What is League Two? Biggest clubs, promotion places for EFL 2 as Wrexham close in

2023-04-23
6 min read

Heading into the last two games of the season in the fifth-tier National League, Wrexham and Notts County continue to fight it out for top spot and automatic promotion.

The step up would see them reach the Football League and make it into League Two, which is the fourth tier of the English football pyramid. 

With some big clubs in the division at present, both sides would face a challenge if promoted, though there are positive signs given that a number of National League winners have secured back-to-back promotions in League Two. 

What is League Two?

League Two is the fourth tier of the English football pyramid, and the division at the bottom of the English Football League (EFL).

It is below League One, and one step up from the National League, where Wrexham and Notts County are currently battling it out for promotion. 

Three steps down from England's Premier League, League Two is made up by a real mixture of teams this season, some of whom have previously played at the highest level in the country and some who have recently found themselves in the Football League for the first time. 

There are other majors differences between League Two and the National League. Unlike in the latter where some aren't, all teams in League Two this season are professional clubs. As such, League Two clubs are generally able to spend more money.

Top five divisions of the English Football pyramid
Tier League name
1 Premier League
2 EFL Championship
3 EFL League One
4 EFL League Two
5 National League

Who are the biggest clubs in League Two this season?

Bradford City

By many metrics, Bradford City are the biggest club who are playing in League Two during the 2022/23 season. 

The side from West Yorkshire who played in the Premier League for two seasons between 1999 and 2001 regularly draw attendances in excess of 18,000 fans at this level, substantially more than any other team in the league. 

In recent years, the Bantams have also enjoyed some high-profile cup runs, one of which saw them beat Arsenal en route to the League Cup final in 2013 as a League Two side, and another which saw them beat Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup 4th Round. 

Swindon Town 

The only other current League Two side to have previously played in the Premier League are Swindon Town. 

Scroll to Continue with Content

The club from Wiltshire have a long history in the Football League, having gone through various stages of both success and failure since being formed in 1879. 

Their club honours include several playoff final victories and, most impressively, League Cup glory back in 1968/69.

AFC Wimbledon

One of the most recognisable names in the Football League, AFC Wimbledon were formed back in 2002 when the original side of Wimbledon FC were controversially relocated to Milton Keynes in England.

Moving the club 60 miles north of London rightly infuriated fans who decided to set up a new club in the same name and began life in the ninth tier of English football. 

AFC Wimbledon were then promoted six times in 13 seasons to make it back to the Football League. 

Will Wrexham win League Two?

In short, there's no reason why Wrexham can't get promoted from League Two next season.

Unlike many clubs at this level, the Welsh outfit have a sizeable budget available to help take them up the English league pyramid at a fairly rapid pace.

Obviously there are no guarantees in football but with a squad that already boosts players that could easily play at a higher level, Wrexham certainly seem set to challenge at the top end of League two next season if they can finally get promoted this time around.

How many teams get promoted from League Two? 

League Two has a different format to most of the other leagues in the English football pyramid.

At this level, three teams get automatically promoted whilst another joins them via the playoffs, which is made up of four teams.

The playoff system in League Two sees the 4th- and 7th-placed sides face off whilst the 5th- and 6th-placed sides make up the other semi-final. The two winners then meet at the League Two playoff final at Wembley Stadium, usually two weeks after the regular season finishes.