Bristol City must end 45-year issue in 2025/26, but Wrexham will be even more desperate for Championship success

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Bristol City have an unwanted record heading into the 2025/26 Championship that Wrexham will also be hoping to end.

Bristol City enjoyed an impressive season in the Championship this term, but fell at the final hurdle during their play-off campaign.

Liam Manning’s side secured sixth place on the final day to set up a play-off double header against high-flying Sheffield United.

Chris Wilder’s Blades beat Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate over the two legs to condemn the Ashton Gate outfit to another season in the second tier, continuing their longstanding absence from the top flight of English football.

With Manning closing on a Norwich City switch, it is unclear which manager will be in the Bristol City dugout next season. Whoever the head coach is, they must end the club’s glaring 45-year issue.

• READ MORE: Three Bristol City players that could follow Liam Manning to Norwich City ahead of becoming their new manager

Bristol City will want to end their 45-year absence from the Premier League

Manning has worked wonders at Bristol City, despite being humbled by the Blades, in his 85-game stint as Robins boss.

Premier League promotion was not to be for Bristol City this season, which has continued the club’s agonising 45-year absence from the top flight of English football.

Of all 24 sides set to battle it out in the Championship next season, the Robins possess one of the longest absences from the Premier League, with the last time Bristol City featured in the top flight coming in the 1979/80 campaign.

In the 79/80 Division One season, the Robins won only nine of their 42 outings, which saw them relegated in 20th-place.

Similarly, Millwall and Oxford United have waited decades for top flight football, with Millwall’s last top flight stint coming in the 1988/89 campaign, and Oxford’s coming in the 1987/88 season.

Out of next season’s second tier sides, who played in the Championship this season, only Preston North End have waited longer to taste top flight football.

Preston last played in the top tier of English football during the 1960/61 season, with their relegation-threatened campaign just gone, continuing their 64-year stint out of the Premier League.

Aside from Bristol City and Preston, it is newly-promoted Wrexham that are the odd club out in the Championship next season.

• READ MORE: Wrexham must look to bring 23-cap Wales international home, he’s now a free agent

Wrexham will be even more desperate for Championship success than Bristol City

It is newly-promoted Wrexham that now holds the longest absence from the top tier of English football, as the Hollywood-backed club have never played in the English top flight in their 161-year history.

Wrexham’s summer recruitment drive ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season will be imperative as they hunt for successive promotions and create club history in the process.

The club have already lodged interest in Aaron Cresswell, and are battling it out with Birmingham City for seasoned Premier League goalscorer Danny Ings.

Head coach Phil Parkinson’s Championship record will be a major concern for Wrexham supporters heading into the second tier season, with the seasoned Football League boss having won just 26 of his 141 Championship matches in charge.