Promotion to League One confirmed for Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle

EFL clubs voted in a virtual EGM on Tuesday. Credit: PA IMAGES

Two teams from the South West have been promoted from League Two to League One following a vote by EFL clubs on Tuesday.

Swindon Town are League Two Champions while Plymouth Argyle secure the third automatic promotion spot behind Crewe Alexandra.

What has been decided?

Elite football in England has been suspended since 13 March because of coronavirus, with only the Premier League and Championship so far committing to resuming their seasons later this month.

All 71 EFL clubs were asked to vote on a framework for the EFL to follow should a division's season have to be curtailed.

Both League One and League Two tables will now be settled on points per game, while promotion, relegation and the play-offs all remain.

These measures were agreed to by a majority vote and although a number of alternative proposals and amendments were put forward by individual clubs they failed to gain enough support to change the plan.

What happens next?

Bristol City's season is set to continue with the remaining Championship fixtures released earlier this week.

They are currently 7th in the table and will return to action away at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday 20 June.

Bristol Rovers' season is now over - their mid table standing ensures no involvement in play-offs nor relegation - and the club's League One status will remain unchanged.

In League Two, only Forest Green Rovers opposed the unanimous decision to curtail things, according to their Chairman Dale Vince.

Cheltenham Town and Exeter City will contest the play-offs and will each play a home and away semi-final before the last remaining promotion place is decided in the final at Wembley.

Cheltenham Town will play Northampton Town while Exeter City face Colchester United, with the first leg on Thursday, 18 June and the second leg on Monday, 22 June.

League Two play-off schedule:

  • Colchester United v Exeter City (17:15 BST) 18 June

  • Northampton Town v Cheltenham Town (19:45 BST) 18 June

  • Exeter City v Colchester United (17:15 BST) 22 June

  • Cheltenham Town v Northampton Town (20:00 BST) 22 June

What about the National League?

The remainder of the league's fixtures were cancelled on April 22nd.

Now that decisions on promotion and relegation have been formally made in the leagues above, an announcement from the National League is set to follow.

The National League had previously suggested play-offs may go ahead.

If they do, then Yeovil Town will be back in action, but the logistical and financial challenges would be considerable in what is now a very tight time window.