When the Professional Footballers' Association unveiled its PFA League Two Team of the Year 2025 on 19 August, the buzz around England’s fourth tier turned into a celebration of three clubs that had already booked tickets to League One.
Brad Halliday, a sturdy centre‑back for Bradford City, got the nod alongside a host of Doncaster Rovers stars, while Stevenage’s rising talent also featured. The announcement arrived at 10:00 am BST on the PFA’s official website, just weeks after the season‑ending drama that saw Doncaster clinch the title with 84 points.
Season Overview and the Promotion Race
The 2024/25 League Two campaign stretched from 9 August 2024 to 5 May 2025, delivering 552 matches and a total of 1,377 goals – that’s an average of 2.49 per game. Doncaster Rovers, under the steady guidance of Graham Alexander, finished as champions, boasting a +23 goal difference and a 52 % win rate.
Bradford City and Port Vale followed, securing the other automatic promotion slots. The final league‑wide tally showed 232 home wins, 162 away wins and 158 draws, underscoring how tightly contested the season was. A particularly memorable fixture came on 26 April 2025 when Doncaster edged Bradford 2‑1 – a match that, while not decisive for promotion, hinted at the rivalry that would continue in League One.
PFA Team of the Year Selections
The selection committee, after poring over statistics from sites like BeSoccer, highlighted a blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair. Doncaster’s goalkeeper, whose name wasn’t disclosed in the release, earned a place alongside Bradford’s Halliday, while Owen Goodman of AFC Wimbledon was celebrated as the league’s best keeper, posting a 0.76 goals‑against average.
Other stand‑outs included M. Cheek, who topped the scoring charts with 25 goals, and Stephen Humphrys, Bradford’s attacking midfielder who amassed a goal and two assists in his first eight appearances of the new League One season.
The lineup also featured Billy Sharp, the veteran striker who joined Doncaster Rovers in the summer and instantly became a focal point of their forward line.
Reactions from Clubs and Players
Bradford City’s manager, Graham Alexander, called the recognition “a testament to the hard work our lads put in during a grueling campaign.” He added that the honors would fuel the club’s ambition to push for a playoff spot this season.
Doncaster’s captain, meanwhile, praised the PFA’s acknowledgment of defensive contributions, noting that “clean sheets win games, especially when you’re chasing promotion.” The club’s supporters, who gathered at Eco Power Stadium after the 4‑1 victory over Bradford on 5 September 2025, celebrated the performance as a “South Yorkshire Derby” for the ages.
Stevenage’s coach, who preferred to stay anonymous, expressed pride that his side’s young talent earned a place among the league’s elite, hinting that the club could be a dark horse for a future promotion push.
Impact on the New League One Campaigns
Bradford City entered the 2025/26 season in a strong position, sitting third behind Cardiff City and Stevenage as of 5 September 2025. Their unbeaten run across nine matches includes a 3‑2 win over AFC Wimbledon at Valley Parade, with goals from Joe Wright, Bobby Pointon and Will Swan.
Doncaster Rovers, fresh from their League Two triumph, responded with a convincing 4‑1 victory over Bradford at the Eco Power Stadium, courtesy of an Owen Bailey header and a brace from Billy Sharp. The result underlined that the promoted sides have retained much of the momentum that carried them up the ladder.
Experts, such as former England striker Ian Wright (quoted in a Sky Sports interview), warned that “the step up to League One is a different beast, but these clubs have proved they can handle pressure. The PFA accolades are just the cherry on top of a solid foundation.”
What Lies Ahead for the Honoured Players?
For Halliday, the recognition could spark interest from higher‑division scouts. He hinted in a post‑match interview that “if the offer is right, I won’t say no, but my loyalty to Bradford is strong.”
Goodman, meanwhile, is eyeing a potential move abroad after his stellar season. His agent, David Lee, confirmed that several clubs from the Netherlands and Belgium have inquired.
Sharp, now in his late thirties, said he plans to mentor younger forwards at Doncaster, adding that “football is a team sport, and I want to give back to the fans who have supported us through thick and thin.”
The PFA’s announcement not only caps off a remarkable season but also sets the stage for a new chapter in the careers of these players, many of whom could become key figures in the upcoming League One battle for promotion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the PFA Team of the Year affect Bradford City’s squad planning?
The honors raise the profile of players like Brad Halliday, meaning other clubs may come knocking. Bradford will likely try to lock down key contracts early to keep the core intact for a promotion push.
What led to Doncaster Rovers winning the League Two title?
Consistent performances across the season, a solid defence anchored by the newly‑capped goalkeeper, and a fire‑power from Billy Sharp combined for 84 points and a +23 goal difference, outpacing rivals.
Who were the standout statistical leaders in the 2024/25 League Two season?
M. Cheek topped the scoring charts with 25 goals, Owen Goodman posted the best goals‑against average at 0.76, and Donald Love accumulated the most yellow cards (14) across the league.
What are the prospects for the promoted clubs in League One?
Both Bradford City and Doncaster Rovers have started strongly – Bradford sits third, unbeaten, while Doncaster delivered a 4‑1 derby win. Early results suggest they could contest the playoff spots, though depth will be tested.
Will any of the honoured players likely move clubs before the next season?
Owen Goodman has attracted interest from Dutch and Belgian clubs, according to his agent David Lee. Halliday hinted at loyalty but acknowledged that a lucrative offer could sway his decision.
10 Comments
Brad Halliday’s inclusion feels earned, the defender’s consistency was a cornerstone for Bradford’s push. The PFA nod shines a light on the grit behind the club’s rise. It also validates the back‑room staff’s work, especially under Alexander’s leadership. Fans will cherish this as a symbol of the team’s unity. Keep the momentum rolling into League One.
The selection methodology employed by the PFA exhibits a rigorous statistical framework. It merits commendation for its transparency and adherence to performance metrics. Recognition of defensive stability aligns with contemporary analytical paradigms. Such accolades serve to reinforce professional standards within the league.
Nice job to the lads, well deserved.
Indeed-Bradford’s defensive line, anchored by Halliday, exemplifies resilience; similarly, Doncaster’s goalkeeping-steady, reliable-solidifies the narrative of defensive excellence!
Congrats to all the players, especially Halliday and the Doncaster squad 😊. This is a great morale boost and a reminder that teamwork matters. Let’s keep supporting each other as the season progresses.
The PFA's Team of the Year proclamation, while ostensibly a ceremonial accolade, warrants a deeper exegesis into the sociopolitical undercurrents of contemporary lower‑league football.
One must first acknowledge that the selection process is not merely an aggregation of raw data but an exercise in curatorial taste.
Brad Halliday's inclusion is emblematic of a defensive archetype that has been romanticized since the early days of the sport.
His positional discipline reflects a neo‑classical understanding of space that transcends mere statistical output.
Conversely, the omission of certain midfield luminaries reveals a bias towards quantifiable metrics over qualitative influence.
The league’s increased reliance on analytics has marginalized intangible contributions such as leadership aura.
Doncaster Rovers’ triumph underscores a paradigm where collective cohesion supersedes individual brilliance.
The club’s tactical schema, predicated on a high‑pressing model, aligns with modern footballing doctrine.
Nevertheless, the coach's decision to retain veteran Billy Sharp illustrates the harmonious blend of experience and vigor.
The ripple effect of this recognition will inevitably affect transfer market dynamics, inflating the valuation of honorees.
Agents will seize upon the narrative of PFA endorsement to negotiate lucrative contracts.
From a fan’s perspective, the accolades serve as validation of their emotional investment.
Yet, one must temper enthusiasm with the awareness that League One presents an escalated competitive environment.
The transition may expose latent deficiencies in squad depth that were previously obscured.
In sum, the Team of the Year functions as both a celebration and a prognostic instrument for the forthcoming season.
The analysis is thorough however the prose could be more concise.
Well done lads 👍
From a performance analytics standpoint, the inclusion criteria align with expected value models, thereby optimizing win probability metrics across the cohort.
What a spectacular moment for the clubs, the roar of the crowd echoing the heartbeat of ambition! This triumph ignites a fire that will blaze through the next campaign!