Fresh faces and old foes await Exeter City in 2025/26

Exeter City fans can look forward to renewing rivalries and welcoming fresh faces to St James Park as three more teams have confirmed their place in League One for the 2025/26 season.

Port Vale return to the third tier after just one season away. Under manager Darren Moore, the Valiants secured automatic promotion from League Two with a game to spare, finishing second in the table. Moore, who signed a five-and-a-half-year deal in 2024, steered his side to a strong finish, winning seven of their last 11 games. Their ground, Vale Park, nicknamed the ‘Wembley of the North’, has a rich history and can accommodate just under 16,000 fans.

Bradford City ended a six-year stint in League Two with a dramatic final-day promotion, courtesy of a stoppage-time winner from Antoni Sarcevic. Managed by Graham Alexander, the Bantams spent much of the second half of the season in the automatic promotion spots, having lost just one of 15 games between December and March. Their historic Valley Parade stadium remains one of the most iconic venues in League One, and they’ll be eyeing further progress under Alexander’s leadership.

AFC Wimbledon booked their spot in League One the hard way, emerging victorious from the play-offs. A 1-0 win over Walsall at Wembley secured their return to the third tier for the first time since 2022. Managed by Johnnie Jackson, the Dons were among the early frontrunners in League Two before sealing promotion with a strong run in the second half of the campaign. Their home, the Cherry Red Records Stadium at Plough Lane, is a modern and atmospheric ground with a growing reputation.

Exeter City will also be reacquainted with several familiar faces next season. Former Grecians including Jayden Stockley (Port Vale), Cheick Diabate (Bradford) and Lewis Ward (AFC Wimbledon) are all set to return to EX4 in opposition colours.

With new challenges and rivalries ahead, the 2025/26 League One season is already shaping up to be a fascinating one.