The championship and beyond

07 May 2013 15:18

We all love the Premiership and the kudos it brings, the TV money and all the top stars but this season the three leagues below it have produced thrilling nail biting football.

In the championship Cardiff were the form team losing only nine games in a tough 46 game season. What a climax though Saturday as Hull and Watford battled for the second automatic spot.Watching on TV even i was watching enthralled as Hull missed a penalty then conceded one against the champions and then their fans,player and manager Steve bruce had to wait eight agonising minutes as Watford who were going up conceded in the last minute against Leeds to condemn them to the playoffs.You can't imagine what the Hornets fans were going through. Crystal Palace, Brighton and Leicester join them in the playoffs and i expect some nervy edgy games. Big clubs like Leeds, Birmingham and Middlesbrough never got near the playoffs which shows you how tough that league is.Wolves will testify that having got relegated to League one with Bristol City and Peteboro.

In League one Doncaster won the title by a single point from Bournemouth having scored in the last minute off their final game setting off wild celebrations.Again a tough League with Sheffield United and Coventry who were their at the beginning of the Premier League in that League.Bury, Hartlepool and Portsmouth went down to League two with Portsmouth battling administration all season.

In League two Gillingham and Rotherham went up, while Barnet despite having Dutch legend Edgar Davids managing and playing for them and Aldershot dropped to the non Leagues.

The play offs have started and there will be winners happy to be going up especially from the championship to the promised land and for the losers, another 46 game slog and another battle for promotion and a scramble from relegation. The Premier league might have all the glory but the three divisions below have the most exiting football and very good crowds.

Source: DSG