England III Division

Third Division – in a nutshell, one favourite, one outsider, one unlucky team.

Exeter City – 24th with 33 points.

Port Vale – 23rd with 43 points.

Southend United – 22nd with 44 points.

Scunthorpe United – 21st with 46 points. The highest placed of the relegated teams – which was no comfort at all.

Brentford survived – 20th with 49 points.

Plymouth Argyle – 19th with 51 points.

Rotherham United – 18th with 54 points.

Bournemouth – 17th with 55 points.

Preston North End – 16th with 56 points.

Wigan Athletic- 15th with 61 points.

Lincoln City -14th with 61 points.

Newport County – 13th with 62 points.

Burnley – 12th with 62 points.

Orient – 11th with 63 points.

Bolton Wanderers – 10th with 64 points.

Millwall – 9th with 67 points.

Gillingham – 8th with 70 points.

Bradford City – 7th with 71 points.

Walsall – 6th with 75 points.

Bristol Rovers – 5th with 79 points.

Hull City was most unfortunate – they ended with 83 points, but worse goal-difference denied them promotion: 4th place.

Lucky Sheffield United – clinched the last promotional spot only on goal-difference. 83 points left them with no other option and good thing they came above Hull City.

Wimbledon – 2nd with 87 points. Not a title contender, but watch out for them: second promotion in a row. Won the Forth Division the previous year, now going even higher. And distinguishing themselves: if York City had the most points in all leagues, Wimbledon scored most goals this season – 97. The best record in all leagues.

Oxford United reigned supreme – 28 wins, 11 ties, 7 losses, 91-50 goal-difference, 95 points. In excellent form, Oxford had no rival this season and easily won Third Division.

So, Oxford United, Wimbledon, and Sheffield United were going to play second division football next season – job well done.