Football Season Review

It was a historic season for Morecambe, who were promoted to the third tier of English football for the first time in their 101-year history. It was a personal triumph for manager Derek Adams, who has enhanced his reputation by achieving one of the most unlikely promotions in years. His brief was to ensure they remained in the Football League after being appointed in November 2019. He unceremoniously jettisoned several established players as he built a small but strong squad last summer and they were pushing for automatic promotion at the turn of the year. Goalkeeper Jake Turner and key playmaker Adam Phillips were both recalled from their loans in January but Adams was otherwise able to rely on a core XI and they might have been promoted automatically had it not been for a remarkable late run from Bolton Wanderers. They saw off Tranmere Rovers in a two-legged play-off semi-final before a rather fortunate 1-0 win over Newport County sealed an historic promotion at Wembley. Winger Carlos Mendes Gomes scored the match-winning penalty to cap a fabulous season in which he finished as leading goalscorer. Sam Lavelle was outstanding in the centre of defence whilst striker Cole Stockton enjoyed a superb campaign leading the line. Success brings risk as well as reward and with Adams strongly linked with a move to Bradford City and almost the entire squad out of contract this summer, it could be a very different team that takes on League One next season.

Player of the Season: Carlos Mendes Gomes