It's too close to call

JAMES REID ASSESSES VALE'S LEAGUE ONE RIVALS AS THE NEW SEASON GETS UNDERWAY...

- JAMES REID

F the Championship is the ultimate footballing pantomime, then League One is its call room packed with clubs desperate to join the party.

Ask a number of resident clubs and they will tell you their rightful place is higher up the pyramid, but there are only so many places - meaning some must slum it with outfits more familiar with non-league than the Premier League.

Chuck in a few familiar Football League stalwarts, and you get the most diverse division in the Football League, with no shortage of drama and surprises, which look set to be in strong supply in what is the most open season in years.

Few were sad to see the riches of Birmingham City and Wrexham depart to the Championship - nor the fanfare that came with them - while Charlton, another traditional big-hitter, were brought back to life by the ever-intense Nathan Jones.

It leaves this season's promotion picture wide open, with no clear favourite for the title.

Jones’ former side Luton Town are the early front-runners for many as the Hatters look to halt their slide following back-to-back relegations.

Just two years ago, Kenilworth Road was preparing for Premier League football, but now the task is to climb back into the Championship.

Their promotion push is aided by parachute payments still boosting the coffers, while their squad is one of the strongest in the league - at least on paper.

The Hatters appear the best prepared of the three relegated sides, but Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle will have promotion hopes of their own.

Cardiff sleepwalked into relegation last season and must wake up quickly if they are to avoid slipping into the League One purgatory that has afflicted so many sides in recent times.