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It has been a long journey back to the Championship for Peterborough United, who have served eight seasons in League One to return to the second tier following their relegation with a record 54 points in 2012-13.
The manner in which Posh were consigned to relegation at Selhurst Park has left them to feel cheated. However, bouncing back from last season’s conclusion was particularly tough for the club having placed sixth when the league curtailed, only to miss out on a play-off spot on points per game to eventual winners Wycombe Wanderers.
Manager Darren Ferguson was then tasked with replacing 26 goal striker Ivan Toney before shaping his squad ahead of a 46 match season crammed into a schedule a month shorter than usual.
But after over 350 matches, 150 players, five managers and almost a decade of near misses, the city of Peterborough will feel like justice has been served as they can look forward to Championship football once again.
Transfers and their impact
The departure of Toney to Brentford in August 2020 left a chasm-sized hole in the Posh team. The 24-year old was crowned the division’s Player of the Year the season prior after netting 24 times in 32 league games and was granted his rightful move to the Championship as the board honoured their promise.
So for the Posh to sign a striker of similar calibre in Jonson Clarke-Harris, who would go on to score 31 goals in 45 league matches and become the first Peterborough player in 60 years to reach 30 Football League goals in a season, was a triumph for the club as he fired his team to promotion. The 26 year-old started all but one League One game ( 4-1 win vs Doncaster on the last day of the season) and delivered a second consecutive POTY and Golden Boot award for the club.
Up with the best
Most goals scored for Peterborough United in a single Football League season:
Terry Bly
5⃣2⃣ (60/61)Jonson Clarke-Harris
3⃣1⃣ (20/21)Terry Bly
2⃣9⃣ (61/62)Aaron Mclean
2⃣9⃣ (07/08)Full list of 20/21 League One top scorers here ? https://t.co/pp1XfzOpHo pic.twitter.com/1tRgGkto36
— BBC Cambs Sport (@BBCCambsSport) May 9, 2021
The return of Sammie Szmodics and of on-loan midfielder Reece Brown also proved to be inspired decisions and meant all bar Toney from the team that finished last season were still together. This unity proved priceless on the path to promotion, right down to the very last moments of the campaign.
As for Joe Bursik, the goalkeeper signed on an emergency loan from Stoke City following Christy Pym’s injury against Sunderland, the 20 year-old made a very favourable impression at London Road.
The passion he showed as the Posh clinched victory on the final would have made any punter believe he was a player on a permanent deal, while the brilliant penalty save against Charlton Athletic set the club on their way to ascendancy. For many Posh fans, he will be remembered as a cult hero.
Five key moments/games
Hull City 2-1 (A) – 24 October 2020
Thanks to two second-half goals from Clarke-Harris and Siriki Dembele, Peterborough came from behind to cancel out Hull City’s dominate first-half display and extended their winning streak to five. Arguably, the Posh did not deserve to take all three points in the tie, but the belief and resilience they gained from winning away at the League One title favourites would go on to prove invaluable for the rest of the season. After this win, top sides had reason to fear their Cambridgeshire opponents.
Gillingham 3-1 (A) – 16 February 2021
After losing their last two games on the road to Shrewsbury (League One) and Tranmere Rovers (EFL Trophy), another defeat away from home would seriously question Peterborough’s promotion credentials. Albeit unfortunate, the Posh found themselves 1-0 down at Priestfield following a laborious first-half performance. But Ferguson’s incisive decision-making saw the introduction of Dembele at the break and within 10 minutes, the substitute and Clarke-Harris had fired Posh in front with the latter adding a third goal. Not only did this put Posh back up and running outside the PE1 postcode, but showed the squads flexibility and never-say-die attitude.
Accrington Stanley 7-0 (H) – 27 March 2021
When John Coleman’s Stanley visited the Weston Homes Stadium at the end of March, the home side were in need of a confidence boost following a rough month of results. The Posh had only won one of their last six matches, including two disappointing results away at Rochdale and Blackpool. Though Peterborough responded in ruthless fashion, as Clarke-Harris scored twice in the opening 10 minutes, before completing his hat trick in the second-half. Szmodics also earned himself a brace while substitutes Mo Eisa and Idris Kanu got on the score sheet. The win ensured the Posh stayed within touching distance of league leaders in the automatic spot and kept their three-point cushion between themselves and Sunderland, who were unbeaten in 12 at the time.
Fleetwood 1-0 (A) – 2 April 2021
With main rivals Hull and Sunderland grabbing late winners, it was vital Posh came away from Highbury with a victory if they wish to stay five points clear of the Black Cats in third ahead of their crunch match on Easter Monday. In recent seasons, Fleetwood had been a bogey team of Peterborough’s so when Clarke-Harris fired home a free kick in the 89th minute, the win felt somewhat more special than the seven they had scored the weekend prior.
Lincoln City 3-3 (H) – 1 May 2021
The blow of Peterborough’s 2-2 draw – having been two up after 23 minutes – against Doncaster Rovers meant Ferguson’s men only needed a point at home to Lincoln to earn their rise into the Championship. Though the dreams of promotion seemed to be dashed once more when they found themselves 3-0 down with 25 minutes to go against the only team who could deny them a place in the second tier, but their resilience shone once more as they fought back incredibly with Clarke-Harris grabbing a point and promotion from the penalty spot in the 96th minute.
Key players
Nathan Thompson – The 30-year-old was voted Posh’s Player of the Season 2020 by supporters back in December, and the full-back turned centre-half did not disappoint in the second half of the season with his ability on the ball make difficult moments in tight spaces look easy. Despite never playing in the Championship, his experience of years in the lower tiers will be all-important next season.
Jack Taylor -After signing for the Posh in January 2020, Taylor’s chance to prove the Football League his worth was cut short by coronavirus. So when the new season rolled around, the former Chelsea academy graduate had some making up to do – and he did not disappoint.
? Never in doubt!
? Jack Taylor's sensational strike for Peterborough has won him February's @SkyBet League One Goal of the Month award…@theposhofficial @jackootaylor #PUFC pic.twitter.com/B71jHizOrh
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) March 19, 2021
Taylor grew from strength to strength as the season progressed and had his hand in some crucial moments over the course of the season. Injuries did stunt his playing time but did not stop him from cementing himself as one of League One’s best midfielders .
Joe Ward – Having established as one of Peterborough’s longest serving players (2018), Ward hit a new level this season scoring five goals and assisting 13 (second to only Aiden McGeady) in 37 appearances. At times, he was on a one-man mission to ensure Posh’s promotion with lung-busting runs out wide and non-stop service into the box. Without the consistency and drive of the 26-year-old, his team would not be in the position they are in now.
Season verdict
9/10 – The only way the season could have been better for the Posh is if they had won the title. Ferguson’s management of the squad was simply outstanding and his desire to win his fourth promotion with the club has surely put an end to all arguments as to the best manager in the Posh’s history. As for the team, there may have been better teams in the past, but no other had faced so many challenges on the way to promotion.
Hopes for next season
Survive and thrive. This is the third venture Posh have had into the Championship under owner Darragh MacAnthony. Since their relegation against Crystal Palace seven years ago, the club has gained two further owners – Randy Stewart Thompson and Dr Jason Neale – and have a new stadium in the works. Only time will tell how far the club can go.
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