It was an interesting season in League 1 during 2014/15.
Bristol City stormed to the League 1 title and MK Dons followed them to the Championship, clinching promotion on the last day of the season. Preston, who were pushed into third, managed to end their hoodoo and gain promotion through the play-offs.
At the other end of the table, Colchester stayed up by beating PNE on the very last day. Yeovil found themselves relegated for the second year in a row, while Leyton Orient had a massive fall from grace from the season before, finishing 23rd. Crawley and Notts County also found going down to League 2.
So, with the season at its end, it’s time for me to take a look at each team and give them a grade from A* to F in this League 1 report card. I’ll give the position they finished in, the grade I gave them and a brief summary of why I gave them the grade and some key moments from the 2014/15 season for the team.
Barnsley – Finished 11th – B-
11th is a respectable finish for the Tykes who found themselves back in League 1 after relegation from the Championship. Despite this, many expected Barnsley to challenge in the play-offs at least but they found themselves mid-table come the end of the season. They also sacked manager Danny Wilson after two years in charge and replaced him with Lee Johnson who, since taking over, has only lost three times as manager so far. Things could be promising for them next year.
Bradford – Finished 7th – B+
They improved on their 11th-placed finish from the 2013/14 season and found themselves up near the play-off spots. It was a close one, but Bradford just missed out by four points. Phil Parkinson has continued to prove he is a top manager with the way the club has progressed under him – he has got them promoted from League 2 and to Wembley to name just two things – and if the club continues to make these strides then next season could prove to be a good one for the Bantams.
Bristol City – Finished 1st – A*
Bristol City had a fantastic season. They improved massively on their 13th place finish from the 2013/14 season and many tipped them for the play-offs but they went all the way and clinched automatic promotion and the League 1 title – not to mention they did it several weeks before the final day. They played some good football along the way and they will now continue their Football League journey in the Championship.
Chesterfield – Finished 6th – A
Chesterfield were another team who had a brilliant season. Although they didn’t gain promotion, they managed to reach the play-offs in their first League 1 season and played impressively along the way. However, the man who led them there – Paul Cook – has left to manage Portsmouth and we will now have to wait and see if new boss Dean Saunders can help them improve on their sixth place finish next season.
