Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
While we’re all focusing on the success of Birmingham City and Wrexham this year, it’s worth noting that another club in League One are doing incredible things without spending big money.
Just like the Championship, the race for promotion in League One has been a fascinating one to watch this season.
Birmingham stormed to the title in record-breaking fashion, while Wrexham joined them in automatic promotion after a fierce battle with Wycombe Wanderers for second place.
That promotion was Wrexham’s third-successive rise through the EFL, something no club has ever done at this level.
However, as the Red Dragons are lavished with praise for their admittedly very special success, it’s worth remembering that the League One play-offs could still deliver an equally impressive story for another club.
- READ MORE: Birmingham City troll Wrexham with hilarious points tally jibe after smashing the EFL record
Dave Challinor could take Stockport County to second tier for first time since 2001
Despite many believing the League One promotion battle to be a two-horse race between Wrexham and Wycombe, it is Stockport County who were able to sneak into third place come the end of the season.
Dave Challinor will now lead his side into the play-offs looking to make it to the Championship, a level Stockport haven’t played at since way back in the 2000/01 season.
It’s yet another season of success for Challinor, who hasn’t finished lower than a play-off spot in the last 14 years.
| Pos | Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Birmingham | 46 | 34 | 9 | 3 | 84 | 31 | 53 | 111 |
| 2 | Wrexham | 46 | 27 | 11 | 8 | 67 | 34 | 33 | 92 |
| 3 | Stockport | 46 | 25 | 12 | 9 | 72 | 42 | 30 | 87 |
| 4 | Charlton | 46 | 25 | 10 | 11 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 85 |
| 5 | Wycombe | 46 | 24 | 12 | 10 | 70 | 45 | 25 | 84 |
| 6 | Leyton Orient | 46 | 24 | 6 | 16 | 72 | 48 | 24 | 78 |
Given the form Stockport are in right now — they’re unbeaten in the last eight with seven wins and one draw — you wouldn’t bet against them to go all the way in the play-offs.
Stockport face Leyton Orient in the semi-final later this week, a team on a seven-match unbeaten run. One thing’s for sure, we’re in for a cracker of a tie either way.
- READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield slams Luton Town players after suffering ‘painful’ relegation to League One
Stockport County success comes at a fraction of Wrexham’s cost
So, what’s so special about Stockport County? Well, just like Wrexham, they have risen up the footballing ladder rapidly over the last few years.
In fact, they only escaped the National League in 2021, when they beat Wrexham to the league title. They then spent a season in League Two, before besting Wrexham once again last term to clinch another league title.
Wrexham may have the back-to-back-to-back promotions to boast about, but if Stockport were to go up this year, that would be three promotions in four years for them.
And, considering Wrexham’s success does have the Hollywood tax to consider thanks to owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, there is a case to be made for Stockport County’s achievements being all the more impressive.
This season alone, Wrexham spent roughly £4.25m on transfers while Stockport spent around £383,000. That’s without even taking into consideration the wage bill at Wrexham.
Wrexham’s story may be an exciting one, but let’s not pretend they are underdogs in any capacity, least of all when you compare them to a team like Stockport.