We take a look into each of the 23 Sky Bet League One teams we’ll be coming up against in the 2022/23 season.
Ipswich Town
History
Ipswich Town was founded in 1878. The club won the First Division in 1962 and the FA Cup in 1978. Their 1980-81 season was a particularly impressive one after winning the UEFA Cup and finishing second in the First Division.
Stadium
The Tractor Boys have called Portman Road their home since 1884. It’s an all-seater stadium with a current capacity of 30,311. In 2003, the stadium hosted an international friendly between England and Croatia where goals courtesy of David Beckham, Michael Owen and Frank Lampard ensured a win for the Three Lions. .
Manager
Boss Kieran McKenna joined Ipswich in December 2021. The 36- year-old was previously Assistant Manager and U18s boss at Manchester United. Since arriving at Portman Road, the former-Tottenham Hotspur youth player boasts a win percentage of 47.8%.
One to watch
27-year-old Wes Burns finished last season as the Tractor Boys’ top scorer with 13 goals. The winger came through the youth setup at Bristol City and played over 140 games for Fleetwood Town before making the move to Suffolk in June 2021.
Last season
Ipswich Town finished 11th last season, 10 points outside the Play-Off positions. Kieran McKenna’s men recorded 18 victories, 16 draws and 12 defeats, scoring 67 goals and conceding 46.
Lincoln City
History
The club was founded in 1884 and turned professional seven years later. In the 2016-17 season, Nicky and Danny Cowley lead the club to the Quarter-Finals of the FA Cup- the same season in which they won promotion back to the Football League. The Imps went on to win the EFL Trophy in 2018 and then the League Two title the following season.
Stadium
The LNER Stadium, better known as Sincil Bank, has been the home of the Imps since 1895. It’s an all-seater stadium which has a current capacity of 10,120. The club are currently looking at the possibility of redeveloping Sincil Bank or building a new stadium.
Manager
Mark Kennedy was appointed to succeed Michael Appleton after he made the move to Blackpool. The 46-year-old played in the Premier League with a number of clubs, including Liverpool and Wimbledon. He was Assistant Manager at Birmingham City under Lee Bowyer and spent a brief spell in charge at Macclesfield in 2020.
One to watch
Right-back Regan Poole joined the Imps in January 2021 from MK Dons. Poole has represented Wales U21s on more than 20 occasions. The 24-year-old scooped two Player of the Year trophies at the club’s end-of-season awards.
Last season
The Imps had a difficult season, finishing 17th on 52 points. They recorded 14 wins, 10 draws and 22 defeats, finishing with a goal difference of -8.
Milton Keynes Dons
History
The club was founded in 2004 following the relocation of Wimbledon. They won both the Football League Trophy and the League Two title in 2008. Seven years later, Karl Robinson guided MK Dons to the Championship, but the Buckinghamshire-based club were relegated back down to the third tier the following season.
Stadium
Stadium MK is an all-seater ground which holds 30,500. It’s been the home of MK Dons since 2007. Beforehand, they played at the National Hockey Stadium.
Manager
Head coach Liam Manning began his coaching career with Ipswich Town before managing West Ham U23s. In July 2020, Manning became manager of Belgian second-tier side Lommel SK. The 36-year-old joined MK Dons in August 2021 and has taken charge of 54 games, recording a win percentage of 53.7%.
One to watch
With his rehabilitation still underway, Mo Eisa could be one to watch once he’s back fit. The 27-year-old, who arrived from Peterborough United, was enjoying an impressive debut season at the club before a serious injury cut his season short. He contributed with 12 goals for the club last season.
Last season
Liam Manning’s side enjoyed an impressive year, finishing third on 89 points, just a point behind Rotherham in second. They were beaten in the Play-Off Semi-Final by Wycombe Wanderers.
MK Dons will be looking to go one better next year but they will be without last season’s club and division player of the year Scott Twine, who joined Burnley on a four-year-deal for an undisclosed fee.
Oxford United
History
The club was founded in 1893 as Headington United. Since 1960, they’ve been known as Oxford United. The U’s won promotion to the First Division in 1986 whilst winning the League Cup in the same season. 20 years later, the club found themselves playing in the Conference and, after promotions in 2010 and 2016 respectively, they find themselves in League One.
Stadium
The Kassam Stadium has been the home of Oxford United since 2001 when they moved from their previous home of 76 years, the Manor Ground. It has a capacity of 12,500 across three stands - two wing stands and one behind the goal.
Manager
Former MK Dons and Charlton Athletic boss Karl Robinson arrived at United in March 2018. In 2015, the 41-year-old won MK Dons promotion to the Championship after guiding the club to a second place finish. During his time with Oxford, the club have reached the Play-Offs twice, but have come unstuck on both occasions.
He’s managed 232 games for the club and has a win percentage of 42.2%.
One to watch
26-year-old Cameron Brannagan will be one to watch again for the U’s. In 2015, the Liverpool academy product made his senior debut for the Reds when he came on as a substitute in the Europa League. By the end of the season, Brannagan made nine first-team appearances in all competitions, including a Premier League start. The 26-year-old spent time on loan at Fleetwood Town in 2017 before joining the U's in January the following year.
Last season
Oxford United finished the campaign in eighth place on 76 points. Karl Robinson’s men recorded 22 wins, 10 draws and 14 defats which left them seven points short of the Play-Offs.