The Football League 2008–09 (named Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons), was the seventeenth season under its current league division format. It began in August 2008 and concluded in May 2009, with the promotion play-off finals.

The Football League is contested through three Divisions. The second divisions of these is League One. The winner and the runner up of League One will be automatically promoted to the Football League Championship and they will be joined by the winner of the League One playoff. The bottom four teams in the league will be relegated to the third division, League Two.

Leicester City played at this level for the first time in their history having spent all their time in the top two divisions. In the opposite direction, Hereford United made their first appearance in the third tier since 1978, after many seasons in non-league and lower-league football.

Contents 1 Changes from last season 1.1 From League One 1.2 To League One 2 League table 2.1 Play-offs 2.2 League One 3 Top scorers 4 Dubious goals panel 5 Key events 6 Stadia 7 Managerial changes 8 References

[edit] Changes from last season

[edit] From League One

Promoted to Championship

• Swansea City
• Nottingham Forest
• Doncaster Rovers

Relegated to League Two

• Bournemouth
• Gillingham
• Port Vale
• Luton Town

[edit] To League One

Relegated from Championship

• Leicester City
• Colchester United
• Scunthorpe United

Promoted from League Two

• Milton Keynes Dons
• Peterborough United
• Hereford United
• Stockport County

[edit] League table

P	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Leicester City  (C) (P)	46	27	15	4	84	39	+45	96	Promotion to Football League Championship 2009–10
2	Peterborough United  (P)	46	26	11	9	78	54	+24	89
3	Milton Keynes Dons	46	26	9	11	83	47	+36	87	Qualification to Football League One playoffs
4	Leeds United	46	26	6	14	77	49	+28	84
5	Millwall	46	25	7	14	63	53	+10	82
6	Scunthorpe United  (P) (O)	46	22	10	14	82	63	+19	76
7	Tranmere Rovers	46	21	11	14	62	49	+13	74
8	Southend United	46	21	8	17	58	61	−3	71
9	Huddersfield Town	46	18	14	14	62	65	−3	68
10	Oldham Athletic	46	16	17	13	66	65	+1	65
11	Bristol Rovers	46	17	12	17	79	61	+18	63
12	Colchester United	46	18	9	19	58	58	0	63
13	Walsall	46	17	10	19	61	66	−5	61
14	Leyton Orient	46	15	11	20	45	57	−12	56
15	Swindon Town	46	12	17	17	68	71	−3	53
16	Brighton & Hove Albion	46	13	13	20	55	70	−15	52
17	Yeovil Town	46	12	15	19	41	66	−25	51
18	Stockport County	46	16	12	18	59	57	+2	050*
19	Hartlepool United	46	13	11	22	66	79	−13	50
20	Carlisle United	46	12	14	20	56	69	−13	50
21	Northampton Town  (R)	46	12	13	21	61	65	−4	49	Relegation to League Two
22	Crewe Alexandra  (R)	46	12	10	24	59	82	−23	46
23	Cheltenham Town  (R)	46	9	12	25	51	91	−40	39
24	Hereford United  (R)	46	9	7	30	42	79	−37	34

Updated to games played on 2 May 2009
Source: The Football League
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd goal difference; 3rd goals scored.
^* Stockport County deducted 10 points^[1];
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (Q) = Qualified to respective phase of tournament; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.

[edit] Play-offs

	Semi-finals							Final
	6	Scunthorpe United	1	0 (7)	1
	3	Milton Keynes Dons	1	0 (6)	1
								6	Scunthorpe United	3
								5	Millwall	2
	5	Millwall	1	1	2
	4	Leeds United	0	1	1

[edit] League One

Home \ Away1

BHA

BRR

CLU

CHL

COL

CRW

HPL

HER

HUD

LEE

LEI

LEY

MIL

MKD

NHT

OLD

PET

SCU

SOU

SPC

SWI

TRA

WAL

YEO

Brighton & Hove Albion

1–1

0–2

3–3

1–2

0–4

2–1

0–0

0–1

0–2

3–2

0–0

4–1

2–4

1–1

3–1

2–4

1–4

1–3

1–0

2–3

0–0

0–1

5–0

Bristol Rovers

1–2

2–3

3–2

0–0

0–0

4–1

6–1

1–2

2–2

0–1

2–1

4–2

1–2

1–0

2–0

0–1

1–2

4–2

2–0

2–2

2–0

1–3

3–0

Carlisle United

3–1

1–1

1–0

0–2

4–2

0–1

1–2

3–0

0–2

1–2

1–3

2–0

3–2

1–1

1–1

3–3

1–1

2–1

1–2

1–1

1–2

1–1

4–1

Cheltenham Town

2–2

2–1

1–1

4–3

1–0

2–0

2–3

1–2

0–1

0–4

0–1

1–3

3–5

0–1

1–1

3–6

1–2

0–0

2–2

2–0

1–0

0–0

1–0

Colchester United

0–1

0–1

5–0

3–1

0–1

1–1

1–2

0–0

0–1

0–1

1–0

1–2

0–3

2–1

2–2

0–1

0–0

0–1

1–0

3–2

0–1

0–2

1–0

Crewe Alexandra

1–2

1–1

1–2

1–2

2–0

0–0

2–1

3–1

2–3

0–3

0–2

0–1

2–2

1–3

0–3

1–1

3–2

3–4

0–3

1–0

2–1

2–1

2–0

Hartlepool United

1–0

1–1

2–2

4–1

4–2

1–4

4–2

5–3

0–1

2–2

0–1

2–3

1–3

2–0

3–3

1–2

2–3

3–0

0–1

3–3

2–1

2–2

0–0

Hereford United

1–2

0–3

1–0

3–0

0–2

2–0

1–1

0–1

2–0

1–3

2–1

0–2

0–1

0–2

5–0

0–1

1–2

0–1

0–1

1–1

2–2

0–0

1–2

Huddersfield Town

2–2

1–1

1–0

2–2

2–2

3–2

1–1

2–0

1–0

2–3

0–1

1–2

1–3

3–2

1–1

1–0

2–0

0–1

1–1

2–1

1–2

2–1

0–0

Leeds United

3–1

2–2

0–2

2–0

1–2

5–2

4–1

1–0

1–2

1–1

2–1

2–0

2–0

3–0

0–2

3–1

3–2

2–0

1–0

1–0

3–1

3–0

4–0

Leicester City

0–0

2–1

2–2

4–0

1–1

2–1

1–0

2–1

4–2

1–0

3–0

0–1

2–0

0–0

0–0

4–0

2–2

3–0

1–1

1–1

3–1

2–2

1–0

Leyton Orient

2–1

1–2

0–0

1–2

2–1

1–0

1–0

2–1

1–1

2–2

1–3

0–0

1–2

1–3

2–1

2–3

2–2

1–1

0–3

1–2

0–1

0–1

0–1

Millwall

0–1

3–2

1–0

2–0

0–1

0–0

2–0

1–0

2–1

3–1

0–1

2–1

0–4

1–0

2–3

2–0

1–2

1–1

1–0

1–1

1–0

3–1

1–1

Milton Keynes Dons

2–0

2–1

3–1

3–1

1–1

2–2

3–1

3–0

1–1

3–1

2–2

1–2

0–1

1–0

6–2

1–2

0–2

2–0

1–2

1–2

1–0

0–1

3–0

Northampton Town

2–2

0–0

1–0

4–2

1–2

5–1

1–0

2–1

1–1

2–1

1–2

1–1

0–0

0–1

0–1

1–1

3–3

2–3

4–0

3–4

1–1

0–2

3–0

Oldham Athletic

1–1

0–2

0–0

4–0

0–1

1–1

2–1

4–0

1–1

1–1

1–1

1–1

4–3

2–0

2–1

1–2

3–0

1–1

3–1

0–0

0–2

3–2

0–2

Peterborough United

0–0

5–4

1–0

1–1

2–1

4–2

1–2

2–0

4–0

2–0

2–0

3–0

1–0

0–0

1–0

2–2

2–1

1–2

1–0

2–2

2–2

1–0

1–3

Scunthorpe United

2–0

0–2

2–1

3–0

3–0

3–0

3–0

3–0

1–2

1–2

1–2

2–1

3–2

0–1

4–4

2–0

1–0

1–1

2–1

3–3

1–1

1–1

2–0

Southend United

0–2

1–0

3–0

2–0

3–3

0–1

3–2

1–0

0–1

1–0

0–2

3–0

0–1

0–2

1–0

1–2

1–0

2–0

1–1

2–1

2–1

2–0

0–1

Stockport County

2–0

3–1

3–0

1–0

1–2

4–3

2–1

4–1

1–1

1–3

0–0

0–1

2–2

0–1

1–1

3–1

1–3

0–3

3–1

1–1

0–0

1–2

0–0

Swindon Town

0–2

2–1

1–1

2–2

1–3

0–0

0–1

3–0

1–3

1–3

2–2

0–1

1–2

1–1

2–1

2–0

2–2

4–2

3–0

1–1

3–1

3–2

2–3

Tranmere Rovers

1–0

2–0

4–1

2–0

3–4

2–0

1–0

2–1

3–1

2–1

2–0

0–0

1–3

1–1

4–1

0–1

1–1

2–0

2–2

2–1

1–0

2–1

1–1

Walsall

3–0

0–5

2–1

1–1

2–0

1–1

2–3

1–1

2–3

1–0

1–4

0–2

1–2

0–3

3–1

1–2

1–2

2–1

5–2

1–0

2–1

0–1

2–0

Yeovil Town

1–1

2–2

1–1

1–1

0–2

3–2

2–3

2–2

1–0

1–1

0–2

0–0

2–0

0–0

1–0

2–2

0–1

1–2

1–2

2–4

1–0

1–0

1–1

Source: The Football League
¹The home team is listed in the left-hand column.
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.
For coming matches, an a indicates there is an article about the match.

[edit] Top scorers

Correct as of 8 May 2009^[2]

Pos	Player	Club	Goals
1	Rickie Lambert	Bristol Rovers	29
	Simon Cox	Swindon Town
3	Matty Fryatt	Leicester City	27
	Jermaine Beckford	Leeds United
5	Gary Hooper	Scunthorpe United	24
6	Craig Mackail-Smith	Peterborough United	23
7	Lee Hughes	Oldham Athletic	18
	Aaron McLean	Peterborough United
	Joel Porter	Hartlepool United
10	Paul Hayes	Scunthorpe United	17

[edit] Dubious goals panel

• On 30 August 2008 Leeds drew 2-2 with Bristol Rovers. The first goal was a Jermaine Beckford shot which deflected off Steven Elliot. The goal was originally an Elliot own goal, but was later awarded to Beckford.

• On 07 April 2009 Leyton Orient drew 2-2 with Leeds United. Leyton Orient's first goal was from a Sean Thornton Free Kick but it took a slight deflection from Simon Church on its way in. BBC Sport awarded the goal to Sean Thornton but it is still unclear what the final decision will be regarding the actual scorer. Church later claimed the goal and stated that he definitely got a vital touch on the ball.

• On 11 April 2009 Leyton Orient beat Colchester United 2-1. Leyton Orient's second goal was credited to Jimmy Smith, but it looked to have been put over the line by Scott McGleish, but it is unclear what the decision on the goalscorer will be at present.

[edit] Key events

30 April 2009 - Stockport County are docked 10 points by the FA for entering administration

[edit] Stadia

Team	Stadium	Capacity
Leeds United	Elland Road	39,460
Leicester City	Walkers Stadium	32,500
Huddersfield Town	Galpharm Stadium	24,500
Milton Keynes Dons	stadium:mk	22,000
Millwall	The New Den	20,146
Carlisle United	Brunton Park Stadium	16,981
Tranmere Rovers	Prenton Park	16,567
Swindon Town	The County Ground	15,728
Peterborough United	London Road Stadium	15,460
Southend United	Roots Hall	12,306
Bristol Rovers	Memorial Stadium	11,916
Walsall	Bescot Stadium	11,300
Stockport County	Edgeley Park	10,651
Oldham Athletic	Boundary Park	10,638
Crewe Alexandra	Alexandra Stadium	10,046
Colchester United	Colchester Community Stadium	10,000
Yeovil Town	Huish Park	9,978
Leyton Orient	Brisbane Road	9,271
Scunthorpe United	Glanford Park	9,183
Brighton & Hove Albion	Withdean Stadium	8,850
Hartlepool United	Victoria Park	7,691
Northampton Town	Sixfields Stadium	7,653
Cheltenham Town	Whaddon Road	7,408
Hereford United	Edgar Street	7,100

[edit] Managerial changes

Team	Outgoing manager	Manner of departure	Date of vacancy	Replaced by	Date of appointment	Position in table
Milton Keynes Dons	Paul Ince	Signed by Blackburn Rovers (mutual consent)	22 June 2008[3]	Roberto Di Matteo	2 July 2008[4]	Pre-season
Cheltenham Town	Keith Downing	Mutual consent	13 September 2008[5]	Martin Allen	15 September 2008[6]	24th
Colchester United	Geraint Williams	Mutual consent	22 September 2008[7]	Paul Lambert	24 September 2008[8]	23rd
Carlisle United	John Ward	Mutual consent	3 November 2008[9]	Greg Abbott	5 December 2008[10]	20th
Huddersfield Town	Stan Ternent	Mutual consent	4 November 2008[11]	Lee Clark	11 December 2008[12]	16th
Swindon Town	Maurice Malpas	Mutual consent	14 November 2008[13]	Danny Wilson	26 December 2008[14]	16th
Crewe Alexandra	Steve Holland	Contract terminated[15]	18 November 2008[16]	Guðjón Þórðarson	24 December 2008[17]	24th
Hartlepool United	Danny Wilson	Contract terminated	15 December 2008[18]			13th
Leeds United	Gary McAllister	Contract terminated	21 December 2008[19]	Simon Grayson	23 December 2008[20]	9th
Walsall	Jimmy Mullen	Contract terminated	10 January 2009[21]	Chris Hutchings	20 January 2009[22]	12th
Leyton Orient	Martin Ling	Mutual Consent	18 January 2009[23]	Geraint Williams	5 February 2009[24]	21st
Yeovil Town	Russell Slade	Contract terminated	16 February 2009[25]	Terry Skiverton	18 February 2009[26]	16th
Brighton & Hove Albion	Micky Adams	Contract terminated	21 February 2009[27]	Russell Slade	6 March 2009[28]	21st
Oldham Athletic	John Sheridan	Mutual Consent	15 March 2009[29]	Joe Royle	15 March 2009[30]	8th

[edit] References

v • d • e 2008–09 in English football « 2007–08 2009–10 » FA competitions FA Cup (Qualifying Rounds) · Community Shield · FA Trophy Premier League and Football League Premier League · Football League (Championship · League One · League Two) · League Cup · Football League Trophy Football Conference Football Conference (National · North · South) · Conference League Cup Lower leagues Northern Premier League · Southern Football League · Isthmian League European competitions Champions League · UEFA Cup · Intertoto Cup · Super Cup Related to national team 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA Group 6) · Fabio Capello   Team seasons Premier League Arsenal · Aston Villa · Blackburn Rovers · Bolton Wanderers · Chelsea · Everton · Fulham · Hull City · Liverpool · Manchester City · Manchester United · Middlesbrough · Newcastle United · Portsmouth · Stoke City · Sunderland · Tottenham Hotspur · West Ham United · Wigan Athletic Championship Birmingham City · Blackpool · Burnley · Cardiff City · Coventry City · Crystal Palace · Derby County · Norwich City · Nottingham Forest · Queens Park Rangers · Reading · Swansea City League One Brighton & Hove Albion · Bristol Rovers · Crewe Alexandra · Huddersfield Town · Leeds United · Millwall · Oldham Athletic League Two Aldershot Town · Bradford City · Gillingham · Grimsby Town · Luton Town · Football Conference Eastbourne Borough · Ebbsfleet United · Gateshead · Stevenage Borough · Torquay United · York City   Awards PFA Players' Player of the Year Ryan Giggs PFA Young Player of the Year Ashley Young FWA Footballer of the Year Steven Gerrard Ballon d'Or Cristiano Ronaldo FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo Summer 2008 transfers · Winter 2008–09 transfers