We have taken a look at the League One league leaders at Christmas from the past 12 years and listed their final positions.
The 2020/21 season started later than it usually would do due to the coronavirus pandemic halting the previous campaign, hence why we’re only just approaching the halfway point for the current.
We can all hope that it can get back to how it should be for the 2021/22 season, however there will be a change it dates and schedules for the 2022/23 season with the Qatar World Cup taking place in two years time.
Many teams have had the honour of being top of the table for the festive period, though we’ve seen several other teams failing to keep their number 1 spot before slipping down the league.
Right, time to check out the League One league leaders at Christmas from the past 12 years and their final positions…
2008 – LEICESTER CITY
In the 2008/09 season, it was Leicester City who were top of the League One table at Christmas under Nigel Pearson.
They ended up finishing in 1st with 96 points and were crowned champions having never played at this tier of football in their history. Peterborough were 2nd with 89 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the Foxes sit 2nd in the Premier League table, picking up 27 points from 14 games.
Leicester City – League One Champions (2009) #LCFC pic.twitter.com/Df912ynXiQ
— Filbert Street (@FiIbertStreet) July 15, 2018
2009 – LEEDS UNITED
In the 2009/10 season, Simon Grayson’s Leeds United were top of League One at Christmas, in what was their third consecutive season in the third tier.
They ended up finishing in 2nd with 86 points and were promoted to the Championship. Norwich were champions with 95 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the Whites sit 14th in the Premier League table, picking up 17 points from 14 games.
6 years ago today, Beckford scored the vital goal as Leeds were promoted with a 2-1 win vs Bristol Rovers! #lufc pic.twitter.com/UiHLe7RCAy
— YBI (@YeboahBelieveIt) May 8, 2016
2010 – BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
In the 2010/11 season, Gus Poyet guided Brighton & Hove Albion were top of League One at Christmas.
They ended up finishing in 1st with 95 points and were crowned champions. Southampton were second with 92 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the Seagulls sit 17th in the Premier League table, picking up 12 points from 14 games.
#BHAFC lift the 2011 League One title. #BackToTheFutureDay pic.twitter.com/IyaxZ2J14I
— Brighton & Hove Albion ⚽️ (@OfficialBHAFC) October 21, 2015
2011 – CHARLTON ATHLETIC
In the 2011/12 season, it was good times for Chris Powell’s Charlton Athletic who managed to go top of League One at Christmas.
They ended up finishing in 1st with 101 points and were crowned champions. Sheffield Wednesday were 2nd with 93 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the Addicks sit 7th in the League One table, picking up 31 points from 17 games.
CAFC League One Champions 2011/12!! Congrats to all at the club – what a season! #cafc @CAFCofficial pic.twitter.com/wh7F6Tzf
— Rob Sturley (@sturleydog) April 21, 2012
2012 – SHEFFIELD UNITED
In the 2012/13 season, it was the other Sheffield based club Sheffield United who were top of League One at Christmas.
It went awfully after that however, finding themselves in 5th place with 75 points and lost in the playoff semi final to Yeovil Town. Doncaster were champions with 84 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the Blades sit 20th in the Premier League table, picking up 2 points from 14 games.
FT Yeovil 2-0 Sheffield United. Gary Johnson takes his side to Wembley. Fans stream onto the pitch #ytfc #sufc pic.twitter.com/oaX8LY9mlP
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) May 6, 2013
2013 – LEYTON ORIENT
In the 2013/14 season, it was the turn of Leyton Orient to go storming to the top of League One at Christmas.
They ended up finishing in 3rd place with 86 points and lost in the playoff final to Rotherham United. Wolves were crowned champions with 103 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the O’s sit 12th in the League Two table, picking up 27 points from 19 games.
Rotherham are promoted to the @SkyBetChamp after beating Leyton Orient on penalties in the #league1playofffinal pic.twitter.com/6BHPFjrmED
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 25, 2014
2014 – BRISTOL CITY
In the 2014/15 season, yet another team was leading the table. Bristol City were top of League One at Christmas and this time they didn’t slip up unlike others mentioned in this article.
They ended up finishing in 1st with 99 points and were crowned champions. MK Dons finished 2nd with 91 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the Robins sit 9th in the Championship table, picking up 30 points from 20 games.
GALLERY: Enjoy the celebrations as #BristolCity become champions of @SkyBetLeague1 https://t.co/T7eqoCM7VP pic.twitter.com/OLyqzUzqFA
— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) April 18, 2015
2015 – BURTON ALBION
In the 2015/16 season, it was Burton Albion’s first season in the third tier of English football and they went top of League One at Christmas.
They ended up finishing in 2nd place with 85 points and promoted to the Championship. Wigan were crowned champions with 87 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the Brewers sit 24th in the League One table, picking up 13 points from 19 games.
Wow. What an achievement. #BAFCandProud #promoted @burtonalbionfc pic.twitter.com/J5JsRzAP7Z
— Matt Hancock (@MattHank4) May 8, 2016
2016 – SCUNTHORPE UNITED
In the 2016/17 season, Graham Alexander guided his side Scunthorpe United to the top of League One at Christmas.
They ended up finishing in 3rd with 82 points and lost in the playoff semi final to Millwall. Sheffield United were champions with 100 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the Iron sit 19th in the League Two table, picking up 20 points from 18 games.
⚽️ Match Report: Iron 2-3 Millwall (2-3 agg) – https://t.co/CNjv9IJMoQ pic.twitter.com/ncSkNw2YF2
— Scunthorpe United FC (@SUFCOfficial) May 7, 2017
2017 – WIGAN ATHLETIC
In the 2017/18 season, Paul Cook’s Wigan Athletic were top of League One at Christmas in what was a superb campaign for them.
They ended up finishing in 1st and were crowned champions with 98 points. Blackburn were 2nd with 96 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and the Latics sit 23rd in the League One table, picking up 15 points from 18 games.
Your 2015-16 @SkyBetLeague1 CHAMPIONS! #wafc pic.twitter.com/J4Lm6idMXc
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) May 8, 2016
2018 – PORTSMOUTH
In the 2018/19 season, Portsmouth fans were loving life when their club were top of League One at Christmas.
Miserably however, they ended up finishing in 4th with 88 points and lost to Sunderland in the playoff semi final. Luton were champions with 94 points.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and Pompey sit 1st in the League One table, picking up 35 points from 19 games.
They’ve done it!
Luton Town are League One champions.
More: https://t.co/XFEeatxKvk pic.twitter.com/5XjGqZr1Lo
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 4, 2019
2019 – WYCOMBE
In the 2019/20 season, Gareth Ainsworth’s Chairboys were top of League One at Christmas and couldn’t believe their luck.
They slipped down the table, though ended up finishing in 4thwith the league standings based on PPG, however beat Oxford United in the playoff semi final. Coventry City were champions returning to the Championship.
Fast forward to the 2020/21 season and they sit 24th in the Championship table, picking up 12 points from 20 games.
The current League One leaders for the 2020/21 season is Portsmouth, who are level on points with 2nd place Lincoln City and are one point ahead of Hull City in third. Will Pompey win promotion to the Championship next year? Let us know by commenting on our Facebook page!
We’ve also taken a look at the Champio leaders at Christmas and their final positions, check it out HERE.
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