What Happened In League One On The Final Day?

On Saturday, League One was outshone in permutations by the Championship and League Two on this year’s season finale – a rare exception in the EFL.

With both automatic promotion spots claimed and all four relegated sides confirmed prior to the final day, there was not a huge amount to play for across the league. Despite the lack of fluctuation in the table, there were still some stellar fixtures in League One over the weekend, which have sent various signals for next season. Here are a few of them.

Leyton Orient Make Playoffs

The league would have been unjust to deny Leyton Orient of the fourth and final playoff spot. Their superb performances across the division were rewarded on Saturday when a five-goal thriller secured the extra series of promotion-riding matches, as well as the League One Golden Boot heading in the way of forward Charlie Kelman.

(League One Top Scorers 2024/25: by FotMob)

Travelling away to Huddersfield and grabbing all three points is not an easy thing to do, yet Leyton Orient made the John Smith’s Stadium look like their own home ground when winning 4-1 with flying colours. I suppose not one thing was going to stop Orient’s promotion surge when within touching distance. Daniel Agyei was in spectacular fashion in Yorkshire, bagging a brace to help seal the victory.

Richie Wellens’ men have now confirmed sixth place, meaning they will play a two-legged affair against Stockport County in this year’s playoffs. The first leg will be played this coming Saturday – a lunchtime kick off at Brisbane Road. Afterwards, the return fixture will take place the Wednesday following at Stockport’s Edgeley Park, with the winner’s fate lying at Wembley Stadium.

Play-offs officially locked in ✅

We'll see you next Saturday, O's ❤️#LOFC #OneOrient pic.twitter.com/4aYlFni73B

— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) May 3, 2025

Wycombe Slipping

On Saturday, Wycombe Wanderers were treated to a playoff teaser at Adams Park but squandered the opportunity in a 3-1 loss to Stockport. Dropping points has become a familiar theme for Wycombe, as they have lost all momentum from three successive defeats. Just two weeks ago, the Chairboys were one point clear of Wrexham, sat in the second automatic promotion spot. Not only have they surrendered the automatics, but Mike Dodds men have also dropped as far down as fifth, meaning they will play their valuable playoff second leg away from home.

Ironically, each of their last three games were played against the other three playoff teams – Stockport, Leyton Orient and Charlton. With each game ending in a loss for Wycombe, the playoff tone set is certainly not one acquired to their tastes.

💪 Our @SkyBetLeagueOne play-off semi-final fixtures are confirmed!

Ticket details will follow as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/4MXOonuyDL

— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) May 3, 2025

These recent events have given the three other teams a crucial advantage heading into the playoffs. Charlton Athletic thumped the Chairboys 4-0 away from home on Easter Monday. Now, just two weeks later, the Addicks will delve into a tasty two-match tie against Wycombe, with the latter game to be played at The Valley.

Blues Crush The Points Record

There will never be enough plaudits you can hand out to Birmingham City’s record-breaking season. Sky high transfer expenditure or not, you cannot take away what Chris Davies’ men have accomplished in the third tier this campaign. Against Blackpool last Wednesday, the Blues officially broke the record for the highest number of points in a season for all three EFL divisions, taking the crown from Reading’s 2005/06 campaign which scored 106 points.

✅ Most ever points in a professional football League (111)
✅ Most Ever Wins in the English football League (34)
✅ Most Ever Points in the English football league (111)

Chris Davies' Birmingham City everyone💙 #BCFC pic.twitter.com/g6r3xAbwFs

— Blues Fo(C)us (@BluesFocus) May 3, 2025

This weekend, Birmingham added to their tally, making it 111 points after a well-fought 2-1 win against relegated Cambridge. They have now exceeded the League One points record by a staggering eight points – previously set by Wolves in 2013/14, as well as the EFL record by six points. A truly remarkable achievement. To add context, the Blues sit 19 points clear as Champions, and 24 points clear in an automatic promotion spot. Furthermore, playoff-secure Leyton Orient in sixth are closer in points to the relegation zone than they are to Birmingham City – astonishing!

(Birmingham City Stats 2024/25: by FotMob)

After spending just over £30 million this season on signings, Chris Davies’ outfit have only lost three times in League One this season – none of which at home – and have conceded just 31 goals. With five wins out of their last five, Birmingham City are certainly sailing back to the Championship in style.