Wrexham hope for quick return to League

Relegated Wrexham are hopeful for a quick return to League Two but as Hereford United, when they were relegated in 1997, soon found out it's not always that easy.

Below is an edited list from icwales of how long some clubs took:

1989 - DARLINGTON

One of only three clubs to bounce straight back, ironically, under Brian Little. Have rarely been in trouble since, and are guaranteed a League Two play-off spot this season.

1990 - COLCHESTER UNITED

Regained their status two years later, and secured promotion to the Championship for the first time in their history in 2006. Back in League One next season.

1991 - WREXHAM

Although Brian Flynn’s side finished in last place, they were spared relegation as part of a re-organisation of the Football League structure.

1992 - CARLISLE UNITED

The Cumbrians were spared due to Aldershot and Maidstone United resigning from the league.

1993 and 2002 - HALIFAX TOWN

The Shaymen had to wait five years for promotion, only to suffer relegation again in 2002. Need to win their last game of the season on Saturday to retain their Blue Square Premier status.

1994 - NORTHAMPTON TOWN, 1995 EXETER CITY 1996 TORQUAY UNITED

All spared the drop due to none of the Conference champions meeting Football League ground criteria

1997 - HEREFORD UNITED

Finished as Conference runners-up in 2003-04 and 2004-05, before regaining their league status via the play-offs the following season. On the verge of promotion to third tier of British football for the first time in 30 years.

1998 - DONCASTER ROVERS

Like Halifax, promoted back to Division Three, as it was then called, after a five-year absence, going up to League One as champions the following season. Have automatic promotion to the Championship in their sights this year.

1999 - SCARBOROUGH UNITED

Twelve years after their election, they suffered relegation, a last-minute goal by Carlisle United goalkeeper Jimmy Glass sealing their fate. The 2005-06 season saw them drop into the Conference North with a 10-point penalty for entering administration, and a 20th-placed finish would have condemned them to Northern League football, had they not been wound up in the High Court in June 2007 with debts of £2.5m.

2000 - CHESTER CITY

Wrexham’s fiercest rivals won the Conference in 2004 and rejoined the league where they have struggled ever since. Still not clear of danger with two games to go this season.

2001 - BARNET

Like Chester, the Bees took four years to bounce back, winning the Conference title in 2005 after managing fourth place the previous year. Mid-table security has been achieved in the last three years.

2003 - SHREWSBURY TOWN

Repeated Darlington’s trick in returning immediately as champions, and although achieved seventh-place last season, are not mathematically safe this time around. (Bulls News note: They actually won the play-offs in 2004)

2004 - CARLISLE UNITED and YORK CITY

Carlisle managed to sneak up via the play-offs one year later, winning the League Two title the next season. Eighth place in League One last season has been followed by a concerted promotion push, making United an ideal blueprint for Wrexham to follow.

The Minstermen missed off via the play-offs last year, and are currently in mid-table in the Blue Square Premier.

2005 - CAMBRIDGE UNITED and KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS

After struggling to find their feet, the Us have secured a play-off spot this season, while Kidderminster continue to plug away in mid-table.

2006 - RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS and OXFORD UNITED

Two of the best stadia in League Two meant nothing as both teams dropped out of the league. Rushden had only been promoted in 2001 and had achieved League One status, while Oxford had graced the old First Division as recently as 1988, lifting the League Cup the same year.

Neither have set the Blue Square Premier alight.

2007 - BOSTON UNITED and TORQUAY UNITED

A 10-point penalty for entering voluntary administration sealed Boston’s fate, and they were punished further and forced to restart non-league life in Conference North last August, where they are currently 11th.

Torquay have re-emerged with a vengeance, securing a play-off place and booking an FA Trophy final date with Blue Square Premier champions Aldershot Town.

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