Newbies Boreham Wood & old-timers Rochdale seek EFL place

Boreham Wood's Zak Brunt and Devante Rodney of Rochdale were both on the scoresheet for their sides in the play-offs [Getty Images] New blood or an old stager? The EFL will be welcoming one of those on Sunday as Boreham Wood and Rochdale face off at Wembley in the National League's promotion final. The Wood, founded in 1948, have never been a member of the elite 92 although they have come close twice, losing 2-1 to the 10 men of Tranmere in the 2018 final and then conceding a 120th-minute winner to Notts County in a 3-2 loss five years later.

Rochdale have just spent a third season in non-league football after their 102-year stay in the EFL came to an end in 2023. York City's last-gasp equaliser in their final-day title decider meant a second year in the play-offs but, unlike last season's agonising eliminator defeat by Southend where they threw away a 3-1 lead, Dale have made it to the final. Garrard's reset fires Boreham Wood dream Luke Garrard is in his second spell in charge of Boreham Wood [Getty Images] In charge of Boreham Wood for their two near misses in promotion finals was Luke Garrard.

Garrard made more than 140 appearances for the club as a player has now taken charge of well over 500 matches in two spells as manager. Defeat in that second promotion final to Notts County was followed by relegation and Garrard's exit. He says the time away from the club was painful.

"Two years ago relegating Boreham Wood really hurt me. This is my club. I left and there were some dark times in the six months not having a job," he told the BBC's football podcast 72+.