2023–24 Scottish League Two
{{EngvarB|date=April 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox football league season
| logo =
| pixels = 250
| competition = Scottish League Two
| season = 2023–24
| dates = {{nobreak|5 August 2023 – 4 May 2024}}
| winners = Stenhousemuir
| promoted = Stenhousemuir, Dumbarton (via play-offs)
| relegated =
| matches = 180
| total goals = 467
| league topscorer = Blair Henderson
18 goals
| biggest home win = Peterhead 6–0 Elgin City (30 September 2023)
| biggest away win = Stenhousemuir 1–6 Clyde (24 February 2024)
| highest scoring = Dumbarton 4–4 Clyde (23 December 2023)
The Spartans 2–6 Dumbarton (16 March 2024)
| longest wins = Stenhousemuir
12 games
| longest unbeaten = Stenhousemuir
17 games
| longest winless = Bonnyrigg Rose
Clyde
10 games
| longest losses = Stranraer
5 games
| highest attendance = 1,512
Stenhousemuir 1–1 Bonnyrigg Rose (27 April 2024)
| lowest attendance = 273
Stranraer 1–2 Elgin City (16 March 2024)
| attendance = 105,586
| average attendance = 586
| prevseason = 2022–23
| nextseason = 2024–25
| updated = 4 May 2024
}}
The 2023–24 Scottish League Two (known as cinch League Two for sponsorship reasons) was the eleventh season of Scottish League Two, the fourth tier of Scottish football. The season began on 5 August 2023.{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/key-dates-for-season-202324 |title=Key dates for Season 2023/24 |publisher=SPFL |date=21 December 2022 |access-date=16 April 2023}}
Ten teams contested the league: Bonnyrigg Rose, Clyde, Dumbarton, East Fife, Elgin City, Forfar Athletic, Peterhead, Stenhousemuir, Stranraer and The Spartans.
Teams
The following teams changed division after the 2022–23 season.
{{col-begin|width=80%}}
{{col-2}}
=To League Two=
=From League Two=
Relegated to Lowland Football League
Promoted to League One
- Annan Athletic
- Stirling Albion{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65318857 |title=Scottish League 2: Stirling Albion aim to avoid Yo-Yo return after title win |website=BBC Sport |first=Clive |last=Lindsay |date=22 April 2023 |accessdate=22 April 2023}}
{{col-end}}
=Stadia and locations=
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
New Dundas Park
|New Douglas Park{{cite web |url=https://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2022/04/21/7104/#.YmHMty8w2Tc |title=Club Statement |publisher=Clyde FC |date=21 April 2022 |access-date=21 April 2022}} |
Capacity: 3,000{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/clubs/bonnyrigg-rose |title=Bonnyrigg Rose Football Club|website=Scottish Professional Football League |access-date=20 June 2022}} |
200px |
Elgin City
! colspan=2 rowspan=4| {{Location map+ |UK Scotland|width=400 |float=center|caption=Location of teams in 2023–24 Scottish League Two |places= {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=55.8747 |long=-3.1033 |label=Bonnyrigg Rose|position=bottom}} {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=55.782156 |long=-4.058503 |label=Clyde|position=left}} {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=55.938403 |long=-4.561606 |label=Dumbarton|position=left}} {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=56.238326 |long=-2.999425 |label=East Fife|position=top}} {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=57.651538 |long=-3.320073 |label=Elgin City|position=left}} {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=56.651491 |long=-2.884343 |label=Forfar Athletic|position=top}} {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=57.506535 |long=-1.7972195|label=Peterhead|position=top}} {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=56.028920 |long=-3.814752 |label=Stenhousemuir F.C.|position=top}} {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=54.903475 |long=-5.014250 |label=Stranraer|position=right}} {{Location map~ |UK Scotland|marksize=6 |lat=55.971659 |long=-3.232638 |label=Spartans |position=right}} }} |
---|
Borough Briggs |
Capacity: 4,520{{cite web |url=http://spfl.co.uk/clubs/elgin-city/ |title=Elgin City Football Club|website=Scottish Professional Football League |access-date=11 November 2013}} |
200px |
Peterhead |
Balmoor |
Capacity: 3,150{{cite web |url=http://spfl.co.uk/clubs/peterhead/ |title=Peterhead Football Club|website=Scottish Professional Football League |access-date=11 November 2013}} |
200px |
=Personnel and kits=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Team
! Manager ! Captain ! Kit manufacturer ! Shirt sponsor |
---|
Bonnyrigg Rose
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Calum|Elliot}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Jonathan|Stewart|nolink=1}} |Puma |G. Fitzsimmons and Son (Home) |
Clyde
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Ian|McCall|dab=footballer}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Barry|Cuddihy}} |Puma |HomesBook Factoring (Home) |
Dumbarton
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Stephen|Farrell|dab=footballer}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Mark|Durnan}} |Ice & Fire Wellness |
East Fife
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Dick|Campbell|dab=footballer, born 1953}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Stewart|Murdoch}} |BW Technology (Home) |
Elgin City
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Allan|Hale|nolink=1}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Matthew|Cooper|dab=footballer}} |Joma |McDonald & Munro |
Forfar Athletic
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Ray|McKinnon|dab=footballer}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Stuart|Morrison}} |Pendle |Orchard Timber Products |
Peterhead
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Jordon|Brown}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Jason|Brown|nolink=1}} |Puma |The Score Group |
Stenhousemuir
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Gary|Naysmith}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Gregor|Buchanan}} |LOC Hire |
Stranraer
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Scott|Agnew}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Grant|Gallagher|nolink=1}} |Joma |
The Spartans
|{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Douglas|Samuel|nolink=1}} |{{flagicon|SCO}} {{sortname|Kevin|Waugh|nolink=1}} |Macron |J-TEQ EMS Solutions Ltd |
=Managerial changes=
class="wikitable sortable" |
Team
! Outgoing manager ! Manner of departure ! Date of vacancy ! Position in table ! Incoming manager ! Date of appointment |
---|
Clyde
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Jim Duffy | Appointed director of football | 24 May 2023 | rowspan="2" | Pre-season | {{flagicon|NIR}} Brian McLean | 2 June 2023 |
rowspan="2" | Elgin City
| Charlie Charlesworth, Ross Draper and Stevie Dunn | End of interim spell | 25 May 2023 | {{flagicon|ENG}} Ross Draper | 25 May 2023 |
{{flagicon|ENG}} Ross Draper
| Resigned | 5 September 2023 | rowspan="3" | 9th | {{flagicon|SCO}} Barry Smith | 5 September 2023 |
Clyde
| {{flagicon|NIR}} Brian McLean | Sacked | 22 October 2023 | {{flagicon|SCO}} Ian McCall | 15 November 2023 |
Elgin City
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Barry Smith | Mutual consent | 13 November 2023 | {{flagicon|SCO}} Allan Hale | 5 December 2023 |
East Fife
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Greig McDonald | Resigned | 5 February 2024 | 6th | {{flagicon|SCO}} Dick Campbell | 6 February 2024 |
Bonnyrigg Rose
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Robbie Horn | Sacked | 24 March 2024 | 8th | {{flagicon|SCO}} Calum Elliot | 25 March 2024 |
League table
|team_order=STE, PET, SPA, DUM, EFI, FOR, ELG, BON, CLY, STR
|result1=PRO |result2=PPO |result3=PPO |result4=PPO |result10=RPO
|update=complete
|win_BON=9 |draw_BON=12|loss_BON=15 |gf_BON=47 |ga_BON=48
|win_CLY=9 |draw_CLY=11|loss_CLY=16 |gf_CLY=46 |ga_CLY=58
|win_DUM=16|draw_DUM=9 |loss_DUM=11 |gf_DUM=56 |ga_DUM=44
|win_EFI=11|draw_EFI=11|loss_EFI=14 |gf_EFI=46 |ga_EFI=47
|win_ELG=10|draw_ELG=10|loss_ELG=16 |gf_ELG=35 |ga_ELG=59
|win_FOR=9 |draw_FOR=15|loss_FOR=12 |gf_FOR=38 |ga_FOR=45
|win_PET=16|draw_PET=12|loss_PET=8 |gf_PET=58 |ga_PET=39
|win_STE=18|draw_STE=14|loss_STE=4 |gf_STE=50 |ga_STE=31
|win_STR=9 |draw_STR=9 |loss_STR=18 |gf_STR=38 |ga_STR=53
|win_SPA=15|draw_SPA=13|loss_SPA=8 |gf_SPA=53 |ga_SPA=43
|name_BON=Bonnyrigg Rose
|name_CLY=Clyde
|name_DUM=Dumbarton
|name_EFI=East Fife
|name_ELG=Elgin City
|name_FOR=Forfar Athletic
|name_PET=Peterhead
|name_STE=Stenhousemuir
|name_STR=Stranraer
|name_SPA=The Spartans
|status_STE=C,P
|status_DUM=O,P
|status_STR=O
|show_limit=5
|class_rules=1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Head-to-to head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference; 6) Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).{{cite web |title=The Rules of the Scottish Professional Football League |url=https://spfl.co.uk/admin/filemanager/images/shares/pdfs/SPFL%20Rules%20and%20Regulations%2022-Jul-19.pdf |website=SPFL |access-date=20 October 2019 |pages=38–39}}
|res_col_header=PQR
|col_PRO=green1 |text_PRO=Promotion to League One
|col_PPO=yellow1|text_PPO=Qualification for the League One play-offs
|col_RPO=red2 |text_RPO=Qualification for the League Two play-off final
}}
Results
Teams play each other four times, twice in the first half of the season (home and away) and twice in the second half of the season (home and away), making a total of 180 games, with each team playing 36.
=First half of season (Matches 1–18)=
{{#invoke:sports results|main
|update=complete
|a_note=yes
|matches_style=FBR
|team1=BON |team2=CLY |team3=DUM |team4=EFI |team5=ELG |team6=FOR |team7=PET |team8=STE |team9=STR |team10=SPA
|name_BON=Bonnyrigg Rose
|name_CLY=Clyde
|name_DUM=Dumbarton
|name_EFI=East Fife
|name_ELG=Elgin City
|name_FOR=Forfar Athletic
|name_PET=Peterhead
|name_STE=Stenhousemuir
|name_STR=Stranraer
|name_SPA=The Spartans
|match_BON_CLY=3–2
|match_BON_DUM=1–1
|match_BON_EFI=4–2
|match_BON_ELG=5–1
|match_BON_FOR=0–2
|match_BON_PET=1–1
|match_BON_STE=0–1
|match_BON_STR=1–1
|match_BON_SPA=2–2
|match_CLY_BON=0–2
|match_CLY_DUM=0–4
|match_CLY_EFI=0–3
|match_CLY_ELG=2–1
|match_CLY_FOR=0–0
|match_CLY_PET=1–2
|match_CLY_STE=1–2
|match_CLY_STR=2–2
|match_CLY_SPA=1–2
|match_DUM_BON=4–0
|match_DUM_CLY=4–4
|match_DUM_EFI=1–0
|match_DUM_ELG=1–0
|match_DUM_FOR=3–1
|match_DUM_PET=0–1
|match_DUM_STE=0–1
|match_DUM_STR=3–1
|match_DUM_SPA=1–1
|match_EFI_BON=0–3
|match_EFI_CLY=2–0
|match_EFI_DUM=0–1
|match_EFI_ELG=4–0
|match_EFI_FOR=1–1
|match_EFI_PET=0–3
|match_EFI_STE=0–2
|match_EFI_STR=4–0
|match_EFI_SPA=0–3
|match_ELG_BON=2–0
|match_ELG_CLY=2–1
|match_ELG_DUM=2–0
|match_ELG_EFI=1–1
|match_ELG_FOR=1–0
|match_ELG_PET=2–1
|match_ELG_STE=1–1
|match_ELG_STR=0–1
|match_ELG_SPA=0–4
|match_FOR_BON=1–2
|match_FOR_CLY=1–1
|match_FOR_DUM=2–4
|match_FOR_EFI=0–0
|match_FOR_ELG=0–0
|match_FOR_PET=1–3
|match_FOR_STE=1–3
|match_FOR_STR=1–1
|match_FOR_SPA=2–2
|match_PET_BON=2–1
|match_PET_CLY=2–1
|match_PET_DUM=3–1
|match_PET_EFI=2–0
|match_PET_ELG=6–0
|match_PET_FOR=1–2
|match_PET_STE=0–0
|match_PET_STR=3–2
|match_PET_SPA=0–1
|match_STE_BON=1–0
|match_STE_CLY=2–2
|match_STE_DUM=2–4
|match_STE_EFI=2–1
|match_STE_ELG=2–0
|match_STE_FOR=0–0
|match_STE_PET=2–0
|match_STE_STR=5–0
|match_STE_SPA=3–2
|match_STR_BON=3–1
|match_STR_CLY=1–0
|match_STR_DUM=5–0
|match_STR_EFI=1–1
|match_STR_ELG=3–1
|match_STR_FOR=0–2
|match_STR_PET=2–1
|match_STR_STE=0–3
|match_STR_SPA=3–4
|match_SPA_BON=2–2
|match_SPA_CLY=1–1
|match_SPA_DUM=2–0
|match_SPA_EFI=2–2
|match_SPA_ELG=2–1
|match_SPA_FOR=1–0
|match_SPA_PET=1–2
|match_SPA_STE=0–1
|match_SPA_STR=3–0
}}
=Second half of season (Matches 19–36)=
{{#invoke:sports results|main
|update=complete
|a_note=yes
|matches_style=FBR
|team1=BON |team2=CLY |team3=DUM |team4=EFI |team5=ELG |team6=FOR |team7=PET |team8=STE |team9=STR |team10=SPA
|name_BON=Bonnyrigg Rose
|name_CLY=Clyde
|name_DUM=Dumbarton
|name_EFI=East Fife
|name_ELG=Elgin City
|name_FOR=Forfar Athletic
|name_PET=Peterhead
|name_STE=Stenhousemuir
|name_STR=Stranraer
|name_SPA=The Spartans
|match_BON_CLY=1–2
|match_BON_DUM=1–1
|match_BON_EFI=0–2
|match_BON_ELG=2–0
|match_BON_FOR=4–0
|match_BON_PET=2–2
|match_BON_STE=0–1
|match_BON_STR=0–0
|match_BON_SPA=0–1
|match_CLY_BON=3–2
|match_CLY_DUM=2–0
|match_CLY_EFI=1–0
|match_CLY_ELG=2–1
|match_CLY_FOR=0–2
|match_CLY_PET=1–1
|match_CLY_STE=2–2
|match_CLY_STR=1–0
|match_CLY_SPA=0–0
|match_DUM_BON=2–0
|match_DUM_CLY=1–0
|match_DUM_EFI=1–2
|match_DUM_ELG=2–2
|match_DUM_FOR=2–2
|match_DUM_PET=1–0
|match_DUM_STE=0–0
|match_DUM_STR=2–1
|match_DUM_SPA=0–0
|match_EFI_BON=1–4
|match_EFI_CLY=1–1
|match_EFI_DUM=3–2
|match_EFI_ELG=2–0
|match_EFI_FOR=1–1
|match_EFI_PET=2–2
|match_EFI_STE=1–1
|match_EFI_STR=2–1
|match_EFI_SPA=1–2
|match_ELG_BON=1–0
|match_ELG_CLY=0–3
|match_ELG_DUM=0–1
|match_ELG_EFI=1–0
|match_ELG_FOR=1–1
|match_ELG_PET=1–1
|match_ELG_STE=2–2
|match_ELG_STR=2–1
|match_ELG_SPA=2–2
|match_FOR_BON=0–0
|match_FOR_CLY=2–1
|match_FOR_DUM=0–2
|match_FOR_EFI=2–1
|match_FOR_ELG=2–1
|match_FOR_PET=3–3
|match_FOR_STE=1–1
|match_FOR_STR=2–0
|match_FOR_SPA=1–0
|match_PET_BON=0–0
|match_PET_CLY=4–1
|match_PET_DUM=2–1
|match_PET_EFI=1–1
|match_PET_ELG=1–1
|match_PET_FOR=2–1
|match_PET_STE=2–1
|match_PET_STR=2–0
|match_PET_SPA=0–1
|match_STE_BON=1–1
|match_STE_CLY=1–6
|match_STE_DUM=1–0
|match_STE_EFI=0–0
|match_STE_ELG=1–1
|match_STE_FOR=2–1
|match_STE_PET=0–0
|match_STE_STR=1–0
|match_STE_SPA=0–0
|match_STR_BON=1–1
|match_STR_CLY=2–0
|match_STR_DUM=0–0
|match_STR_EFI=0–1
|match_STR_ELG=1–2
|match_STR_FOR=0–0
|match_STR_PET=2–0
|match_STR_STE=2–0
|match_STR_SPA=1–2
|match_SPA_BON=2–1
|match_SPA_CLY=1–1
|match_SPA_DUM=2–6
|match_SPA_EFI=1–3
|match_SPA_ELG=1–2
|match_SPA_FOR=1–0
|match_SPA_PET=2–2
|match_SPA_STE=0–2
|match_SPA_STR=0–0
}}
Season statistics
=Scoring=
==Top scorers==
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |
Rank
! Player ! Club ! Goals |
---|
1
|align="left"| {{flagicon|SCO}} Blair Henderson |align="left"| The Spartans |18 |
2
|align="left"| {{flagicon|SCO}} Matthew Aitken |align="left"| Stenhousemuir |14 |
rowspan="2"|3
|align="left"| {{flagicon|SCO}} Neil Martyniuk |align="left"| Bonnyrigg Rose |rowspan="2"|13 |
align="left"| {{flagicon|ENG}} Nathan Austin
|align="left"| East Fife |
5
|align="left"| {{flagicon|SCO}} Martin Rennie |align="left"| Clyde |12 |
Awards
class="wikitable" |
rowspan="2"|Month
!colspan="2"|Manager of the Month !colspan="2"|Player of the Month |
---|
Manager
!Club !Player !Club |
August
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Douglas Samuel | {{flagicon|SCO}} Jamie Dishington | The Spartans |
September
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Gary Naysmith | {{flagicon|SCO}} Gregor Buchanan | Stenhousemuir |
October
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Douglas Samuel | The Spartans | {{flagicon|SCO}} Bradley Whyte | The Spartans |
November
| rowspan="3"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Gary Naysmith | rowspan="3"|Stenhousemuir | rowspan="2"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Matthew Aitken | rowspan="2"|Stenhousemuir |
December |
January
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Blair Henderson | The Spartans |
February
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Ray McKinnon | {{flagicon|SCO}} Martin Rennie | Clyde |
March
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Dick Campbell | {{flagicon|SCO}} Alan Trouten | East Fife |
April
| {{flagicon|SCO}} Stephen Farrell | {{flagicon|SCO}} Bradley Barrett |
League Two play-offs
The Pyramid play-off was due to be contested between the champions of the 2023–24 Highland Football League and the 2023–24 Lowland Football League. East Kilbride secured their place in the play-offs as the Lowland Football League representative on 12 April 2024. Buckie Thistle won the Highland League on 20 April 2024. However, on 25 April 2024 the SFA confirmed that Buckie Thistle had not received the necessary Bronze licence to be able to compete in the SPFL,{{cite web |url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/news/scottish-fa-statement-pyramid-play-off-tie/?rid=14258 |title=Scottish FA Statement: Pyramid Play-Off Tie |publisher=SFA |date=25 April 2024 |access-date=25 April 2024}} therefore the Pyramid play-off was cancelled and East Kilbride were automatically advanced to the League Two play-off final against Stranraer. Stranraer's victory in the final meant that they remained in League Two for the 2024–25 season.
=Pyramid play-off=
==First leg==
{{football box collapsible
|bg=ddd
|nobars=1
|date=27 April 2024
|score=Walkover
|time=15:00
|report=
|team1=East Kilbride
|team2=Buckie Thistle
|stadium=K-Park Training Academy
|location=East Kilbride
|attendance=
|referee=
}}
==Second leg==
{{football box collapsible
|bg=ddd
|nobars=1
|date=4 May 2024
|score=Walkover
|aggregatescore=
|time=15:00
|report=
|team1=Buckie Thistle
|team2=East Kilbride
|stadium=Victoria Park
|location=Buckie
|attendance=
|referee=
}}
=Final=
==First leg==
{{football box collapsible
|result=
|nobars=1
|date=11 May 2024
|score=2–2
|time=15:00
|report={{cite news|first=Andy|last=McGilvray|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/east-kilbride-2-stranraer-2-32786186|title=East Kilbride 2, Stranraer 2: Robbo magic levels the tie for Kilby|work=Daily Record|publisher=Reach plc|date=11 May 2024|accessdate=11 May 2024}}
|team1=East Kilbride
|team2=Stranraer
|goals1={{ubl|Stirling {{goal|32}}|Robertson {{goal|71}}}}
|goals2={{ubl|McIntosh {{goal|45+2}}|Ross {{goal|60}}}}
|stadium=K-Park Training Academy
|location=East Kilbride
|attendance=652
|referee=Dan McFarlane
}}
==Second leg==
{{football box collapsible
|result=
|nobars=1
|date=18 May 2024
|score=3–1
|aet=yes
|aggregatescore=5–3
|time=15:00
|report={{cite news|first=Andy|last=McGilvray|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/stranraer-3-east-kilbride-1-32839766|title=Stranraer 3, East Kilbride 1 (agg 5-3): Blues break Kilby hearts|work=Daily Record|publisher=Reach plc|date=18 May 2024|accessdate=18 May 2024}}
|team1=Stranraer
|team2=East Kilbride
|goals1={{ubl|Gallagher {{goal|44}}|Ross {{goal|117}}|Gilmartin {{goal|120+1}}}}
|goals2=Samson {{goal|76}}
|stadium=Stair Park
|location=Stranraer
|attendance=1,871
|referee=Craig Napier
}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://spfl.co.uk/league/league-two Official website]
{{Scottish League Two}}
{{Scottish fourth division football seasons}}
{{2023–24 in Scottish football}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2023-24 Scottish League Two}}