Scottish League Two

Last updated

Scottish League Two
Scottish League 2.svg
Founded2013;11 years ago (2013)
CountryScotland (10 teams)
Confederation UEFA
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid 4
Promotion to Scottish League One
Relegation to Highland Football League
Lowland Football League
Domestic cup(s) Scottish Cup
League cup(s) Scottish League Cup
Scottish Challenge Cup
Current champions Stenhousemuir (1st title) [note 1]
(2023–24)
Most championships Peterhead
(2 titles) [note 1]
TV partners BBC Alba
Website spfl.co.uk
Current: 2024–25 Scottish League Two

The Scottish League Two, known as William Hill League Two for sponsorship reasons, [1] is the fourth tier of the Scottish Professional Football League, the league competition for men's professional football clubs in Scotland. The Scottish League Two was established in July 2013, after the Scottish Professional Football League was formed by a merger of the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League. [2]

Contents

Since the 2014–15 season, the bottom team has entered a play-off against the winner of a play-off between the winners of the Highland and Lowland Leagues for a place in the following season's competition. [3]

Format

Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned league champion. If points are equal, the goal difference determines the winner. If this still does not result in a winner, the tied teams must take part in a playoff game at a neutral venue to determine the final placings. [4]

Promotion and relegation

The champions are directly promoted to the Scottish League One, swapping places with the bottom club of League One. [4] The clubs finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th in League Two, and the 9th placed team in League One then enter the two-legged League One play-off. The 2nd-placed League Two club plays the 3rd-placed League Two club, whilst the team who finished 4th in League Two will play the 9th-placed League One side. The winners of these ties will then play each other. If a League Two play-off winner prevails, that club is promoted, with the League One club being relegated. If the League One side is victorious, they then retain their place in League One. [4]

Since season 2014–15, the bottom team in League Two enters a two-legged play-off against the winner of the Pyramid play-off between the Highland League and Lowland League champions. [4] If the Highland or Lowland team wins the final they are promoted to League Two, and the team finishing 10th is relegated to the regional league they have chosen prior to the start of the season (previously this depended on whether they were north or south of 56.4513N latitude). If the League Two side wins the play-off, they retain their place in the following season's competition. [4]

The following League Two play-off finals have been played:

SeasonWinning teamAggregate scoreLosing team
2014–15 Montrose 3–2 Brora Rangers
2015–16 Edinburgh City (P)2–1 East Stirlingshire (R)
2016–17 Cowdenbeath 1–1 (p) East Kilbride
2017–18 Cowdenbeath 3–2 Cove Rangers
2018–19 Cove Rangers (P)7–0 Berwick Rangers (R)
2019–20 No playoffs were held due to the Covid-19 pandemic
2020–21 Kelty Hearts (P)3–1 Brechin City (R)
2021–22 Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic (P)4–0 Cowdenbeath (R)
2022–23 The Spartans (P)2–1 Albion Rovers (R)
2023–24 Stranraer 5–3 (aet) East Kilbride

(P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Teams

Listed below are all the teams competing in the 2023–24 Scottish League Two season, with details of the first season they entered the fourth tier; the first season of their current spell in the fourth tier; and the last time they won the fourth tier.

TeamPosition in 2022–23 First season in
fourth tier		First season of current
spell in fourth tier		Last title (4th tier)
Bonnyrigg Rose 2022–23 2022–23 —
Clyde 2010–11 2023–24 —
Dumbarton 1997–98 2022–23 2008–09
East Fife 1999–00 2022–23 2015–16
Elgin City 2000–01 2000–01 —
Forfar Athletic 1994–95 2021–22 1994–95
Peterhead 2000–01 2023–24 2013–14
Stenhousemuir 1998–99 2019–20 —
Stranraer 2003–04 2020–21 2003–04
The Spartans 2023–24 2023–24 —

Stadiums

Bonnyrigg Rose Clyde Dumbarton East Fife Elgin City
New Dundas Park New Douglas Park Dumbarton Football Stadium Bayview Stadium Borough Briggs
Capacity: 2,640Capacity: 6,018Capacity: 2,020 [5] Capacity: 1,980 [6] Capacity: 4,520 [7]
Bonnyrigg Red Rose 0 Brechin City 6.jpg New Douglas Park - 1.jpg Strathclyde Homes Stadium - Home Of Dumbarton FC - geograph.org.uk - 2586794.jpg
Methil power station.jpg
Borough briggs 3.jpg
Forfar Athletic Peterhead Stenhousemuir Stranraer The Spartans
Station Park Balmoor Ochilview Stair Park Ainslie Park
Capacity: 6,777 [8] Capacity: 3,150Capacity: 3,746 [9] Capacity: 4,178 [10] Capacity: 3,612
Station Park - geograph-1745780.jpg Peterhead, Balmoor Stadium.jpg Ochilview Park - Geograph-2010936-by-kim-traynor.jpg SFC - geograph.org.uk - 2580704.jpg Ainslie Park, Edinburgh (geograph 5087309).jpg

Statistics

Championships

SeasonWinnerRunner-upTop scorer
PlayerGoals
2013–14 Peterhead Annan Athletic Rory McAllister (Peterhead)32
2014–15 Albion Rovers Queen's Park Peter Weatherson (Annan Athletic)22
2015–16 East Fife Elgin City Nathan Austin (East Fife)22
2016–17 Arbroath Forfar Athletic Shane Sutherland (Elgin City)18
2017–18 Montrose Peterhead David Goodwillie (Clyde)25
2018–19 Peterhead Clyde Blair Henderson (Edinburgh City)30
2019–20 [11] Cove Rangers Edinburgh City Mitch Megginson (Cove Rangers)24
2020–21 Queen's Park Edinburgh City Kane Hester (Elgin City)15
2021–22 Kelty Hearts Forfar Athletic Nathan Austin (Kelty Hearts)17
2022–23 Stirling Albion Dumbarton Tommy Goss (Annan Athletic)23
2023–24 Stenhousemuir Peterhead Blair Henderson (The Spartans)18

Top goalscorers

As of 29 September 2023 [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]
RankPlayerClub(s) [note 2] Goals
1Blair Henderson Annan Athletic (2014), (2017–2018)
Berwick Rangers (2015–2016)
Stirling Albion (2016–2017)
Edinburgh City (2018–2021)
The Spartans (2023–)		87
2 Shane Sutherland Elgin City (2013–2015; 2016–2019)
Peterhead (2019)
Elgin City (2019–2020)		75
3 Rory McAllister Peterhead (2013–2014; 2017–2019)
Cove Rangers (2020)
Peterhead (2023–)		70
4Kane Hester Arbroath (2015–2017)
Elgin City (2019–2023)		63
5Brian CameronElgin City (2013–)59

Italics denotes players still playing football,
Bold denotes players still playing in Scottish League Two.

Notes

  1. 1 2 Scottish League Two has only existed since 2013. For a complete record of clubs that have won the Scottish fourth tier, see List of winners of the Scottish League Two and predecessors.
  2. ↑ Clubs only include those where players scored goals in the Scottish League Two.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Highland Football League</span> Association football league in Scotland

The Scottish Highland Football League is a senior football league based in the north of Scotland. The league sits at level 5 on the Scottish football league system, acting as a feeder to the Scottish Professional Football League.

The Scottish football league system is a series of generally connected leagues for Scottish football clubs.

The Scottish Professional Football League Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Scottish League Challenge Cup or Scottish Challenge Cup, and currently known as the SPFL Trust Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an association football knock-out cup competition run by the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL). It is recognised as the third most prestigious knockout trophy in Scottish football, after the Scottish Cup and the Scottish League Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Football in Scotland</span> Overview of football in Scotland

Association football is one of the national sports of Scotland and the most popular sport in the country. There is a long tradition of "football" games in Orkney, Lewis and southern Scotland, especially the Scottish Borders, although many of these include carrying the ball and passing by hand, and despite bearing the name "football" bear little resemblance to association football.

The Scottish Lowland Football League and the Park’s Motor Group Scottish Lowland League for sponsorship reasons is a senior football league based in central and southern Scotland. The league sits at level 5 on the Scottish football league system, acting as a feeder to the Scottish Professional Football League, and is above three regional leagues at level 6.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottish Professional Football League</span> Mens association football league system in Scotland

The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) is the national men's association football league in Scotland. The league was formed in June 2013 following a merger between the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish Football League. As well as operating its league competition, which consists of the top four levels of the Scottish football league system, the SPFL also operates two domestic cup competitions, the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Challenge Cup. While the Scottish Cup includes all the teams within the SPFL, the competition is run and organised by the Scottish Football Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottish Premiership</span> Association football top division in Scotland

The Scottish Premiership known as the William Hill Premiership for sponsorship reasons, is the top division of the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), the league competition for men's professional football clubs in Scotland. The Scottish Premiership was established in July 2013, after the SPFL was formed by a merger of the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League. There are 12 teams in this division, with each team playing 38 matches per season. Sixteen clubs have played in the Scottish Premiership since its creation in the 2013–14 season. Celtic are the current league champions, having won the 2023–24 Scottish Premiership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottish Championship</span> Association football league in Scotland

The Scottish Championship, known as the William Hill Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the second tier of the Scottish Professional Football League, the league competition for men's professional football clubs in Scotland. The Scottish Championship was established in July 2013, after the Scottish Professional Football League was formed by a merger of the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scottish League One</span> Association football league in Scotland

The Scottish League One, known as William Hill League One for sponsorship reasons, is the third tier of the Scottish Professional Football League, the league competition for men's professional football clubs in Scotland. The Scottish League One was established in July 2013, after the Scottish Professional Football League was formed by a merger of the Scottish Premier League and Scottish Football League.

The 2014–15 Scottish League Two is the 21st season in the current format of 10 teams in the fourth tier of Scottish football. The last placed team entered a play-off with the winners of the Highland League and Lowland League to determine which team entered League Two in the 2015–16 season.

The 2015–16 Scottish League Two was the 22nd season in the current format of 10 teams in the fourth-tier of Scottish football. The last placed team entered a play-off with a team nominated by the Scottish Football Association from outside the SPFL to determine which team enters League Two in the 2016–17 season.

The 2016–17 Scottish League Two was the 23rd season in the current format of 10 teams in the fourth-tier of Scottish football. The last placed team (Cowdenbeath) entered a play-off with a team nominated by the Scottish Football Association from outside the SPFL, to determine which team entered League Two in the 2017–18 season. The fixtures were published on 17 June 2016.

The 2017–18 Scottish League Two was the 24th season in the current format of 10 teams in the fourth-tier of Scottish football. The last placed team entered a play-off with a team nominated by the Scottish Football Association from outside the SPFL determining which team enters League Two in the 2018–19 season. The fixtures were published on 23 June 2017.

The 2018–19 Scottish League Two was the 25th season in the current format of 10 teams in the fourth-tier of Scottish football. The fixtures were published on 15 June 2018 and the season began on 4 August 2018.

The 2020–21 Scottish League Two was the 27th season in the current format of 10 teams in the fourth-tier of Scottish football. The season commenced later than usual on 17 October, being played over a shortened 27-game period due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Angus derby is a football rivalry that is based in Angus, Scotland. Matches are contested between any two SPFL clubs from Arbroath, Montrose, Forfar Athletic and Brechin City. All four sides regularly compete within the same leagues and therefore often face each other, and it is rare to find a season without a matchup between at least two of the Angus teams.

The 2021–22 Scottish League One was the ninth season of Scottish League One, the third tier of Scottish football. The season began on 31 July.

The 2021–22 Scottish League Two was the ninth season of Scottish League Two, the fourth tier of Scottish football. The season began on 31 July.

The 2022–23 Scottish League Two was the tenth season of Scottish League Two, the fourth tier of Scottish football.

References

  1. ↑ "WILLIAM HILL AND SPFL AGREE LANDMARK TITLE SPONSORSHIP DEAL". spfl.co.uk. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  2. ↑ "SPFL: New Scottish league brands unveiled". BBC Sport. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "Scottish FA approves Lowland League for next season". BBC Sport. 11 June 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Rules and Regulations of the Scottish Professional Football League" (PDF). Scottish Professional Football League. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  5. ↑ "Dumbarton Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  6. ↑ "East Fife Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Elgin City Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  8. ↑ "Forfar Athletic Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  9. ↑ "Stenhousemuir Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "Stranraer Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Retrieved 17 February 2017.
  11. ↑ "Dundee Utd, Raith & Cove win titles & reconstruction talks start after Dundee vote". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 April 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  12. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2013–14". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  13. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2014–15". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  14. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2015–16". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  15. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2016–17". Soccerbase. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  16. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2017–18". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  17. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2018–19". Soccerbase. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  18. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2019–20". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  19. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2020–21". Soccerbase. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  20. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2021–22". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  21. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2022–23". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  22. ↑ "Scottish League Two 2023–24". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.