The 92. League One. Flashcards
Burton Albion
Nickname - The Brewers.
Location - NE of Birmingham. SE of Derby and Nottingham.
Ground - Princess Way. Symmetrical ground, Main stand slightly larger, 15-deep and covered, others smaller. Yellow and black seating. 47% of 6,912.
Manager - [Mark Robinson AFC Wimbledon] Martin Paterson. Dec’23. Former Burnley and NI striker. coached in America (Inter Miami) before joining HC Michael Duff as his assistant at first Barnsley in League One and then Swansea City in the championship.
Owner - Nordic Football Group. Ben Robinson (Honourer Chairman), Ben Robinson junior (Club operations and Fleur Robinson (CEO from Wrexham).
[Self-made millionaire. Black American GI father. Burcher boy as a young boy. Insurance business built from scratch. Personally turns off the lights at the Pirelli Stadium.
Last years - 6 years L1, 2 before championship, then 6 years L2 and NL (2010).
“I have developed my coaching over several years and have extensive experience of being an assistant coach at first team level. I am ready to take this step and make the natural transition to manager.”
“We love Burton’s underdog story. We feel it is unique - coming from non-league to climb the divisions against all odds through stable leadership and financial sustainability, while maintaining its strong local connections.”
NTT20 19th. Everything you thought you knew about this team and club, tear it up. Ben Robinson out as builder. Prudent owner. Nordic Football Group. Built am entire new squad. First step in a new Burton Albion. Too much too soon. Lots of goals this season. Fascinating.
Shrewsbury Town
Nickname - The Shrews.
Location - West England, Welsh border, W of Birmingham. Far S of Liverpool and Manchester. Population 75k. Shropshire, beating heart of.
Ground - New Meadow. Perfect 4 separate stands. Team colours seating. 2,500 each stand. Training pitches next to it. Perfectly laid out and apportioned. 63% of 9,875.
Manager - Paul Hurst. Second spell. First hugely successful, earning move to Ipswich. Grimbsy twice. Player - Rotherham 438 appearances.
Owner - Roland Wycherley. MD of Montgomery Waters and Tufin’s, stadium and shirt sponsors. 80yo. 25 years as chairman.
Last years - L1 to 2012. 1 year NL in 2004.
“He wants to hand the ownership of the football club to somebody who has local values, understands Shrewsbury and wants to build on the solid foundations it has. This has slowed down progress on new ownership on occasion.”
NTT20 23rd. Attacking poor last year outside of set pieces. Hurst not much to work with. Replacement poor for players that have left. Tommy really Little Foden. Circling the drain at L1 level for a while not, does it last?
Cambridge United
Nickname - The U’s.
Location - Standalone. Centre E of England. Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester to E. MK, Peterborough also.
Ground - Abbey Stadium. Tidy, older, grey and yellow. 70% of 8,127.
Manager - Gary Monk. Swansea PL, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Wednesday. Took break in 2020. Tired of rug pulled. CU offers stability.
Owner - Paul Berry. London, New York. Travel agent, fortune. 2005 board, millions invested. Glasses, portly. 6 visits. watches from Seattle. Mother, 86 season ticket holder. Community outreach.
Last years - L1 3 years, 7 before L2, 10 before NL.
“£3.5m training facility”.
“Club associated with Mark Bonner for a long time (4 years).
NTT20 21st. 2/15 wins end of last season. Weak core plus less than eye catching additions. Level of squad not good enough and Monk not good enough to elevate. Gravity relegations.
Reading FC
Nickname - The Royals.
Location - Immediately to W of London.
Ground - Majestski Stadium. Uniform 2/3 Stadium of Light in royal blue. Aesthetically pleasing stadium. 55% of 24,161.
Manager - Ruben Seles. Spanish. University of Valencia 25-years old. Southampton. Reading FC.
Owner - Dai Yongge. Chinese shopping centre tycoon. Fatally unpopular.
Last years - L1 23-24. Prior 15 CH.
“If we stay under the ownership of Dai Yongge, the club will die”
“The club stumbles on.”
“Recent seasons have been disappointing, depressing and even downright bizarre, but never before have we had one quite so existentially terrifying.”
NTT20 17th. Looks like a change of ownership. Until happens a huge concern. Have not signed a player. Ruben Seles one of best managers in entire league. Incredible to watch. Type of football and record.
Charlton Athletic
Nickname - The Addicts / Valiants.
Location - SE London.
Ground - The Valley. 3 large, 1 Slights smaller. Perfectly proportional. ‘Proper stadium’. Smaller St. James Park. 58% of 27,111.
Manager - Nathan Jones. Charlton u21’s, Luton Town, Southampton pre-Charlton. Brighton / Player.
Owner - Global Football Partners. 7 shareholders with 5%+ each. US, Singapore, Methevan. Purchased from Thomas Sandgaard.
Last years - L1 4 years, CH 1 year, L1 3 years, CH 3 years.
“The Addicks finished this season 16th in League One, and the Welshman has explained that he wants to return the club to the second tier as soon as he can.
If he is to achieve promotion to the Championship, he will need a much stronger starting eleven than he had available during his 14 games in charge at the end of this season.”
Bristol Rovers
Nickname - The Pirates. The Gas.
Location - W of Swindon. S of Gloucester. E of Wales / Welsh border.
Ground - Memorial Stadium. Short main stand with terrace beneath, Cricket pavilion + Blue/white fete. Half a terrace ‘Covered?’ behind, Full medium straight behind other. Odds and ends/Cricket. 55% of 12,300.
Manager - Matt Taylor. Dec 2023. Exeter yes. Rotherham no. Player Exeter, Charlton, Cheltenham.
Owner - HussIin Al Saeed. 55% August 2023. Wael Al Qadi 40%. Samer Al Qadi 5%.
Last years - L1 2 years, L2 1 year, previous 5 L1, L2 before.
“From this day on, I assure the fans that we will be working tirelessly on the sustainability and growth of the football club. Rovers are a club with huge potential that is still untapped, and it is our duty to make sure that we do everything possible to improve the current state.”
“Seems sincere, not looking for quick fixes, looking to assemble a decent squad. He speaks well and clearly has the calm demeanour of someone with Bristol Rovers interest at heart.”
NTT20 12th. Is it a clean slate for Taylor or is Taylor not right for Rovers? Fun squad with potential. Good and consistently so? High level of variability.
Northampton Town
Nickname - The Cobblers.
Location - Halfway between Birmingham and London, Closer to MK, N of Luton.
Ground - Sixfields. 2 x classic uniform larger L1/L2, smaller at ends. Tidy, neat. 68% of 7,798.
Manager - Jon Brady. Australian. Northampton academy 2015-2021, Prior Brackley Town 2012-2015. Successful.
Owner - Northampton Town Ventures Limited. Kevin Thomas. David Bower. Nigel Le Quence. Kevin Thomas - Internet radio. Grandfather Fulham Chairman. Oxford 20080-2015. Close to Chris Wilder.
Last years. L1. Season ‘23 promoted from L2. Prior 10 between L1 and L2.
“Promotion prior year and maintained position 2024. Target achieved.”
NTT20 18th. Concerned at what lost but Brady knows how to make it work. Players cherry picked. Direct team. Deserves credit. High floor.
Exeter City
Nickname - The Grecians.
Location - Torquay, Exeter, Plymouth. Furthest point S and W.
Ground - St. James Park. Cantilever Med 3/4 side due to railway. Covered medium grey roof other. Large standing terrace one end. V small covered stand with nice houses behind. 63% of 8,219.
Manager - Gary Caldwell. Took over from successful Matt Taylor. Exeter > Rotherham > Bristol Rovers, Wigan 2015-2016, Chesterfield 2017, Partick 2018-2019, Exeter. Player - 55 caps Scotland. Newcastle, Coventry, Celtic plus others.
Owner - Exeter City Supporters Trust. Democratic. Non-profit. Majority shareholder.
Last years - L1 Seasons 24 and 23. Prior L1. 2004-2009 NL.
“I love this club. It really is a very special club.”
“Gary brings the highest level of professionalism and positivity in every aspect of the job. We could not look for better.”
NTT20 20th. Defensive spine taken out. Difficult to build again for Caldwell. Level headed club. If keeps up doing well given amount of talent moved on last two years.
Wigan Athletic
Nickname - The Latics.
Location - Manchester, Liverpool, Preston triangle.
Ground - The Brick Community Stadium. Built 1999. Futuristic main stand design. 45% of 25,128.
Manager - Shaun Maloney. Hibernian, Wigan, 20 Scotland caps Player - Celtic, Villa, Wigan.
Owner - Mike Danson, Wigan-born billionaire. Estimated worth £1.17b. Data Monitor and Global Data.
Last years, L1, Prior 3 Championship. 1 visit L1, PL 2006-2013.
“Shaun Maloney believes the future will be “a lot more stable” after his young Wigan Athletic team defied am eight point deduction to finish in the top half of League One.
“The Latics were relegated from the Championship when hit by a three point a three point deduction over the failure of previous owner A Al-Jasmi to pay salaries on time, and with another 8 points before they started the season for other offences. The club were also subject to a HMRC winding-up order and handed a transfer embargo, before Wigan Warriors co-owner Mike Danson stepped in to buy them.
NTT20 13th. Big season for Wigan. Back on a level playing field. Play loan market very well. Maloney has credits. Turbulent time over.
Leyton Orient
Nickname - The O’s
Location - Leyton, East London.
Ground - Brisbane Road. Large 1-length, 2x 3 regular. Flats a la Partick behind one goal. 56% of 9,271.
Manager - Richie Wellens. Appointed 2022. Promotion, Middle of table L1, new 3=year contract. Oldham, Swindon, Salford. Doncaster. Player - Blackpool. Leicester City.
Owner - Eagle Investments 2019 Limited. Nigel Travis / Kent League. Dunkin’doughnuts. Dallas investor. Bought from Becchetti, who bought from Barry Hearns in 2014.
Last years - L1, L2 previous 8 years. L1 prior.
“Leyton Orient’s promotion is down to good-guy owners. Wellen’s strategy and a dash of romance.”
“Owners have spoken of Richie Wellens taking on Justin Edinburgh’s work and taking Orient to promotion.”
NTT 14th. Like manager and squad. Positive about Orient. Top of pitch a concern. Tepid embrace of mid-table?
Wycombe Wanderers
Nickname - The Chairboys
Location - Just NE of London. Halfway to Oxford, Just N of Reading.
Ground - Adams Park Stadium. 2-tier attractive stand. Very nicely apportioned 3 other covered smaller stands. Nice ground. 55% of 10,176.
Manager - Matt Bloomfield. Colchester U 2022-23, Wycombe 2023- . Player Wycombe 488 appearances, England U age.
Last years L1 3 yrs, CH 1 year, L2 6 years.
“The club has been taken over by Kazakstan billionaire Mikheil Lomtadze.”
“The football world is evolving fast and our priority will be to integrate data analytics and technology to elevate the club’s performance to new levels.”
NTT20 15th. Club stood by manager and it worked by end of season. Lost players but like what they have done. New era with owner.
Stevenage FC
Nickname - The Boro.
Location - 25 miles NW of London.
Ground - Broadhall Way - Purpose built L1 standard uniform stadium. 39% of 7,800.
Manager - Alex Revell. Prev. manager, back as staff, promoted on Steve Evans departure. Lower league player. 54 appearances for Stevenage to end his career. Ex. Steve Evans. Promotion and promotion chase. Off to Rotherham April 2024.
Owner - Paul Wallace, Businessman. Chairman Lamex Group.
Last years - L1 1 year, mid-table finish, L2 6 years. L1 2 years, L2.
“Stevenage have an absolutely fantastic chairman and board, a great infrastructure, a smaller football club but a really good one.” Steve Evans.
NTT20 22nd. Steve Evans = Stevenage. Revell manager before. Struggled. Revert to type = regulation. Bred to play a certain way.
Barnsley FC
Nickname - The Tykes.
Location - N of Sheffield, S of Leeds, In the middle of.
Ground - Oakwell Stadium. Big, well-apportioned stadium. Main stand large 2-tiered, top largest. Large Kop and cantilever behind both ends. Large covered 1-tier along final side. Good looking ground. 53% of 23,287.
Manager - Darrell Clarke. Summer 24. Salisbury Town, Bristol Rovers, Walsall, Port Vale, Cheltenham Town. (Daughter 22). Player - Mansfield, Hartlepool, Salisbury Town.
Owners - Consortium with various %’s. Chien Lee, Neerav Pareth, Cryne Family (Long association with club).
Last years - L1 last two years, playoffs both times, CH 8 of last 11 years. PL 1997-98.
“Finished in play-offs again but that is where the comparisons to the previous campaign ends. 10 fewer points and apart from a spell early in 2024, very rarely played with a consistency and style that made them look like promotion candidates.”
NTT20 8th. Interesting managerial appointment. Different appointment from last 5 years. Change of recruitment to some experienced players. Cosgrove? Difficult to predict.
Peterborough United
Nickname - The Posh.
Location - On own, halfway between London, Hull. Norwich, Birmingham. Close to the N Norfolk coast.
Ground - London Road. 2 new football stands, 1 x Aberdeen stand to side and 1 x ‘Aberdeen’ brick stand behind. Blue. 1934 pm seats behind goal. 66% of 15,314.
Manager - Darren Ferguson.
Owner - Darragh MacAnthony. Colourful Irish entrepreneur. Holiday properties. One point employing over 2,000 people.
“Ferguson is in his 4th spell as Peterborough manager and is hoping to lead them to promotion for the fifth time - and return them to the CH from whihc they were last relegated in 2022.”
Last years - L1 last 2 years, CH 2022, Previous 8 L1, Prior CH.
“My job as chairman of the club is to ensure we live within our means, reduce our debts in a sensible and sustainable manner whilst at the same time having a competitive team that goes out every week to put smiles on our faces with what they deliver on the pitch.”
NTT20 10th. Losing 4 best players a big loss. Signings for the future. Different side now. 2 year cycles and start of new one. Brilliant team to support. Sturdiness to compete at top end of division.
Bolton Wanderers
Nickname - The Trotters.
Location - SE of Preston, NW of Manchester.
Ground - Tough-Sheet Community Stadium. Mini-Wembley in red and blue. 4 curved stands. Premier League ground. Aesthetically pleasing. 54% of 28,723.
Manager - Ian Evatt. Chesterfield, Barrow (Promotion from NL) (Barrowcelona) , Bolton (Promotion to L1), EFL Trophy, Play-off semi, Play-off final. Player Blackpool, Chesterfield.
Owners - Football Ventures (Whites). Sharon Brittan (Young Mary Ann), Michael James (Local businessman). Ian Evatt shares.
Last years - L1 2 years, L2 1 year, L1, CH (5) PL 2002-2012.
“Building something special. Great football. Cutting back on arrogant statements.”
