- Whether you call it soccer or football, the game is (almost) always filled with excitement...
As the 2024/25 English Football League One season kicks off, anticipation is high among fans eager to see which clubs will rise to the challenge in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe.
While much of the focus is often on the teams with ambitions of promotion, as well as those hoping to defy the League 1 relegation odds, individual brilliance can be the difference between success and failure in a grueling campaign.
From promising young talents on the cusp of breaking into the higher tiers to seasoned professionals looking to make their mark, this season offers a fascinating mix of players ready to shine.
Here, we spotlight three players to watch in League One this year, each poised to make a significant impact on their club’s fortunes.
Alfie May – Birmingham City
With 66 goals in the third tier over the last three years, banging them in for fun for Cheltenham Town and Charlton Athletic, there are few players in the division with a better eye for goal than Alfie May.
Having been relegated to League One for the first time in over 30 years, Birmingham City will be desperate to return straight back to the Championship, and manager Chris Davies has brought in the 31-year-old to help achieve that goal.
While the Blues drew their opening game of the season at home to Reading, May is already making his presence felt at St. Andrew’s as he netted a late penalty to secure a crucial point.
Elliot Lee – Wrexham
While Paul Mullin might be the first name you think of when you hear Wrexham mentioned, the 29-year-old Merseyside native missed pre-season after undergoing surgery due to chronic back pain and has missed the start of the campaign with his exact return date still unclear.
The Dragons’ fairytale rise up the English football pyramid under new owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds continued last year as they finished runners-up in League One, but things are only going to get tougher as they climb up the divisions.
Elliott Lee goes about his business in midfield without much fuss, often making him Wrexham’s unsung hero over the last couple of seasons.
The former Luton Town player rarely misses a game for the Welsh side, and his experience in this division could be pivotal to Wrexham in the League 1 betting odds.
Calvin Ramsay – Wigan Athletic
You would be forgiven for forgetting about Calvin Ramsay. The 21-year-old sensationally earned a move to Liverpool after a breakthrough season in the Scottish Premiership for his boyhood club, Aberdeen, in 2021-22.
However, in some part due to unfortunate injuries, he has made just two appearances for the Reds over the last couple of years and has had relatively unsuccessful loan spells at Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers — where he made just a handful of appearances.
Ramsay, who has one senior cap for Scotland, needs to reignite his promising career and Wigan Athletic could be the place he does that.
Lactics’ manager Shaun Maloney, a fellow Scot, can take him under his wing. If he avoids any injuries this campaign, he can shine in League One.