The 2008–09 Football League (known as the Coca-Cola Football League for sponsorship reasons) was the 110th completed season of the Football League. It began in August 2008 and concluded in May 2009, with the promotion play-off finals.
The Football League is contested through three Divisions: the Championship, League One and League Two. The winner and the runner up of the League Championship are automatically promoted to the Premier League and they will are joined by the winner of the Championship playoff. The bottom two teams in League Two are relegated to the Conference Premier.
Promotion and relegation
As a consequence of results in the 2008–09 English football season, the following promotions and relegations involving teams within, or entering or exiting the Football League occurred. These changes take effect for the 2009–10 season.
Updated to match(es) played on 3 May 2009. Source: The Football League Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Crystal Palace were give a one-point deduction for using an ineligible player during a match against Sheffield United on 3 May 2009.[1]
^Southampton were given a ten-point deduction for breaching insolvency regulations, regarding their holding company. As they finished in the bottom three in the 2008–09 season, the points deduction was applied during the 2009–10 season in League One.[2]
Updated to match(es) played on 2 May 2009. Source: The Football League Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Stockport County deducted 10 points for entering administration.[21]
Source: The Football League Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. (C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated Notes:
^Darlington deducted 10 points for entering administration.[48]
^Rotherham United deducted 17 points for leaving administration without a Company Voluntary Agreement.[49]
^Bournemouth deducted 17 points for leaving administration without a Company Voluntary Agreement.[50]
^Luton Town deducted 30 points; 20 points for leaving administration without a Company Voluntary Agreement, and 10 points for making illegal payments to agents.[51]