Diamonds. They start with Grimsby at home on Saturday.

Barnet have won the Conference and they will be joined by the winner of the play-offs. Barnet will go up but have been told by the Football League to replace their famous slope within 3 years. Work will mean changing the face of Underhill, judged unsuitable for redevelopment because of its protected Green Belt status.

Ex League clubs Hereford and Carlisle will be joined by Stevenage and Aldershot in the play-offs which start on May 2nd. Personally I would to see The Shots make it. The first game I ever saw was at The Rec and I used to work with a bloke who was instrumental in their re-birth in 1992.