What happened to the sides that fell out of the Football League?

This weekend, seven sides in League Two will be fighting for their survival

Luton Town have suffered three play-off defeats since relegation (GETTY IMAGES)

This weekend, seven sides in League Two will be fighting for their survival in the Football League.

Aldershot, Wimbledon, Barnet, Dagenham & Redbridge, York, Plymouth and Torquay could all be playing in the Football Conference next season.

But will demotion spell the end of their time among the Football League for good? Or can they expect a swift return? We take a look at the journeys of the clubs relegated since demotion from the top-tiers of football was introduced...

1986-1987: Lincoln City

Won promotion back to Fourth Division at first attempt and maintained Football League status until 2010/11 season. Still in Conference National

1987-1988: Newport County

Club went out of business a year after relegation from Fourth Division. Reformed shortly afterwards and renamed as Newport A.F.C, forced to enter the Hellenic Football League. Climbed up the leagues and finally winning promotion  to Conference National for the 2010–11 season

1988-1989: Darlington

Won back to back promotions following their relegation to the Conference, finally brought out of administration in 2012 but forced to reform as  Darlington 1883 and placed in the Northern League Division One - the 9th tier of English football.

1989-1990: Colchester United

Won promotion back to the Football League two seasons later and have maintained Football League status ever since. In 2007 they recorded their highest league position - 10th place in the Championship. Currently battling against relegation in League One.

1990-1991: No Relegation

1991-1992: No Relegation

1992-1993: Halifax Town

Regained promotion in 1998 but then became the first team to be relegated to the Conference twice in 2002. The club went into administration during the 2007–08 season and after finishing 20th in the Conference National, were demoted by three divisions to the Northern Premier League Division One North when the club failed to get a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) passed. The club was reformed as F.C. Halifax Town in July 2008. Currently in the Conference North division after winning back-to-back promotions.

1994-1996: No Relegation

1996-1997: Hereford United

Finally won promotion back to the Football League after winning the 2005-06 play-offs, but were relegated to Conference National again at the end of last season.

1997-1998: Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster were relegated with a goal difference of −83 but after 5 years in the Conference they won promotion to the Football League in 2003. They currently sit in second place in League One with one game remaining.

1998-1999: Scarborough

They were relegated to the Conference North in 2006 before being dissolved in 2007 due to debts of £2.5million. The supporter's trust formed Scarborough Athletic, who now compete in the Northern Counties East League.

1999-2000: Chester City

Won promotion back to the Football League in 2004 but after relegation back to the Conference in 2009 they suffered financial problems and were dissolved in 2010. A supporters trust founded Chester FC, who have won three successive promotions and will play in the Conference National next season.

2000-2001: Barnet

Won promotion back to the Football League in 2995 and have maintained Football League status since, avoiding relegation on the final day of the season for three successive seasons.

2001-2002: Halifax Town

Became the first team to be relegated to the Conference twice in 2002. The club went into administration during the 2007–08 season and after finishing 20th in the Conference National, were demoted by three divisions to the Northern Premier League Division One North when the club failed to get a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) passed. The club was reformed as F.C. Halifax Town in July 2008. Currently in the Conference North division after winning back-to-back promotions.

2002-2003: Shrewsbury Town & Exeter City

Shrewsbury won back promotion at the first time of asking and have maintained their Football League status ever since. Exeter remained in the Conference for five years before winning back-to-back promotions to reach League One in the 2009/2010 season.

2003-2004: York City & Carlisle United

After eight seasons in the Conference York won promotion last season after winning the play-off final against Luton Town. Carlisle won immediate promotion back to League Two and the following season won the league to get promoted to League One where they have remained since.

2004-2005: Kidderminster Harriers & Cambridge United

Both have remained in the Conference National since their relegation in 2005.

2005-2006: Oxford United & Rushden & Diamonds

Oxford United won back promotion to League Two after winning the Conference play-offs in 2010 and are currently in 10th place in League Two. Rushden & Diamonds were expelled from the Conference National on 11 June 2011 due to financial instability. After dissolution fans reformed the club as AFC Rushden & Diamonds who now play in the United Counties Football League Division One - the 10th tier of English football.

2006-2007: Torquay United & Boston United 

Torquay won promotion back to the Football League in 2009 after a two year spell in the Conference. After relegation from the Football League Boston United were demoted 2 divisions as a result of unpaid tax. The following season they were placed into administration, leading to relegation to the Northern Premier League. In 2009 they won promotion back to the Conference North where they currently remain.

2007-2008: Mansfield Town & Wrexham

Mansfield Town have won this season's Conference title, regaining Football League status after five year absence. Wrexham have remained in the Conference National since their relegation in 2008.

2008-2009: Chester City and Luton Town

Chester City suffered financial problems and were dissolved in 2010. A supporters trust founded Chester FC, who have won three successive promotions and will play in the Conference National next season. Luton Town remain in the Conference National after three play-off defeats in three years.

2009-2010: Darlington and Grimsby Town

December 2011 - the club was placed in administration for the third time in a decade. They were relegated from the Conference National in the same season. Club was taken over with the intention of moving into community ownership, without entering into a Creditors Voluntary Agreement (CVA) Darlington were relegated four divisions, to the Northern League Division One - 9th tier of English football. Grimsby remain in the Conference National.

2010-2011: Lincoln City and Stockport County

Lincoln City currently lie in mid-table in the Conference National while Stockport County are battling against relegation.

2011-2012: Macclesfield Town and Hereford United

Macclesfield Town currently in midtable in the Conference and Hereford are in 7th place.