SWINDON Town have finally been crowned champions of League Two.

The news the fans have been waiting on for weeks was delivered this afternoon after clubs in English football’s bottom two divisions voted on how best to end the 2019/20 campaign.

This is the third time that the club has topped this league’s table after similar successes in the 2011-12 and 1985-86 seasons.

Richie Wellens’ men have been promoted alongside runners-up Crewe Alexandra and third-placed Plymouth Argyle after it was decided a points-per-game system would be used to decide the final standings. They will be joined by the winners of the play-offs, which are still scheduled to go ahead.

 

It is unquestionably the most unusual championship of the four Town have won in their 141-year history.

The coronavirus pandemic has sidelined all 71 EFL member clubs for more than three months.

Town have not kicked a ball in anger since losing 2-0 at home to Forest Green Rovers on March 7 and sat second behind Crewe in the table with a game in hand when the season was paused. They had 10 fixtures remaining.

Last month, League Two clubs indicated no wish to continue the season due to the financial pitfalls involved. Players and club staff across the division are on furlough and any matches that take place would have to do so without paying spectators in the stands.

Clubs in League One are due to vote later on Tuesday to decide whether or not to bring their season to an end.

Talks stalled after at least six clubs, including Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town, said they wanted to continue the season.

Although the Town faithful will no doubt raise a glass to their promotion heroes this evening, the normal euphoria that surrounds winning a title at the end of a hard-fought season will be missing.

Manager Richie Wellens assured them a fortnight ago that a fitting celebration would follow as soon as it is safe to hold one.

He said: "We will get our day in the sun to celebrate and the players and supporters all deserve that day."

The Town boss is in talks to retain the squad which secured the title and is hoping to add to that number in readiness for the step up.

But he admitted: “We need to know some kind of time when we can return for pre-season.

“A lot of clubs won’t be giving out contracts. Players would have to train in July, August and September and clubs are not going to pay them if there’s no return date to football.

"I think it’s up to the EFL to get these matters sorted and as quickly as possible move on to next season."