Welcome to League 2: Accrington Stanley - Bromley

Following last season's relegation out of League One, the U's will play in England's 4th division with the sole aim to get promoted. With a long gruelling season ahead, we look at our opposition until May.

Accrington Stanley

Located just outside Blackburn in the north west of the country, Accrington Stanley call The Wham home. With a small capacity of just 5,450 Stanley aim to create a feirce atmosphere for opposition teams. The current Accrington Stanley started in 1968 from the collapse of the former Accrington Stanley which was founded in 1891. Since the late 60's Stanley have had a great rise up the pyramid and announcing themselves as a solid League 2 side. Their highest league position is 11th in League One which they achieved in the 2020-2021 season thanks to Dion Charles up front. They are most famous for a tv advert in the 80's which is widely known around all generations across the country. The milk advert convinced the public to drink milk as without this Ian Rush wouldn't even be playing for Accrington Stanley. The advert was so popular everytime Stanley came up on Soccer AM they would refrence this iconic advert. Accrington Stanley retired the number 29 for forward Billy Kee who spent 2 stints with them and retired from football due to mental health battles. At the helm to start the season is John Doolan. A first managerial job for the scouser isn't proving too much with a 26.6% win rate with a releagtion battling side. I'd expect them to be in a similar position to last year but they should manage to survive in League Two for at least one more season.

Credit: @ASFCofficial on X

Barnet

The Bees had a fantastic campaign last season, winning the National League finishing on 102 points and losing just 6 times. Their home form is something to be jealous of with their home fans not seeing a single league loss all season. The Hive Stadium is likely to cause lots of problems for all visitors as the bees aim to carry their momentum into next season. Founded 137 years ago in 1888 Barnet have been around for a long time but have only managed a 24th place in Divison 2 in the 93-94 season. The bees have been most famous for signing Edgar Davids as player manager in 2012. Led by manager Dean Brennan who climbed through the non league ranks across the 2010s and has called Barnet home since 2021. This is his hardest challenge as of yet with Barnet's highest step up for many seasons and Brennan's highest level of his managerial career. Barnet are a fairly unknown entirety going into this 25-26 League Two campaign but if they can keep their momentum they can finish in a lofty midtable position.

Credit: Sky Sports

Barrow AFC

Located just outside Loughborough Barrow AFC finished 16th last season. The Bluebirds play their games at Holker Street with a capacity of 6,500. Barrow were founded in 1901 and since have been a fairly poor side. Their highest finish was in 1967-68 when they finished 8th in Division 3. They then spent 48 season playing in the top divisons of non league. However have spent the recent few seasons in league 2. They have established themselves as a League 2 outfit with a fairly consistent expectation which I don't see changing. Under the leadership of Andy Whing since January 2025 they have won 8 of their 21 games with a +7 goal difference. Barrow will aim to finish well above relegation however they will be unable to challenge for promotion and are likely to finish in the bottom half of the table again. They seem to add to the long list of very average teams in League 2 that struggle to get U's fans excited for.

Credit: @BarrowAFC on X

Bristol Rovers

Rovers are a side that joined us in our relegation from League One last season. The gas are one of the sides tipped to go up with their odds at 14/1 to go up. With the right additions through the door there's no reason why the couldn't regain their League One staus. The Gas have resigned manager Darrell Clarke who has been on record to being an advocate of adaptability and is strongly against having rigid tactics and formations. This could be vital for Bristol Rovers as they will be a force in a pretty shambolic League 2. Bristol Rovers have matched the U's in recent years and will be a familiar foe once again.

Credit: @Official_BRFC on X

Bromley FC

Bromley had a fantastic season last season finishing in 11th which may have led to a few nosebleeds from some of the 5,150 fans at Hayes Lane. Micheal Cheek was on fire last season but after months of rumours hinting at his exit, Bromley's future next season is a mystery. Cheek finished top goalscorer in League 2 with 25 goals. He has attracted interest from MK Dons, Wigan, Barnsley and many others across League One and Two. Founded in 1892 it has taken the Lillywhites a while to reach the professional divison however they are here now and they can cause every team in the division problems. Their great rise in the last 4 years has been due to former Northampton and Oxford goalkeeper Andy Woodman who has worked wonders for the South London side. Bromley is an away day for many U's fans that mean a day out in London which is rarely turned down by the travelling Amber Army. The U's travel down to the capital on the 18th of April to take all 3 points away from the high flying Lillywhites.

Credit: @bromleyfc on X