“CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? » The commentators on the local BBC station are screaming until they lose their vocal cords, and that’s right. After the already crazy scenario of last weekend and a meeting between the top two in the championship as a final this Saturday, it was said that the outcome of this English National League season (equivalent to D5) would be totally crazy. He was even more than that.
108 points against 106
York City, leaders at kick-off, finally snatched the lead thanks to a goal scored in the 13th minute of added time against Rochdale. Terrible for the runner-up, who thought he had reached the Holy Grail by taking the lead… in the 5th minute of stoppage time. The approximately 8,000 spectators gathered in the Spotland Stadium in Rochdale for the occasion then exploded with joy, invading the pitch to celebrate this rise from the sky.
But the match resumed, and the North Yorkshire players managed to equalize (1-1) to maintain their rank. At the end of the 46 (!) days of the championship, York City finished with 108 points, and Rochdale with 106.
Seen from home, the passion generated by this obscure D5 championship (equivalent to Nationale 3 in France) is quite incomprehensible. But in England, it is an institution, broadcast on television and still featured prominently in the pages of the Telegraph or Guardian.
As explained in particular by the colleagues of The Teamthe National League has the reputation of being the division from which it is the most complicated to extricate itself, with 46 games to play and only first place synonymous with direct advancement. The second must go through two play-offs, facing teams classified from third to seventh place (which must play three final matches).
This season offered absolute drama, with two teams having passed the 100 point mark. On the penultimate day, last weekend, York City held their rise after their quiet victory against Yeovil (3-0), until Rochdale scored in the 9th minute of stoppage time to beat Braintree (2-1) and thus keep the suspense going until the end. What not to do to move up to League Two…
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