The X Factor

Name 5 English football league clubs with X in their name…? – It was a popular pub quiz question, but it is now no more. Wrexham’s relegation from League Two this season means that Crewe Alexandra are now the only Football League club with an X in their name.

Halifax, Wrexham, Oxford and Exeter were our X’s up till 2002. Halifax were the first to drop out in the 01/02 season, relegated to the ‘Conference’ after finishing bottom of ‘Division Three’ and nine points behind 23rd placed Bristol Rovers.

The Shaymen were swiftly followed through the trap door by Exeter the following season. The new double relegation in the basement division claimed it’s first victims in Exeter when they were relegated by just one point. Two teams finished that one point ahead of them that season, Carlisle and Swansea – how times times.

It was another three seasons, in 2005/2006, before another X took the plunge. Oxford United, another 23rd placed team, were relegated by three points and have since had a failed play-off campaign (along side Exeter) in the Blue Square Premier.

Finally, this season took it’s, hopefully, final X-rated team. Wrexham. Down and out by mid-April, the Welsh side join the rest of the X club in Blue Square Premier next season.

Leaving us to wonder if by the end of the decade if all League teams with an X in their name will be extinct?

(All assuming Exeter don’t win the play-offs…)