Fighting Foxes bounce back

Leicester City's spell in the third tier of the English game lasted only one season as the Foxes secured promotion to the Championship as title winners this season.

Chairman Milan Mandaric has remarked that Leicester's squad is strong enough to challenge for promotion to the Premier League next season.

The former Portsmouth chairman added that manager Nigel Pearson will bolster the squad with new players. Mandaric also paid tribute to the club's superb supporters who played a massive part in Leicester's successful campaign in League One.

Striker Mike Fryatt has captured the hearts of the Leicester fans after scoring a stunning 32 goals in all competitions this season.

Peterborough and Leeds gave Leicester a hard time when the latter hit a bleak spell in February but the Foxes emerged from the shadows to gain automatic promotion with two matches to play.

The second automatic place went to Peterborough who are managed by Darren Ferguson, the son of Alex Ferguson. The Posh haven't played in the second tier of the English game since season 1993-94.

The League Two crown went to Brentford, who are led by their former striker Andy Scott. The Griffin Park side returned to League One after two seasons. The two other sides to gain a straight up were Exeter and Wycombe.

Demoted Luton lifted the Johnstone's Paint Trophy (the silverware for the winners of the knock-out competition for sides in the lower divisions), defeating Scunthorpe 3-2 after extra time in the final at Wembley.

Luton Town were docked an unprecedented 30 points at the start of the season. Luton incurred this hefty punishment for financial irregularities linked to payments to players' agents.

The 30-point handicap cost the Hatters their place in the League after an uninterrupted stay of 89 years.

Chester will also be playing in the Conference League next season. Exeter spent four years in this division from 2004 to 2008.

April review

England topple Ukraine 2-1 at Wembley. Other World Cup qualifiers: Northern Ireland-Slovenia 1-0, Wales-Germany 0-2, Italy-Ireland 1-1, Scotland-Iceland 2-1.

England fans vote Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) as national team's Player of the Year.

Liverpool's Rafael Benitez and Steven Gerrard are voted Manager and Player of the Month for March.

Scotland boss George Burley bans Rangers duo Barry Ferguson and Allan McGregor after a drinking session following the team's defeat by the Netherlands.

At Wembley, Luton defeat Scunthorpe 3-2 in the final of the Johnstone's Paints Trophy.

Arsenal claim a 1-1 draw in Villarreal in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. Other results: Manchester United-Porto 2-2, Liverpool-Chelsea 1-3.

In the latest FIFA rankings, England are seventh, moving up two places. Northern Ireland climb 15 positions to 27th.

Manchester City, the last English side in the UEFA Cup, bow out to Hamburg 3-4 on aggregate.

Former Tottenham, Norwich and West Ham forward Jimmy Neighbour dies aged 58.

Luton Town lose their Football League status after their 0-0 home draw against Chesterfield.

For a record third season running three English clubs reach the last four of the Champions League − Chelsea (vs Liverpool 7-5 on aggregate), Arsenal (vs Villarreal 4-1) and Manchester United (vs Porto 3-2).

From next season, the Scottish Premier League clubs will face a reduction in television income.

In the FA Cup semi-finals played at Wembley, Chelsea edge Arsenal 2-1 and Everton beat Manchester United 4-2 on penalties after a goalless stale-mate.

Roy Keane takes over at Ipswich after Jim Magilton gets the sack.

Southampton will be relegated from the Championship after being docked 10 points by the Football League. The 10-point penalty is imposed on Southampton after their parent company went into administration.

Ryan Giggs, of Manchester United, is named PFA Player of the Year. The Young Player award goes to Aston Villa's Ashley Young.

In the Champions League semi-finals, first legs, Chelsea hold Barcelona to a 0-0 draw away and Manchester United beat Arsenal 1-0 at Old Trafford.