The 2019–20 season was Stevenage's sixth consecutive season in League Two and their 44th year in existence.[5] Along with competing in League Two, the club participated in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy.
Following a winless start to the season, manager Dino Maamria was sacked in September 2019.[6] First-team coach Mark Sampson assumed control of the team in a Caretaker role, overseeing the club for 14 games.[7] With the club in 23rd-position, Graham Westley returned as manager, his fourth spell at the club.[8] Westley resigned in February 2020 and was replaced by player Alex Revell.[9]
The club were in last place of League Two when the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.[10] EFL clubs formally agreed to end the season during an EFL meeting on 9 June 2020, although "ongoing disciplinary matters" involving 23rd-placed Macclesfield Town, who had not paid their players on six separate occasions during the season, meant Stevenage might be reprieved.[10][11] Stevenage were initially relegated from League Two after an independent disciplinary panel opted to deduct Macclesfield two points on 19 June, with a further four suspended, the maximum number they could deduct without relegating them, highlighting this as a key factor in the sanctions they had chosen to impose.[12] The EFL stated it would appeal against the independent disciplinary panel's sanctions on Macclesfield,[13][14][15] winning their appeal against the points deduction on 11 August.[16] This meant that the four suspended points were activated immediately and applied to the 2019–20 season, meaning Stevenage finished in 23rd-place and consequently retained their League Two status.[16]
The season covers the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.
Pre-season
Stevenage confirmed their pre-season schedule in June 2019.[17]
Source: EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points per game; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) 12-point sending off offences[25] (R) Relegated Notes:
^As a result of Bury's expulsion from League One, only one team is relegated to maintain League Two at 24 teams.[18]
^Macclesfield Town deducted four points for failing to both pay their players' wages and to fulfil a fixture, reduced from six points after appeal.[19][20] A further seven-point deduction was given for failing to play December's match against Plymouth Argyle.[21] A further two-point deduction was given for breaches of regulations over non-payment of wages.[22] On 3 July the EFL appealed against the independent disciplinary panel's sanctions on Macclesfield.[23] A further four points were deducted on 11 August 2020, resulting in Macclesfield Town being relegated. Stevenage reprieved[24]
On 9 July 2019, the pre-determined group stage draw was announced with Invited clubs to be drawn on 12 July 2019.[33] The draw for the second round was made on 16 November 2019 live on Sky Sports.[34] The third round draw was confirmed on 5 December 2019.[35]
