The 1983-84 season, however, would see Grimsby emerge as serious promotion contenders for the majority of the season.

Instead, both sides started badly, and replaced their managers mid-season, never really looking like promotion contenders.

Cambridge looked anything but promotion contenders and they were flattered by the final scoreline.

They survived at this level for five years, never looking like promotion contenders, before being relegated in 1997.

Since then, the club's performances have declined to a point where it is not a promotion contender anymore.

However, in January 2007, Derby were top of the table, and looking like promotion contenders.

Portsmouth, another side who were looking like promotion contenders not so long ago, have slumped even further into the relegation zone.

From the beginning of the 2009-10 season, Fleetwood were seen as serious promotion contenders.

During the 1983-84 season Carlisle emerged as promotion contenders but failure to win their final 10 games saw them finish 7th.

The last game of the season was a 1-1 draw at home to promotion contenders Stoke City.