When it comes to life in football, relegation is one of the worst things that can happen to a football club, no matter what league a club is in. However, some clubs finish in relegation zones but are not relegated.
There are various reasons why clubs finish in the drop zone but don’t suffer relegation. One of the biggest reasons for this scenario to occur is that a club in the same division experiences financial difficulties or even goes out of business. This scenario happens far more in non-league football and the lower leagues of the EFL.
Unfortunately, clubs are also denied places in the play-offs or promotions, sometimes through no fault of their own.
Stevenage avoids relegation to the National League
One club that was lucky to survive relegation from League Two to the National League was Stevenage in season 2019/20. The season was curtailed due to Covid-19, with Stevenage in major relegation trouble.
Firstly, they benefitted from Bury going out of business. The Shakers were in League One, but their financial situation not only saw them relegated to the division below but also caused them to be expelled from the Football League.
4 managers
3 league wins
2 other clubs in financial crisis
1 global pandemicThis is the story of how Stevenage survived relegation in 2019-20, platforming their rise up the EFL.https://t.co/Yn2reprrRF
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) November 5, 2024
In Bury’s absence, it was decided that only one team would suffer relegation from League Two to the National League.
Stevenage also benefitted from the ongoing financial issues at another north west club, Macclesfield Town. They were involved in several points deductions during the season due to financial problems.
Town had been above Stevenage until the points deductions. After lots of appeals and counter-appeals, the final decision on who was relegated wasn’t decided until 11th August.
The last four-point deduction meant that Macclesfield Town finished three points below Stevenage, and it was Town that suffered relegation to the National League.
Things got even worse for Macclesfield in September 2020 when they were expelled from the National League, and the club went out of business. Still, a Phoenix club, Macclesfield F.C., was founded shortly after the original club went out of business.
Gateshead were denied entry into the National League play-offs
In season 2023/24, Gateshead finished sixth place in the National League and was expected to take part in the play-offs for a chance to win promotion to League Two.
However, the EFL denied the club entry to the play-offs because the local council couldn’t guarantee them a 10-year lease at the International Stadium. It was harsh on the team that finished as National League North champions in season 2021/22.
When in the National League in seasons 2022/23 and 2023/24, the ambitious Dorking Wanderers made an ‘Application for Membership to the EFL’. However, they didn’t meet the requirements for entry into the Football League.
This was obviously done with the aim of winning promotion to League Two. Unfortunately, however, Marc White’s outfit was relegated back to the National League South in season 2023/24.
However, with the Wanderers top of the National League South at the time of writing, the issue could become applicable in the next few seasons. If they don’t improve their facilities, then they won’t even be able to play in the play-offs.
The changes Wanderers would need to make to their current facilities would be significant. Here are some of the changes they would be required to meet the requirements:
- Cover for at least 200 away spectators, including 100 seats
- Ground control room, including CCTV
- Bigger home and away dugouts to include 14 seats each
- LED increase to 500 LUX (currently 250)
- Changing rooms that are twice the size of the current ones
- Address the standard of the current playing surface
- Enhanced facilities for disabled supporters.
- Evidence of ability to increase capacity in season one of promotion to achieve 2002 seats
The rules are understandable when it comes to safety. However, some of the rules may well be harsh on some clubs, such as Gateshead. The north east outfit is in with a shout of a play-off spot once again in season 2024/25.
However, a post from the club on Facebook suggests that Gateshead now has an agreement that would allow the team into the play-offs in season 2024/25 if they finish in the league’s play-off spots. They may well get their happy ending, even if other clubs may not in the near future.