The quest for promotion towards England`s top football division is well underway, with the playoff picture taking shape in the EFL Championship. This will determine which clubs will join the already promoted Leeds United and Burnley in the Premier League. However, the excitement isn`t limited to the second tier; teams throughout the English Football League pyramid are also pushing for promotion.
Among the 72 clubs competing in the EFL, only a select 10 achieve promotion each season, keeping their aspirations of reaching the Premier League alive. With the regular EFL league season concluding on Saturday, several promotion spots have already been confirmed.
Let`s examine which teams have already earned promotion from their respective divisions before the final matchday:
Promoted to the Premier League
- Burnley
- Leeds United
Vincent Kompany successfully guided Burnley straight back to the Premier League just one season after their relegation. Their promotion was built on a solid defense and impressive goalkeeping performances, positioning them to potentially win the Championship title. Leeds United, level on 97 points with Burnley, bounced back after a single season in the second division, having been relegated at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. This season marks a historic possibility, as it could be the first time two teams in the same Championship season surpass 100 points, highlighting their dominance from start to finish.
Promoted to the Championship
- Birmingham City
- Wrexham
Birmingham City is set for an immediate return to the Championship, potentially reaching an impressive 111 points if they win their final game. The club has seen significant investment, with figures like Tom Brady joining the ownership group. This investment has seemingly paid off, notably with the acquisition of striker Jay Stansfield, who has scored 19 goals and been instrumental in their strong campaign.
The remarkable journey of Wrexham, under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, continues with their third consecutive promotion. Achieving a fourth consecutive promotion to reach the Premier League would be a monumental task, but given their trajectory, nothing seems impossible. Manager Phil Parkinson has proven to be highly effective within the English football pyramid, seamlessly integrating new players while maintaining success, even when benching club icon Paul Mullin. The Dragons consistently make the right decisions, regardless of the challenges they face.
Promoted to League One
- Doncaster Rovers
- Port Vale
Luke Molyneux enjoyed an outstanding season with 16 goals and 12 assists, contributing significantly to Doncaster`s promotion. After a decline since being relegated from the Championship in 2014, this promotion signals a potential return to higher divisions for the club. Port Vale, managed by Darren Moore, holds the unenviable record of spending the most seasons (113) in the EFL without ever reaching the top flight. However, they have now secured their return to League One, having been relegated last season.
