2021–22 EFL League One

EFL League One
Season2021–22
Dates7 August 2021 –
30 April 2022
ChampionsWigan Athletic
PromotedWigan Athletic
Rotherham United
Sunderland
RelegatedGillingham
Doncaster Rovers
AFC Wimbledon
Crewe Alexandra
Matches played552
Goals scored1,489 (2.7 per match)
Top goalscorerWill Keane
(26 goals)
Biggest home winIpswich Town 6–0 Doncaster Rovers
(28 September 2021)
Bolton Wanderers 6–0 Sunderland
(29 January 2022)
Sheffield Wednesday 6–0 Cambridge United
(12 March 2022)
Biggest away winCheltenham Town 0–5 Cambridge United
(7 December 2021)
Gillingham 2–7 Oxford United
(29 January 2022)
Doncaster Rovers 0–5 Rotherham United
(1 February 2022)
Plymouth Argyle 0–5 Milton Keynes Dons
(30 April 2022)
Highest scoringWycombe Wanderers 5–5 Cheltenham Town
(19 February 2022)
Longest winning runRotherham United
(6 games)[1]
Longest unbeaten runPlymouth Argyle
Rotherham United

(16 games)[1]
Longest winless runAFC Wimbledon
(27 games)[1]
Longest losing runCrewe Alexandra
(8 games) [1]
Highest attendance44,742
Sunderland 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday
(6 May 2022) [2]
Lowest attendance1,746
Accrington Stanley 0–2 AFC Wimbledon
(7 December 2021)[1]
Total attendance4,772,270 [1]
Average attendance9,942[1]

The 2021–22 EFL League One (referred to as the Sky Bet League One for sponsorship reasons) was the 18th season of the Football League One under its current title and the 30th season under its current league division format.

Team changes

The following teams have changed division since the 2020–21 season:

Stadiums

Team Location Stadium Capacity
Accrington Stanley Accrington Crown Ground 5,057
AFC Wimbledon London (Wimbledon) Plough Lane 9,300
Bolton Wanderers Horwich University of Bolton Stadium 28,723
Burton Albion Burton Pirelli Stadium 6,912
Cambridge United Cambridge Abbey Stadium 8,127
Charlton Athletic London (Charlton) The Valley 27,111
Cheltenham Town Cheltenham Whaddon Road 7,066
Crewe Alexandra Crewe Gresty Road 10,180
Doncaster Rovers Doncaster Keepmoat Stadium 15,231
Fleetwood Town Fleetwood Highbury Stadium 5,327
Gillingham Gillingham Priestfield Stadium 11,582
Ipswich Town Ipswich Portman Road 30,311
Lincoln City Lincoln Sincil Bank 10,120
Milton Keynes Dons Milton Keynes Stadium MK 30,500
Morecambe Morecambe Globe Arena 6,476
Oxford United Oxford Kassam Stadium 12,500
Plymouth Argyle Plymouth Home Park 18,600
Portsmouth Portsmouth Fratton Park 19,669
Rotherham United Rotherham New York Stadium 12,021
Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Hillsborough Stadium 39,732
Shrewsbury Town Shrewsbury New Meadow 9,875
Sunderland Sunderland Stadium of Light 49,000
Wigan Athletic Wigan DW Stadium 25,133
Wycombe Wanderers High Wycombe Adams Park 9,448

Personnel and sponsoring

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Sponsor
Accrington Stanley John Coleman Séamus Conneely Adidas Wham
AFC Wimbledon Mark Bowen Alex Woodyard Puma Sports Interactive
Bolton Wanderers Ian Evatt Ricardo Santos Macron Home Bargains
Burton Albion Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink John Brayford TAG Prestec UK Ltd[3]
Cambridge United Mark Bonner Greg Taylor Hummel Mick George
Charlton Athletic Johnnie Jackson Jason Pearce Hummel KW Holdings (Home & Third)
Walker Mower (Away)
Cheltenham Town Michael Duff Will Boyle Erreà Mira Showers[4]
Crewe Alexandra Alex Morris Luke Murphy FBT Mornflake
Doncaster Rovers Gary McSheffrey Tom Anderson Elite Pro Sports LNER
Fleetwood Town Stephen Crainey Jordan Rossiter Hummel BES Utilities
Gillingham Neil Harris Stuart O'Keefe Macron MEMS Power Generation
Ipswich Town Kieran McKenna Sam Morsy Adidas Ed Sheeran
Lincoln City Michael Appleton Liam Bridcutt Erreà Virgin Wines (Home)[5]
Light Source (Home)[6]
Buildbase (Home)[7]
University of Lincoln (Home)[8]
Branston Ltd (Home)[9]
SRP Hire (Away)
Milton Keynes Dons Liam Manning Dean Lewington Erreà Suzuki
Morecambe Derek Adams Anthony O'Connor Joma[10] Mazuma[11]
Oxford United Karl Robinson John Mousinho Puma EB Charging[12]
Plymouth Argyle Steven Schumacher Joe Edwards Puma Ginsters
Portsmouth Danny Cowley Clark Robertson Nike University of Portsmouth
Rotherham United Paul Warne Richard Wood Puma
  • IPM Group (home)
  • Intelipod (away and third)
Sheffield Wednesday Darren Moore Barry Bannan Macron Chansiri (home)
Elev8 (away and third)
Shrewsbury Town Steve Cotterill Ethan Ebanks-Landell Umbro Tuffins Supermarkets (Home)
Shropshire Homes (Away)
Sunderland Alex Neil Corry Evans Nike Great Annual Savings Group
Wigan Athletic Leam Richardson Tendayi Darikwa Puma EPIC.gi
Wycombe Wanderers Gareth Ainsworth Joe Jacobson O'Neills

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Doncaster Rovers Andy Butler[15] End of interim spell 17 May 2021 Pre-season Richie Wellens[15] 17 May 2021
Morecambe Derek Adams[16] Resigned 3 June 2021 Stephen Robinson[17] 7 June 2021
Milton Keynes Dons Russell Martin[18] Signed by Swansea City 1 August 2021 Liam Manning[19] 13 August 2021
Charlton Athletic Nigel Adkins[20] Sacked 21 October 2021 22nd Johnnie Jackson[21] 17 December 2021
Fleetwood Town Simon Grayson[22] 24 November 2021 Stephen Crainey[23] 21 December 2021
Doncaster Rovers Richie Wellens[24] 2 December 2021 23rd Gary McSheffrey[25] 29 December 2021
Ipswich Town Paul Cook[26] 4 December 2021 11th Kieran McKenna[27] 16 December 2021
Plymouth Argyle Ryan Lowe[28] Signed by Preston North End 7 December 2021 4th Steven Schumacher[28] 7 December 2021
Gillingham Steve Evans[29] Mutual consent 9 January 2022 22nd Neil Harris[30] 31 January 2022
Sunderland Lee Johnson[31] Sacked 30 January 2022 3rd Alex Neil[32] 11 February 2022
Morecambe Stephen Robinson[33] Signed by St Mirren 22 February 2022 21st Derek Adams[34] 24 February 2022
AFC Wimbledon Mark Robinson[35] Mutual consent 28 March 2022 21st Mark Bowen[36] 30 March 2022
Crewe Alexandra David Artell[37] Sacked 11 April 2022 24th Alex Morris[37] 11 April 2022

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Wigan Athletic (C, P) 46 27 11 8 82 44 +38 92 Promotion to EFL Championship
2 Rotherham United (P) 46 27 9 10 70 33 +37 90
3 Milton Keynes Dons 46 26 11 9 78 44 +34 89 Qualification for League One play-offs
4 Sheffield Wednesday 46 24 13 9 78 50 +28 85
5 Sunderland (O, P) 46 24 12 10 79 53 +26 84
6 Wycombe Wanderers 46 23 14 9 75 51 +24 83
7 Plymouth Argyle 46 23 11 12 68 48 +20 80
8 Oxford United 46 22 10 14 82 59 +23 76
9 Bolton Wanderers 46 21 10 15 74 57 +17 73
10 Portsmouth 46 20 13 13 68 51 +17 73
11 Ipswich Town 46 18 16 12 67 46 +21 70
12 Accrington Stanley 46 17 10 19 61 80 −19 61
13 Charlton Athletic 46 17 8 21 55 59 −4 59
14 Cambridge United 46 15 13 18 56 74 −18 58
15 Cheltenham Town 46 13 17 16 66 80 −14 56
16 Burton Albion 46 14 11 21 51 67 −16 53
17 Lincoln City 46 14 10 22 55 63 −8 52
18 Shrewsbury Town 46 12 14 20 47 51 −4 50
19 Morecambe 46 10 12 24 57 88 −31 42
20 Fleetwood Town 46 8 16 22 62 82 −20 40
21 Gillingham (R) 46 8 16 22 35 69 −34 40 Relegation to EFL League Two
22 Doncaster Rovers (R) 46 10 8 28 37 82 −45 38
23 AFC Wimbledon (R) 46 6 19 21 49 75 −26 37
24 Crewe Alexandra (R) 46 7 8 31 37 83 −46 29
Source: EFL Official Website
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points based on yellow and red cards received excluding the last four games of the season (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences; 9) If the tie affects the automatic promotion or relegation places, a play-off game or games would be held between the two tied teams[38]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Play-offs

Semi-finals Final
        
3 Milton Keynes Dons 0 1 1
6 Wycombe Wanderers 2 0 2
6 Wycombe Wanderers 0
5 Sunderland 2
4 Sheffield Wednesday 0 1 1
5 Sunderland 1 1 2

First leg

Wycombe Wanderers2–0Milton Keynes Dons

    Gape  31'

    Report
    Attendance: 8,987
    Referee: Darren Bond
    Sunderland1–0Sheffield Wednesday
    Report
    Attendance: 44,742
    Referee: Matt Donohue

    Second leg

    Milton Keynes Dons1–0Wycombe Wanderers
    Report
    Attendance: 13,012
    Referee: Thomas Bramall

    Wycombe Wanderers won 2–1 on aggregate.

    Sheffield Wednesday1–1Sunderland
    Report
    Attendance: 32,978
    Referee: James Linington

    Sunderland won 2–1 on aggregate.

    Final

    Wycombe Wanderers0–2Sunderland
    Report
    Attendance: 72,332
    Referee: Simon Hooper

    Results

    Home \ Away ACC WIM BOL BRT CAM CHA CHE CRE DON FLE GIL IPS LIN MKD MOR OXF PLY POR ROT SHW SHR SUN WIG WYC
    Accrington Stanley 0–2 1–0 0–0 2–1 2–1 4–4 4–1 1–0 5–1 1–2 2–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 2–0 1–4 2–2 1–0 2–3 1–0 1–1 1–4 3–2
    AFC Wimbledon 3–4 3–3 1–1 0–1 1–1 2–2 3–2 2–2 2–2 1–1 0–2 0–2 1–1 0–0 3–1 0–1 0–0 0–1 2–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–1
    Bolton Wanderers 3–1 4–0 0–0 2–0 2–1 2–2 2–0 3–0 4–2 2–2 2–0 3–1 3–3 1–1 2–1 0–1 1–1 0–2 1–1 2–1 6–0 0–4 0–2
    Burton Albion 4–0 1–1 3–1 2–2 0–1 1–1 4–1 2–0 3–2 1–1 2–1 1–2 0–1 3–2 1–3 0–0 2–1 2–0 0–2 0–2 1–0 0–0 1–2
    Cambridge United 2–0 1–0 1–0 3–0 0–2 2–2 1–0 3–1 2–2 0–2 2–2 1–5 0–1 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–0 0–1 1–1 0–0 1–2 2–2 1–4
    Charlton Athletic 2–3 3–2 1–4 2–0 2–0 1–2 2–0 4–0 2–0 1–0 2–0 1–2 0–2 2–3 0–4 2–0 2–2 1–1 0–0 2–0 0–0 0–2 0–1
    Cheltenham Town 1–0 3–1 1–2 1–1 0–5 1–1 1–2 4–0 2–0 2–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 3–1 1–0 0–2 1–0 0–2 2–2 2–1 2–1 0–0 1–3
    Crewe Alexandra 0–1 3–1 0–1 2–0 2–2 2–1 1–1 1–1 1–3 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–4 1–3 0–1 1–4 1–3 0–2 0–2 0–0 0–4 0–2 1–3
    Doncaster Rovers 2–0 1–2 1–2 2–0 1–1 0–1 3–2 2–0 0–1 0–1 0–1 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–2 1–3 0–0 0–5 1–3 1–0 0–3 1–2 0–2
    Fleetwood Town 1–2 1–1 3–0 0–1 1–1 1–2 3–2 3–0 0–0 2–1 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 2–3 3–3 0–1 1–0 2–3 0–3 2–2 2–3 3–3
    Gillingham 0–0 0–0 0–3 1–3 1–0 1–1 0–2 1–0 1–0 0–0 0–4 1–1 1–4 2–1 2–7 0–2 0–1 0–2 0–0 0–0 1–2 0–2 1–1
    Ipswich Town 2–1 2–2 2–5 3–0 0–1 4–0 0–0 2–1 6–0 2–1 1–0 2–0 2–2 2–2 0–0 1–0 0–0 0–2 1–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 1–0
    Lincoln City 0–1 0–1 0–1 1–2 0–1 2–1 3–0 2–1 0–1 2–1 0–2 0–1 2–3 2–1 2–0 2–2 0–3 1–1 3–1 1–1 0–0 1–3 1–1
    Milton Keynes Dons 2–0 1–0 2–0 1–0 4–1 2–1 3–1 2–1 0–1 3–3 0–0 0–0 2–1 2–0 1–2 1–1 1–0 0–3 2–3 2–0 1–2 1–1 1–0
    Morecambe 3–3 3–4 1–1 3–0 0–2 2–2 1–3 1–2 4–3 0–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–4 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–1 1–0 2–0 0–1 1–2 3–2
    Oxford United 5–1 3–0 2–3 4–1 4–2 2–1 1–1 1–0 1–1 3–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–0 3–1 1–3 3–2 0–0 3–2 2–0 1–2 2–3 0–0
    Plymouth Argyle 4–0 2–0 3–0 2–1 1–1 1–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–0 2–1 1–2 0–5 2–0 1–0 1–0 0–1 3–0 1–0 0–0 1–2 0–3
    Portsmouth 4–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 1–2 1–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 3–3 3–1 0–4 3–2 1–2 2–0 3–2 2–2 3–0 0–0 1–0 4–0 3–2 0–0
    Rotherham United 1–0 3–0 2–1 3–1 3–1 0–1 1–0 1–1 2–0 2–4 5–1 1–0 2–1 1–2 2–0 2–1 2–0 4–1 0–2 0–3 5–1 1–1 0–0
    Sheffield Wednesday 1–1 2–1 1–0 5–2 6–0 2–0 4–1 1–0 2–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 2–1 2–0 1–2 4–2 4–1 0–2 1–1 3–0 1–0 2–2
    Shrewsbury Town 0–0 2–1 0–1 0–1 4–1 1–0 3–1 1–1 3–3 1–1 2–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 5–0 1–2 0–3 1–2 0–0 1–0 1–1 0–3 1–2
    Sunderland 2–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 5–1 0–1 5–0 2–0 1–2 3–1 1–0 2–0 1–3 1–2 5–0 1–1 2–1 1–0 1–1 5–0 3–2 2–1 3–1
    Wigan Athletic 3–0 1–0 1–1 2–0 1–2 2–1 2–0 2–0 2–1 2–0 3–2 1–1 1–2 1–2 4–1 1–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 2–1 0–3 1–1
    Wycombe Wanderers 2–1 2–2 1–0 2–1 3–0 2–1 5–5 2–1 2–0 1–0 2–0 1–4 1–0 0–1 4–3 2–0 2–0 0–1 0–0 1–0 0–0 3–3 1–3
    Updated to match(es) played on 30 April 2022. Source: [1]
    Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
    For upcoming matches, an "a" indicates there is an article about the rivalry between the two participants.

    Season statistics

    As of 30 April 2022

    Top scorers

    Rank Player Club Goals
    1 Will Keane Wigan Athletic 26
    2 Ross Stewart Sunderland 24
    3 Alfie May Cheltenham Town 23
    Cole Stockton Morecambe
    5 Matty Taylor Oxford United 20
    Scott Twine Milton Keynes Dons
    7 Michael Smith Rotherham United 19
    8 Sam Vokes Wycombe Wanderers 16
    Lee Gregory Sheffield Wednesday
    Ryan Hardie Plymouth Argyle
    • Updated to match(es) played on 30 April 2022

    Monthly awards

    Month Manager of the Month Player of the Month Reference
    August Lee Johnson Sunderland Cole Stockton Morecambe [39]
    September Liam Manning Milton Keynes Dons [40]
    October Ryan Lowe Plymouth Argyle Michael Smith Rotherham United [41]
    November Danny Cowley Portsmouth Scott Twine Milton Keynes Dons [42]
    December Lee Johnson Sunderland Daniel Barlaser Rotherham United [43]
    January Liam Manning Milton Keynes Dons Michael Smith [44]
    February Paul Warne Rotherham United Alfie May Cheltenham Town [45]
    March Steven Schumacher Plymouth Argyle Barry Bannan Sheffield Wednesday [46]

    References

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    2. ^ "Sky Bet League One (Sky Sports)". Sky Sports.
    3. ^ "PRESTEC SIGNS TWO-YEAR DEAL TO BE BREWERS SHIRT SPONSORS". Burton Albion. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
    4. ^ "Robins and Mira Showers celebrate decade with new deal". CTFC.com. 3 January 2018.
    5. ^ "Virgin Wines to feature on Imps home shirt". Lincoln City F.C. 17 June 2021.
    6. ^ "Light Source are next shirt sponsors". Lincoln City Official Site. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
    7. ^ "Buildbase are next shirt sponsor". Lincoln City Official Site. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
    8. ^ "Club News The University of Lincoln Becomes the New Front-Of-Shirt Sponsor". Lincoln City Official Site. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
    9. ^ "Branston back the Imps as shirt sponsors". Lincoln City Official Site. 24 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
    10. ^ "Record kit deal announced". Morecambe F.C. 14 June 2021.
    11. ^ "Mazuma announced as front of shirt sponsor". Morecambe F.C. 18 June 2021.
    12. ^ "EB Charging become Front of Shirt Sponsor". Oxford United. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
    13. ^ "#ChairboysNewKit: Pre-order yours now!". Wycombe Wanderers F.C. 13 August 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
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    15. ^ a b "Richie Wellens: Doncaster Rovers appoint former Salford City boss as new manager". BBC Sport. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
    16. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT". www.morecambefc.com. 3 June 2021.
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    18. ^ "Russell Martin: MK Dons manager named Swansea City head coach". BBC Sport. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
    19. ^ "Liam Manning named Head Coach". www.mkdons.com. 13 August 2021.
    20. ^ "Nigel Adkins: Charlton Athletic sack manager after poor run". BBC Sport. 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
    21. ^ "Charlton appoint Johnnie Jackson as permanent manager after caretaker spell". BBC Sport. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
    22. ^ "Simon Grayson: Fleetwood Town manager leaves after eight-game winless run". BBC Sport. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
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    27. ^ "Kieran McKenna: Ipswich Town appoint Manchester United coach as new manager". BBC Sport. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
    28. ^ a b "Ryan Lowe: Preston appoint Plymouth manager, Steven Schumacher takes over at Argyle". BBC Sport. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
    29. ^ "Club Statement". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
    30. ^ "Neil Harris: Gillingham appoint former Millwall and Cardiff City boss as new manager". BBC Sport. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
    31. ^ "Lee Johnson leaves Sunderland AFC". safc.com. 30 January 2022. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
    32. ^ "Alex Neil: Sunderland appoint ex-Norwich and Preston boss as new head coach". BBC Sport. 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
    33. ^ "Stephen Robinson: Ex-Motherwell boss leaves Morecambe to become new St Mirren manager". BBC Sport. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
    34. ^ "Derek Adams returns". www.morecambefc.com. 24 February 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
    35. ^ "Mark Robinson: AFC Wimbledon head coach leaves club". BBC Sport. 28 March 2022. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
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    43. ^ "Your Sky Bet Manager and Player of the Month December winners!". www.efl.com. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022.
    44. ^ "January's Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month winners!".
    45. ^ "Your Sky Bet EFL February Manager and Player of the Month winners!".
    46. ^ "March's Sky Bet EFL Manager and Player of the Month winners". www.efl.com. 8 April 2022.