Since COVID abruptly ended the 2019/20 season, dropping from the Championship to League One has become a tougher ride, writes Benn Whittle
From clubs being short of money, fierce competition, and strict Financial Fair Play rules, making bouncing back a nightmare. This year’s relegated trio, Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle, and Cardiff City, tumbled from the Championship after rough seasons. Can these teams finally smash through the post-COVID struggles, or will League One keep them trapped?
What led to Luton, Plymouth, and Cardiff’s drop to League One?
Despite a decent run in last year’s FA Cup, even beating eventual Premier League champions Liverpool, it’s safe to say last year’s Championship campaign was miserable for Plymouth Argyle, only managing 11 wins all season. There was a particular spotlight on their defence with a horrendous 37 goal difference and shipping multiple goals in too many matches. Under the leadership of Miron Muslić, fans were hopeful that this would be a short stop in League One; however, despite repeated comments of being committed to the club, Muslić has now joined Schalke 04 on a three-year deal. Now, Tom Cleverley has the job of rebuilding a shaken squad for what is a vital season for the trajectory of the club.
Two years ago, Luton Town was in dreamland, about to start their first season in the top flight since 1991/92. However, those dreams have turned into a nightmare at Kenilworth Road, as the club has faced back-to-back relegations following a difficult season that saw only 13 wins and a goal difference of –24. The team’s heavy reliance on loan players and those hoping to make it in the Premier League has left fans feeling discouraged. Now, with a second £40 million parachute payment, Luton will be hoping to invest significantly to build a strong squad that reflects the club’s recent success.
Cardiff City’s 2024/25 season was challenging, ending with just 9 wins and a disappointing total of 37 goals in 46 games. Financial difficulties have severely affected the club, and losing Wales captain Aaron Ramsey to Pumas in Mexico’s Liga MX was a significant setback. The new head coach, Brian Barry-Murphy, who arrived from Leicester, is seen as a risky choice for his first major managerial role. Many fans on X are expressing concerns about Barry-Murphy’s lack of experience, believing that a more seasoned League One manager would have been a better option to help the club promptly return to the Championship.
Parachute Payments Can Help
Relegated teams face reduced parachute payments and lower gate receipts due to fluctuating attendance figures. For instance, Luton, having been relegated from the Premier League, is expected to receive £40 million per season for the next two years, which gives them some financial flexibility. Last season, the average attendance in League One was 10,000, compared to 20,000 in the Championship. This significant difference will impact budgets and the ability to attract players, particularly for the three teams that were relegated.
Data from the EFL indicates that between the 2020/21 and 2024/25 seasons, only 30% of teams relegated from the Championship have managed to secure immediate promotion back in their first season. Before the COVID pandemic, nearly 50% of relegated teams were able to bounce back.
However, many clubs, including Wycombe and Barnsley, have continued to struggle, often finishing in mid-table or competing for play-off spots. Post-COVID financial constraints have also impacted League One teams, whose average revenue is around £10 million, which is only half that of Championship clubs. This situation has forced many teams to sell key players and rely on short-term loans to remain competitive. For example, since their relegation in the 2022/23 season, Reading has faced significant administration issues that have hampered their ability to purchase players for a rebuild.
Luton Town needs to build momentum and retain key players. They might consider following Birmingham’s example by heavily investing in their squad’s infrastructure to improve their chances. Luton could be in the best position to earn promotion back to the top tier. On the other hand, Plymouth and Cardiff are likely in more challenging situations. Plymouth may not have a large budget compared to other top sides in the league, while Cardiff is grappling with financial issues, having recently emerged from a transfer embargo and facing significant pre-tax losses. Chairman Mehmet Dalman has stated that the club is under no pressure to sell its best players.
While Huddersfield, Wycombe, and Bolton enter the season as strong favourites to be at the top end of the table, dark horses such as Leyton Orient, Stockport, and Peterborough will be determined to crash the top six party. With the relegated sides adding extra quality to an already competitive division, this race is on for what promises to be a wide-open League One campaign.
