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WANDERERS found themselves part of a very exclusive club this season, as for the first time ever, ALL clubs promoted in the Football League survived relegation.
Huddersfield Town confirmed their place in the Premier League on Wednesday night with a draw against Chelsea, meaning all 12 teams who moved into a higher division last August managed to survive.
Phil Parkinson’s side definitely did it the hardest way, salvaging their Championship spot with just three minutes of regular time left.
Here we take a look at why 2017/18 was the year of the promoted team.
Premier League: Newcastle United, Brighton and Huddersfield Town
Wanderers were part of the first promoted trio to survive in the top flight, when Sam Allardyce led them into the promised land at the turn of the millennium alongside Fulham and Blackburn Rovers. But the achievement of the current bunch is nothing to be sniffed at, considering two of the clubs – Brighton and Huddersfield – had never played top flight football before.
Newcastle’s journey was fairly simple in the end. They negotiated a season-long battle in the boardroom as Mike Ashley looked to sell on, based mainly on the managerial acumen of Rafa Benitez, who defied the lack of investment in the squad to sit 10th place at time of asking.
Chris Hughton was on the managerial shortlist at Bolton a few years back and judging by his role in Brighton’s rise it is easy to see why. The club’s net spend of £57m was hefty but absolutely necessary, and now entirely substantiated with a second season at the top table guaranteed.
Huddersfield have also doubled down after promotion, putting £43m of Dean Hoyle’s cash into players. David Wagner’s practical approach has worked well, as solid results at Manchester City and Chelsea showed to secure survival. A special mention to ex-Wanderers coach Andy Hughes, too, who is a big part of the backroom.
Championship: Wanderers, Sheffield United and Millwall
Wanderers will need no reminder of their perilous route to safety. It was much more straightforward for Sheffield United and Millwall, however, who were not far away from the play-offs despite not being one of the division’s bigger spenders.
The Blades finished a credible 10th but now have manager Chris Wilder considering his options. Millwall ended up eighth – a massive achievement for Neil Harris – and a victory for the steady way the club’s squad has been built over the last few years in two different divisions.
League One: Plymouth, Portsmouth, Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool
Derek Adams’ Plymouth finished just outside the play-off spots and the feel-good vibe at Home Park looks like making them a force next season.
Portsmouth have also, mercifully, recovered from the worst of their financial problems and are back on an upward trajectory.
Doncaster had a season of consolidation, finishing 15th after an average spell of late-season form, while Blackpool’s off-the-field woes did not stop them finishing a solid 12th despite being favourites for the drop.
League Two: Forest Green and Lincoln City
Forest Green’s first-ever season in the Football League has been a steep learning curve but they got results when it mattered, and a 4-1 win against Chesterfield was the one which effectively saved them from the drop.
Lincoln won the Checkatrade Trophy and booked a play-off place, making theirs arguably the most impressive season of all the newbies listed.
Danny Cowley’s side may yet be playing League One football next season – and good luck to them!
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/16219088.Wanderers_join_part_of_an_exclusive_promotion_club_this_season/?ref=mrb&lp=1
Huddersfield Town confirmed their place in the Premier League on Wednesday night with a draw against Chelsea, meaning all 12 teams who moved into a higher division last August managed to survive.
Phil Parkinson’s side definitely did it the hardest way, salvaging their Championship spot with just three minutes of regular time left.
Here we take a look at why 2017/18 was the year of the promoted team.
Premier League: Newcastle United, Brighton and Huddersfield Town
Wanderers were part of the first promoted trio to survive in the top flight, when Sam Allardyce led them into the promised land at the turn of the millennium alongside Fulham and Blackburn Rovers. But the achievement of the current bunch is nothing to be sniffed at, considering two of the clubs – Brighton and Huddersfield – had never played top flight football before.
Newcastle’s journey was fairly simple in the end. They negotiated a season-long battle in the boardroom as Mike Ashley looked to sell on, based mainly on the managerial acumen of Rafa Benitez, who defied the lack of investment in the squad to sit 10th place at time of asking.
Chris Hughton was on the managerial shortlist at Bolton a few years back and judging by his role in Brighton’s rise it is easy to see why. The club’s net spend of £57m was hefty but absolutely necessary, and now entirely substantiated with a second season at the top table guaranteed.
Huddersfield have also doubled down after promotion, putting £43m of Dean Hoyle’s cash into players. David Wagner’s practical approach has worked well, as solid results at Manchester City and Chelsea showed to secure survival. A special mention to ex-Wanderers coach Andy Hughes, too, who is a big part of the backroom.
Championship: Wanderers, Sheffield United and Millwall
Wanderers will need no reminder of their perilous route to safety. It was much more straightforward for Sheffield United and Millwall, however, who were not far away from the play-offs despite not being one of the division’s bigger spenders.
The Blades finished a credible 10th but now have manager Chris Wilder considering his options. Millwall ended up eighth – a massive achievement for Neil Harris – and a victory for the steady way the club’s squad has been built over the last few years in two different divisions.
League One: Plymouth, Portsmouth, Doncaster Rovers and Blackpool
Derek Adams’ Plymouth finished just outside the play-off spots and the feel-good vibe at Home Park looks like making them a force next season.
Portsmouth have also, mercifully, recovered from the worst of their financial problems and are back on an upward trajectory.
Doncaster had a season of consolidation, finishing 15th after an average spell of late-season form, while Blackpool’s off-the-field woes did not stop them finishing a solid 12th despite being favourites for the drop.
League Two: Forest Green and Lincoln City
Forest Green’s first-ever season in the Football League has been a steep learning curve but they got results when it mattered, and a 4-1 win against Chesterfield was the one which effectively saved them from the drop.
Lincoln won the Checkatrade Trophy and booked a play-off place, making theirs arguably the most impressive season of all the newbies listed.
Danny Cowley’s side may yet be playing League One football next season – and good luck to them!
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/16219088.Wanderers_join_part_of_an_exclusive_promotion_club_this_season/?ref=mrb&lp=1