Following today’s play-off final at Wembley Stadium, which saw Oldham Athletic triumph 3-2 over Southend United and claim their place in Sky Bet League 2, the National League’s make-up for 2025-26 has now been completed.
In front of a stadium record crowd of 52,115 for a National League final, the Shrimpers drew first blood inside five minutes when Manny Monthe put through his own net.
But in the early stages of the second stanza, Oldham, a founder member of the Premier League back in 1992, restored parity through Joe Garner’s coolly taken penalty.
The game’s pendulum then swung back and forwards, but neither team could score a decisive second goal and the match headed into extra-time.
Southend drew first blood during the additional first period with former Slough midfielder Leon Chambers-Parillion, who turned out for the Rebels against City last November, finding the mark.
Once again, though, Oldham fought back with substitute pair Oliver Norwood and Kian Harrett sealing the Latics’ return to the EFL after a three season absence.
They will join Barnet in League Two next term, after the Bees lifted the National League title last month, edging out York who finished second and fell at the play-off semi-final stage.
The two promoted teams will be replaced by Carlisle United and Morecambe, who both fell through the EFL’s relegation trapdoor.
The Cumbrians will play outside of the EFL pyramid for just the second time in their history, since joining in 1928. The last time they played National League football was in 2004-05 and after finishing third, defeated Stevenage Borough 1-0 in the play-off final, held at Stoke City’s then titled Britannia Stadium.
Morecambe, meanwhile, saw their 18-year EFL sojourn ended as they propped up the rest in League Two – the second relegation the Lancashire outfit have suffered in three seasons.
Coming up from Step Two, along with City are Boreham Wood, who bounced back from relegation in 23-24 at the first attempt.
Luke Garrad’s side defied the odds to beat Dorking and Torquay in the play-off quarter and semi-finals, before defeating Maidstone United in the final.
From National League North, Scunthorpe were play-off winners against another former league side in Chester.
The Iron, who were plying their trade in the Championship just 14 years ago, appear to once again be upwardly mobile after a tumultuous past few campaigns.
Completing the promotions to Step One are Brackley Town, for so long the nearly men of National League North, they recovered from losing the play-off final to Boston United 12 months ago, to claim the league title in 2024-25.
The four promoted sides take the place of those relegated with three teams dropping down to National League South and one to the North.
Ebsfleet’s penchant for yo-yoing between Step One and Two continues as they were the National League’s basement dwellers, with Dagenham & Redbridge and Maidenhead United also going down.
AFC Fylde, who were just 90 minutes away from the Football League and lost in the play-off final to Salford in 2019, were the fourth relegated team.
National League 2025-26:
Aldershot, Altrincham, Boreham Wood, Boston United, Brackley Town, Braintree Town, Carlisle United, Eastleigh, Forest Green Rovers, Gateshead, Halifax Town, Hartlepool United, Morecambe, Rochdale, Scunthorpe United, Solihull Moors, Southend United, Sutton United, Tamworth, Truro City, Wealdstone, Woking, Yeovil Town, York City.
Bold denotes a team Truro have never faced previously.
