EFL League Two play-offs: Difference between revisions
m Adding Good Article icon |
|||
(20 intermediate revisions by 18 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Series of matches in English Football league Two}} |
|||
{{good article}} |
{{good article}} |
||
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} |
||
The '''EFL League Two play-offs''' are a series of [[play-offs|play-off]] matches contested by the [[association football]] teams finishing from fourth to seventh in [[EFL League Two]], the fourth tier of the [[English football league system]]. |
The '''EFL League Two play-offs''' are a series of [[play-offs|play-off]] matches contested by the [[association football]] teams finishing from fourth to seventh in [[EFL League Two]], the fourth tier of the [[English football league system]]. They are part of the annual [[English Football League play-offs]]. {{As of|2022}}, the play-offs comprise two semi-finals, where the team finishing fourth plays the team finishing seventh, and the team finishing fifth plays the team finishing sixth, each conducted as a [[two-legged tie]]. The winners of the semi-finals progress to the final which is contested at [[Wembley Stadium]]. |
||
For the first three years, the play-off final took place over two legs, played at both side's grounds. |
For the first three years, the play-off final took place over two legs, played at both side's grounds. [[Aldershot F.C.|Aldershot]] won the first Fourth Division play-off final [[1987 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|in 1987]], beating [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] 2–1 [[Aggregate score|on aggregate]]. From 1990, the play-off final was a one-off match, hosted at the [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|original Wembley Stadium]], while from 2001 to 2006, the final was played at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in [[Cardiff]] as Wembley was being rebuilt. Since 2007, the match has been hosted at Wembley Stadium except for the [[2011 Football League One play-off final|2011 final]] which took place at [[Old Trafford]] to avoid a clash with the [[2011 UEFA Champions League Final]]. |
||
When the fourth tier play-offs were first contested in 1987, they were known as the Football League Fourth Division play-offs. From 1993 to 2004, following the creation of the [[FA Premier League]] as a breakaway from the [[Football League]], the competition became known as the Third Division play-offs, and since 2005 has taken its current name as the League Two play-offs following a rebranding of the remaining three divisions of the Football League. |
When the fourth tier play-offs were first contested in 1987, they were known as the Football League Fourth Division play-offs. From 1993 to 2004, following the creation of the [[FA Premier League]] as a breakaway from the [[Football League]], the competition became known as the Third Division play-offs, and since 2005 has taken its current name as the League Two play-offs following a rebranding of the remaining three divisions of the Football League. |
||
Line 10: | Line 11: | ||
[[File:Example of play-off format from 2000 First Division play-offs.png|thumb|350px|right|alt=Play-off bracket format from 2000|An example of the play-off format, from the [[2000 Football League play-offs#Second Division|2000 Second Division play-offs]]]] |
[[File:Example of play-off format from 2000 First Division play-offs.png|thumb|350px|right|alt=Play-off bracket format from 2000|An example of the play-off format, from the [[2000 Football League play-offs#Second Division|2000 Second Division play-offs]]]] |
||
{{As of|2021}}, the League Two play-offs involve the four teams that finish directly below the automatic [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] places in [[EFL League Two]], the fourth tier of the [[English football league system]]. |
{{As of|2021}}, the League Two play-offs involve the four teams that finish directly below the automatic [[Promotion and relegation|promotion]] places in [[EFL League Two]], the fourth tier of the [[English football league system]]. These teams meet in a series of play-off matches to determine the final team that will be promoted to the [[EFL League One]]. |
||
Based on the rankings, the team finishing in fourth place plays the seventh-placed team while the team in fifth plays the sixth-placed team in the "play-off semi-finals". Two ties are played over [[two-legged tie|two legs]], with the higher-ranked side hosting the second leg. According to the [[English Football League|EFL]], "this is designed to give the highest finishing team an [[Home advantage|advantage]]".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=EFL |title=About the Play-Offs |url=https://efl.com/competitions/sky-bet-play-offs/about-the-play-offs |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=EFL |language=en}}</ref> |
|||
The winner of each semi-final is determined by the [[aggregate score]] across the two legs, with the number of goals scored in each match of the tie being added together. |
The winner of each semi-final is determined by the [[aggregate score]] across the two legs, with the number of goals scored in each match of the tie being added together. The team with the higher aggregate score qualifies for the final. If, at the end of regular 90 minutes of the second leg, the aggregate score is level then the match goes into [[Overtime (sports)|extra time]] where two 15-minute halves are played. If the score remains level at the end of extra time, the tie is decided by a [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shootout]]. The [[away goals rule]] does not apply in the play-off semi-finals.<ref name=eflexp>{{Cite web | url = https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/sky-bet-play-offs/play-off-history/ | publisher = [[English Football League]] | access-date = 21 March 2021 | title = About the Play-Offs | archive-date = 17 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210117191452/https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/sky-bet-play-offs/play-off-history/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
||
The clubs that win the semi-finals then meet at [[Wembley Stadium]], a [[Glossary of association football terms#N|neutral venue]], for a one-off match referred to as the "play-off final". |
The clubs that win the semi-finals then meet at [[Wembley Stadium]], a [[Glossary of association football terms#N|neutral venue]], for a one-off match referred to as the "play-off final". If required, extra time and a penalty shootout can be employed in the same manner as for the semi-finals to determine the winner. The runner-up and losing semi-finalists remain in League Two while the winning side are promoted.<ref name=eflexp/> The match, along with the finals of the [[EFL Championship play-offs|Championship]] and [[EFL League One play-offs|League One play-offs]], usually takes place over the [[long weekend]] of the second [[Public holidays in the United Kingdom|bank holiday]] in May.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52737202 | title = EFL play-offs: Relive some of the most memorable games | publisher = [[BBC Sport]] | access-date = 3 May 2021 | date = 22 May 2020 | first = Ian | last = Woodcock | first2 = Adam | last2 = Williams | archive-date = 3 May 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210503141652/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52737202 | url-status = live }}</ref> |
||
==Background== |
==Background== |
||
{{main| English Football League play-offs}} |
{{main| English Football League play-offs}} |
||
The mid-1980s saw a decline in attendances at football matches and public disenchantment with English football. |
The mid-1980s saw a decline in attendances at football matches and public disenchantment with English football. A number of instances of violence and tragedy struck the game. In March 1985, at the semi-final of the [[1984–85 Football League Cup]] between [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], more than 100 people were arrested after various invasions of the [[Stamford Bridge (stadium)|Stamford Bridge]] pitch and more than 40 people, including 20 policemen, were injured.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=12}} Nine days later, [[1985 Luton riot|violence flared]] at the [[FA Cup]] match between [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] and [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]]; seats were used as missiles against the police and resulted in Luton Town banning away supporters.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=13}} On 11 May, 56 people were killed and 265 injured in the [[Bradford City stadium fire]]. Less than three weeks later, 39 supporters died and more than 600 were injured in the [[Heysel Stadium disaster]] where [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] were playing [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] in [[1985 European Cup Final|the European Cup final]].{{sfn|Foster|2015|pp=14–15}} |
||
{{Quote box |
{{Quote box |
||
Line 26: | Line 28: | ||
|align = right |
|align = right |
||
}} |
}} |
||
In an attempt to persuade fans to return to the stadia, the Football League had rejected a £19{{nbsp}}million television deal to broadcast matches live on the [[BBC]] and [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] before the [[1985–86 Football League]] season, with League president [[Jack Dunnett]] suggesting that "football is prepared to have a year or two with no television".{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=19}} In December 1985, the "Heathrow Agreement" was agreed which aimed to revitalise the financial affairs of the league. |
In an attempt to persuade fans to return to the stadia, the Football League had rejected a £19{{nbsp}}million television deal to broadcast matches live on the [[BBC]] and [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] before the [[1985–86 Football League]] season, with League president [[Jack Dunnett]] suggesting that "football is prepared to have a year or two with no television".{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=19}} In December 1985, the "Heathrow Agreement" was agreed which aimed to revitalise the financial affairs of the league. It was a ten-point plan which included a structural reorganisation of the league, reducing the top tier from 22 clubs to 20, and the introduction of [[English Football League play-offs|play-offs]] to facilitate the change.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=18}} The play-offs were introduced to the end of the [[1986–87 in English football|1986–87 Football League season]].<ref name=pye>{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2015/may/22/first-football-league-play-offs-1987-charlton-swindon-aldershot | work = [[The Guardian]] | access-date = 21 March 2021 | title = How Charlton, Swindon and Aldershot triumphed in the first play-offs in 1987 | first = Steven | last = Pye | date = 22 May 2015 | archive-date = 3 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200603105618/https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2015/may/22/first-football-league-play-offs-1987-charlton-swindon-aldershot | url-status = live }}</ref> They were initially introduced for two years with the proviso that if they were successful with the general public, they would be retained permanently.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=27}} |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
In the first two seasons, the team one place above the relegation zone in the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]], along with the three clubs below the automatic promotion positions in the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]], took part in the play-offs.<ref name=pye/> In the inaugural play-offs in 1987, Third Division [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] were eliminated in the semi-finals by Fourth Division side [[Aldershot F.C.|Aldershot]] who replaced them when they won [[1987 Football League Third Division play-off |
In the first two seasons, the team one place above the relegation zone in the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]], along with the three clubs below the automatic promotion positions in the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]], took part in the play-offs.<ref name=pye/> In the inaugural play-offs in 1987, Third Division [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] were eliminated in the semi-finals by Fourth Division side [[Aldershot F.C.|Aldershot]] who replaced them when they won [[1987 Football League Third Division play-off final|the final]].<ref name=pye/>{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=195}} The following season, [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] also swapped places with Fourth Division opposition when they lost to [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] in the semi-finals who defeated [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay]] in [[1987 Football League Third Division play-off final|the final]] 5–4 on aggregate.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=197}} |
||
{| class="wikitable floatright" |
{| class="wikitable floatright" |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 51: | Line 53: | ||
|} |
|} |
||
The primary objective of the play-offs was achieved within the first two seasons, namely the reorganisation of the four leagues with 20 clubs in the first tier and 24 in the second to fourth tiers.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=62}} However, the popularity of the play-offs was such that the post-season games were retained and the [[1989 Football League play-offs|play-offs]] were the first to feature four teams from the Fourth Division:{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=62}} [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] defeated [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] over two legs in the [[1989 Football League Fourth Division play-off |
The primary objective of the play-offs was achieved within the first two seasons, namely the reorganisation of the four leagues with 20 clubs in the first tier and 24 in the second to fourth tiers.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=62}} However, the popularity of the play-offs was such that the post-season games were retained and the [[1989 Football League play-offs|play-offs]] were the first to feature four teams from the Fourth Division:{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=62}} [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] defeated [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] over two legs in the [[1989 Football League Fourth Division play-off final]].{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=199}} From 1990, the format of the final changed to a single match played at a neutral venue, initially the [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|original Wembley Stadium]]. The first winners of the inaugural one-off [[1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|final]] were [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] who beat [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] 1–0 in front of 26,404 spectators.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=200}} |
||
Wembley underwent renovations early in the 21st century and [[2000 Football League Third Division play-off |
Wembley underwent renovations early in the 21st century and [[2000 Football League Third Division play-off final|the 2000 final]] was the last to be hosted at the original stadium. Subsequently the finals were hosted at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in Cardiff, where [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] won their second fourth-tier play-off final, beating [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] 4–2 in [[2001 Football League Third Division play-off final|the final]] watched by a crowd of 23,600.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=211}} The Millennium Stadium held the finals until 2007 when the match was moved to the renovated Wembley Stadium, the first [[2007 Football League Two play-off final|such final]] seeing [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] defeat [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] 3–1 with an attendance of 61,589.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=217}} |
||
The game was relocated to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s ground, [[Old Trafford]], for a single season as a result of a scheduling clash with the [[2011 UEFA Champions League Final]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9369296.stm | publisher = [[BBC News]] | access-date = 6 May 2020 | date = 21 January 2011 | title = Old Trafford to host League One and Two play-off finals | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110125141045/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9369296.stm | archive-date = 25 January 2011 | url-status = live }}</ref> |
The game was relocated to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s ground, [[Old Trafford]], for a single season as a result of a scheduling clash with the [[2011 UEFA Champions League Final]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9369296.stm | publisher = [[BBC News]] | access-date = 6 May 2020 | date = 21 January 2011 | title = Old Trafford to host League One and Two play-off finals | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110125141045/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9369296.stm | archive-date = 25 January 2011 | url-status = live }}</ref> The most recent final, [[2020 EFL League Two play-off final|in 2020]], was held [[Behind closed doors (sport)|behind closed doors]] as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom]]: [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] defeated [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] 4–0 in front of an official attendance of 0.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53177235 | title = Exeter City 0–4 Northampton Town | first = Brent | last = Pilnick | access-date = 6 May 2021 | publisher = [[BBC Sport]] | date = 29 June 2020 | archive-date = 30 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200630223801/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53177235 | url-status = live }}</ref> |
||
Since the first play-off final, the third tier of English football's league itself has undergone a number of re-brands. |
Since the first play-off final, the third tier of English football's league itself has undergone a number of re-brands. In 1993, the Premier League was [[Foundation of the Premier League|formed]],<ref>Foster, p. 23</ref> a move which caused the fourth-tier league to be renamed as the Third Division.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/10/newsstory.sport3 | work = [[The Guardian]] | title = Division One renamed The Championship | date = 10 June 2004 | access-date = 20 January 2021 | archive-date = 11 August 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170811182319/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/10/newsstory.sport3 | url-status = live }}</ref> In 2004, the Third Division was re-branded as Football League Two,<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/aug/01/championship200405 | work = [[The Guardian]] | access-date = 21 March 2021 | title = Pop goes the Championship | first = Arindam | last = Rej | date = 1 August 2004 | archive-date = 25 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210325080621/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/aug/01/championship200405 | url-status = live }}</ref> before the League's adoption of English Football League (EFL) led to a 2016 renaming as the EFL League Two.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/11991553/Rebranded-Football-League-changing-its-name-to-English-Football-League-as-EFL-unveils-new-logo.html | title = Rebranded Football League changing its name to English Football League as EFL unveils new logo | first = Ben | last = Rumsby | access-date = 21 March 2021 | date = 12 November 2015 | work = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | archive-date = 29 September 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170929045459/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/11991553/Rebranded-Football-League-changing-its-name-to-English-Football-League-as-EFL-unveils-new-logo.html | url-status = live }}</ref> |
||
==Prize== |
==Prize== |
||
The financial value of winning the EFL League Two play-off is derived from the additional remuneration clubs in League |
The financial value of winning the EFL League Two play-off is derived from the additional remuneration clubs receive in League One. {{As of|2020}}, clubs in League One receive around £675,000 from the Premier League as a "core club" payment compared to £450,000 in League Two.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.premierleague.com/news/1939285 | publisher = [[Premier League]] | title = Premier League reveals funding for EFL clubs in 2019/20 | date = 18 December 2020 | access-date = 7 May 2021 | archive-date = 27 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210227042156/https://www.premierleague.com/news/1939285 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.premierleague.com/news/1939288 | title = Premier League 2019/20 funding for EFL clubs | date = 18 December 2020 | access-date = 9 May 2021 | publisher = [[Premier League]] | archive-date = 27 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210227043203/https://www.premierleague.com/news/1939288 | url-status = live }}</ref> The winners of the final receive a trophy.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/sky-bet-league-two-play-off-final-cullen-and-potts-fire-blackpool-to-promotion/ | title = Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final: Cullen and Potts fire Blackpool to promotion | date = 28 May 2017 | publisher = [[English Football League]] | access-date = 9 May 2021 | archive-date = 26 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201026211007/https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/sky-bet-league-two-play-off-final-cullen-and-potts-fire-blackpool-to-promotion/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
||
== Winners and semi-finalists == |
== Winners and semi-finalists == |
||
{| |
{|class="wikitable" |
||
|+Key to list of winners and semi-finalists |
|+Key to list of winners and semi-finalists |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 85: | Line 87: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope=row align=center|{{dagger|alt=Decided in extra time}} |
!scope=row align=center|{{dagger|alt=Decided in extra time}} |
||
|Final decided in [[Overtime (sports)|extra time]] |
|Final decided in [[Overtime (sports)#Association football|extra time]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope=row align=center|{{double dagger|alt=Decided by a penalty |
!scope=row align=center|{{double dagger|alt=Decided by a penalty shoot-out}} |
||
|Final decided by a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty |
|Final decided by a [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-out]] |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope=row align=center|Runner-up |
!scope=row align=center|Runner-up |
||
Line 98: | Line 100: | ||
[[File:Wembley Stadium Twin Towers.jpg|alt=Original Wembley Stadium|thumb|The [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|original Wembley Stadium]] hosted the fourth-tier play-off final between 1990 and 2000.]] |
[[File:Wembley Stadium Twin Towers.jpg|alt=Original Wembley Stadium|thumb|The [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|original Wembley Stadium]] hosted the fourth-tier play-off final between 1990 and 2000.]] |
||
[[File:Millennium Stadium (aerial view).jpg|alt=Millennium Stadium|thumb|The final was held at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in Cardiff between 2001 and 2006 while Wembley was being redeveloped.]] |
[[File:Millennium Stadium (aerial view).jpg|alt=Millennium Stadium|thumb|The final was held at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in Cardiff between 2001 and 2006 while Wembley was being redeveloped.]] |
||
[[File:Wembley- |
[[File:Wembley-Stadion 2013.jpg|alt=Wembley Stadium|thumb|The redeveloped [[Wembley Stadium]] has been host to the League Two play-off final every year since 2007 except in 2011.]] |
||
[[File:Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury Town, League 2 Play Off Final, Wembley 2007 (515914825).jpg|thumb|alt=Bristol Rovers playing Shrewsbury Town at Wembley|Bristol Rovers playing Shrewsbury Town in the [[2007 Football League Two play-off |
[[File:Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury Town, League 2 Play Off Final, Wembley 2007 (515914825).jpg|thumb|alt=Bristol Rovers playing Shrewsbury Town at Wembley|Bristol Rovers playing Shrewsbury Town in the [[2007 Football League Two play-off final]].]] |
||
[[File:Manchester United Panorama (8051523746).jpg|thumb|In 2011, [[Old Trafford]] was used for the final to avoid a clash with the Champions League final.]] |
[[File:Manchester United Panorama (8051523746).jpg|thumb|In 2011, [[Old Trafford]] was used for the final to avoid a clash with the Champions League final.]] |
||
[[File:2018 League Two play-off Final - Pre-match 2.jpg|alt=Wembley Stadium before the 2018 EFL League Two play-off |
[[File:2018 League Two play-off Final - Pre-match 2.jpg|alt=Wembley Stadium before the 2018 EFL League Two play-off final|thumb|right|Wembley Stadium before the [[2018 EFL League Two play-off final]]]] |
||
[[File:EFL_League_Two_play-off_trophy.jpg|alt=The trophy awarded to the play-off winners, pictured in Port Vale colours in 2022|thumb|right|The trophy awarded to the play-off winners, pictured in Port Vale colours in 2022]] |
|||
{| class="sortable wikitable" |
{| class="sortable wikitable" |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 117: | Line 120: | ||
| [[Recreation Ground (Aldershot)|Recreation Ground]]/[[Molineux Stadium|Molineux]] ^ |
| [[Recreation Ground (Aldershot)|Recreation Ground]]/[[Molineux Stadium|Molineux]] ^ |
||
| [[Aldershot F.C.|Aldershot]] (1) |
| [[Aldershot F.C.|Aldershot]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1987 Football League Fourth Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1987 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|3–0]] |
||
| [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] |
| [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] |
||
| [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]<br>[[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] |
| [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]<br />[[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=195}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=195}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 125: | Line 128: | ||
| [[Vetch Field]]/[[Plainmoor]] ^ |
| [[Vetch Field]]/[[Plainmoor]] ^ |
||
| [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] (1) |
| [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1988 Football League Fourth Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1988 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|5–4]] |
||
| [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
| [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
||
| [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]<br>[[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
| [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]<br />[[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=197}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=197}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 133: | Line 136: | ||
| [[Racecourse Ground]]/[[Brisbane Road]] ^ |
| [[Racecourse Ground]]/[[Brisbane Road]] ^ |
||
| [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] (1) |
| [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1989 Football League Fourth Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1989 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|2–1]] |
||
| [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] |
| [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] |
||
| [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]]<br>[[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
| [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]]<br />[[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=199}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=199}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 141: | Line 144: | ||
| rowspan=11| [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium (original)]] |
| rowspan=11| [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium (original)]] |
||
| [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] (1) |
| [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1990 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] |
| [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] |
||
| [[Maidstone United F.C.|Maidstone United]]<br>[[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] |
| [[Maidstone United F.C.|Maidstone United]]<br />[[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=200}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=200}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[1991 Football League play-offs#Fourth Division|1991]] |
| [[1991 Football League play-offs#Fourth Division|1991]] |
||
| [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] (1) |
| [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1991 Football League Fourth Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1991 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|2–2]] {{double dagger|alt=Decided by a penalty shoot-out}}{{efn| Torquay United won the 1991 Football League Fourth Division play-off final with a 5–4 penalty shoot-out victory over Blackpool.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=201}}}} |
||
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] |
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] |
||
| [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]]<br>[[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
| [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]]<br />[[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=201}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=201}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[1992 Football League play-offs#Fourth Division|1992]] |
| [[1992 Football League play-offs#Fourth Division|1992]] |
||
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] (1) |
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1992 Football League Fourth Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1992 Football League Fourth Division play-off final|1–1]] {{double dagger|alt=Decided by a penalty shoot-out}}{{efn|Blackpool won the 1992 Football League Fourth Division play-off final with a 4–3 penalty shoot-out victory over Scunthorpe United.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=202}}}} |
||
| [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
| [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
||
| [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]<br>[[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] |
| [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]<br />[[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=202}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=202}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[1993 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1993]] |
| [[1993 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1993]] |
||
| [[York City F.C.|York City]] (1) |
| [[York City F.C.|York City]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1993 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1993 Football League Third Division play-off final|1–1]] {{double dagger|alt=Decided by a penalty shoot-out}}{{efn|York City won the 1993 Football League Third Division play-off final with a 5–3 penalty shoot-out victory over Crewe Alexandra.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=203}}}} |
||
| [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] |
| [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] |
||
| [[Bury F.C.|Bury]]<br>[[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] |
| [[Bury F.C.|Bury]]<br />[[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=203}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=203}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[1994 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1994]] |
| [[1994 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1994]] |
||
| [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] (1) |
| [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1994 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1994 Football League Third Division play-off final|4–2]] |
||
| [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] |
| [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] |
||
| [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]]<br>[[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
| [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]]<br />[[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=204}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=204}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[1995 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1995]] |
| [[1995 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1995]] |
||
| [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] (1) |
| [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1995 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1995 Football League Third Division play-off final|2–0]] |
||
| [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] |
| [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] |
||
| [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]]<br>[[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] |
| [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]]<br />[[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=205}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=205}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[1996 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1996]] |
| [[1996 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1996]] |
||
| [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] (1) |
| [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1996 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1996 Football League Third Division play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] |
| [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] |
||
| [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]]<br>[[Hereford United F.C.|Hereford United]] |
| [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]]<br />[[Hereford United F.C.|Hereford United]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=206}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=206}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[1997 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1997]] |
| [[1997 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1997]] |
||
| [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] (1) |
| [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1997 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1997 Football League Third Division play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] |
| [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] |
||
| [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]<br>[[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]] |
| [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]<br />[[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=207}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=207}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[1998 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1998]] |
| [[1998 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1998]] |
||
| [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] (1) |
| [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1998 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1998 Football League Third Division play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
| [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
||
| [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]<br>[[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]] |
| [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]<br />[[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=208}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=208}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[1999 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1999]] |
| [[1999 Football League play-offs#Third Division|1999]] |
||
| [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] (1) |
| [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[1999 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[1999 Football League Third Division play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] |
| [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] |
||
| [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]<br>[[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] |
| [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]]<br />[[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=209}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=209}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2000 Football League play-offs#Third Division|2000]] |
| [[2000 Football League play-offs#Third Division|2000]] |
||
| [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] (1) |
| [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2000 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[2000 Football League Third Division play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] |
| [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]] |
||
| [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]<br>[[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] |
| [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]]<br />[[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=210}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=210}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 219: | Line 222: | ||
| rowspan=6|[[Millennium Stadium]] |
| rowspan=6|[[Millennium Stadium]] |
||
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] (2) |
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] (2) |
||
! scope=row| [[2001 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[2001 Football League Third Division play-off final|4–2]] |
||
| [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] |
| [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] |
||
| [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]]<br>[[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] |
| [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]]<br />[[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=211}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=211}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2002 Football League play-offs#Third Division|2002]] |
| [[2002 Football League play-offs#Third Division|2002]] |
||
| [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] (1) |
| [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2002 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[2002 Football League Third Division play-off final|3–1]] |
||
| [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]] |
| [[Rushden & Diamonds F.C.|Rushden & Diamonds]] |
||
| [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]]<br>[[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] |
| [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]]<br />[[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=212}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=212}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2003 Football League play-offs#Third Division|2003]] |
| [[2003 Football League play-offs#Third Division|2003]] |
||
| [[AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth]] (1) |
| [[AFC Bournemouth|Bournemouth]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2003 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[2003 Football League Third Division play-off final|5–2]] |
||
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] |
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] |
||
| [[Bury F.C.|Bury]]<br>[[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
| [[Bury F.C.|Bury]]<br />[[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=213}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=213}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2004 Football League play-offs#Third Division|2004]] |
| [[2004 Football League play-offs#Third Division|2004]] |
||
| [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] (1) |
| [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2004 Football League Third Division play-off |
! scope=row| [[2004 Football League Third Division play-off final|0–0]] {{double dagger|alt=Decided by a penalty shoot-out}}{{efn|Huddersfield Town won the 2004 Football League Third Division play-off final with a 4–1 penalty shoot-out victory over Mansfield Town.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=214}}}} |
||
| [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] |
| [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] |
||
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]<br>[[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] |
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]<br />[[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=214}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=214}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2005 Football League play-offs#League Two|2005]] |
| [[2005 Football League play-offs#League Two|2005]] |
||
| [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] (1) |
| [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2005 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2005 Football League Two play-off final|2–0]] {{dagger|alt=Decided in extra time}} |
||
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] |
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] |
||
| [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]]<br>[[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] |
| [[Macclesfield Town F.C.|Macclesfield Town]]<br />[[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=215}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=215}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2006 Football League play-offs#League Two|2006]] |
| [[2006 Football League play-offs#League Two|2006]] |
||
| [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] (2) |
| [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] (2) |
||
! scope=row| [[2006 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2006 Football League Two play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] |
| [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] |
||
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]<br>[[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] |
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]<br />[[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=216}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=216}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 262: | Line 265: | ||
| rowspan=4| [[Wembley Stadium]] |
| rowspan=4| [[Wembley Stadium]] |
||
| [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] (1) |
| [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2007 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2007 Football League Two play-off final|3–1]] |
||
| [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] |
| [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] |
||
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]<br>[[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] |
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]<br />[[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=217}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=217}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2008 Football League play-offs#League Two|2008]] |
| [[2008 Football League play-offs#League Two|2008]] |
||
| [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] (1) |
| [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2008 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2008 Football League Two play-off final|3–2]] |
||
| [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] |
| [[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] |
||
| [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]]<br>[[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] |
| [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]]<br />[[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=218}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=218}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2009 Football League play-offs#League Two|2009]] |
| [[2009 Football League play-offs#League Two|2009]] |
||
| [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] (1) |
| [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2009 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2009 Football League Two play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] |
| [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] |
||
| [[Bury F.C.|Bury]]<br>[[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] |
| [[Bury F.C.|Bury]]<br />[[Rochdale A.F.C.|Rochdale]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=219}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=219}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2010 Football League play-offs#League Two|2010]] |
| [[2010 Football League play-offs#League Two|2010]] |
||
| [[Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham & Redbridge]] (1) |
| [[Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham & Redbridge]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2010 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2010 Football League Two play-off final|3–2]] |
||
| [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] |
| [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] |
||
| [[Aldershot Town F.C.|Aldershot Town]]<br>[[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] |
| [[Aldershot Town F.C.|Aldershot Town]]<br />[[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=220}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=220}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
Line 291: | Line 294: | ||
| [[Old Trafford]] |
| [[Old Trafford]] |
||
| [[Stevenage F.C.|Stevenage]] (1) |
| [[Stevenage F.C.|Stevenage]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2011 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2011 Football League Two play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
| [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
||
| [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]]<br>[[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] |
| [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]]<br />[[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=221}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=221}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2012 Football League play-offs#League Two|2012]] |
| [[2012 Football League play-offs#League Two|2012]] |
||
| rowspan= |
| rowspan=13| [[Wembley Stadium]] |
||
| [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] (1) |
| [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2012 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2012 Football League Two play-off final|2–0]] |
||
| [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] |
| [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] |
||
| [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]<br>[[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
| [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]<br />[[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=222}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=222}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2013 Football League play-offs#League Two|2013]] |
| [[2013 Football League play-offs#League Two|2013]] |
||
| [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] (1) |
| [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2013 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2013 Football League Two play-off final|3–0]] |
||
| [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] |
| [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] |
||
| [[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion]]<br>[[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] |
| [[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion]]<br />[[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=223}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=223}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2014 Football League play-offs#League Two|2014]] |
| [[2014 Football League play-offs#League Two|2014]] |
||
| [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]] (1) |
| [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2014 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2014 Football League Two play-off final|1–0]] |
||
| [[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion]] |
| [[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion]] |
||
| [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]<br>[[York City F.C.|York City]] |
| [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]<br />[[York City F.C.|York City]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=224}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=224}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2015 Football League play-offs#League Two|2015]] |
| [[2015 Football League play-offs#League Two|2015]] |
||
| [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] (2) |
| [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] (2) |
||
! scope=row| [[2015 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2015 Football League Two play-off final|1–1]] {{double dagger|alt=Decided by a penalty shoot-out}}{{efn|Southend United won the 2015 Football League Two play-off final with a 7–6 penalty shoot-out victory over Wycombe Wanderers.{{sfn|Foster|2015|p=225}}}} |
||
| [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] |
| [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]] |
||
| [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]]<br>[[Stevenage F.C.|Stevenage]] |
| [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]]<br />[[Stevenage F.C.|Stevenage]] |
||
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=225}} |
| {{sfn|Foster|2015|p=225}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2016 Football League play-offs#League Two|2016]] |
| [[2016 Football League play-offs#League Two|2016]] |
||
| [[AFC Wimbledon]] (1) |
| [[AFC Wimbledon]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2016 Football League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2016 Football League Two play-off final|2–0]] |
||
| [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] |
| [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] |
||
| [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]]<br>[[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] |
| [[Accrington Stanley F.C.|Accrington Stanley]]<br />[[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] |
||
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2016/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2015–16 season}}</ref> |
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2016/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2015–16 season}}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2017 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2017]] |
| [[2017 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2017]] |
||
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] (3) |
| [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] (3) |
||
! scope=row| [[2017 EFL League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2017 EFL League Two play-off final|2–1]] |
||
| [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] |
| [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] |
||
| [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]]<br>[[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] |
| [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]]<br />[[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] |
||
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2017/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2016–17 season}}</ref> |
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2017/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2016–17 season}}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2018 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2018]] |
| [[2018 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2018]] |
||
| [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] (1) |
| [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2018 EFL League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2018 EFL League Two play-off final|3–1]] |
||
| [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] |
| [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] |
||
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]<br>[[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] |
| [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]<br />[[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] |
||
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2018/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2017–18 season | archive-date = 11 April 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200411191036/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2018/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2018/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2017–18 season | archive-date = 11 April 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200411191036/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2018/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2019 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2019]] |
| [[2019 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2019]] |
||
| [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] (1) |
| [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2019 EFL League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2019 EFL League Two play-off final|1–0]] {{dagger|alt=Decided in extra time}} |
||
| [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]] |
| [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]] |
||
| [[Forest Green Rovers F.C.|Forest Green Rovers]]<br>[[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] |
| [[Forest Green Rovers F.C.|Forest Green Rovers]]<br />[[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] |
||
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2019/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2018–19 season | archive-date = 9 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201009130918/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2019/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2019/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2018–19 season | archive-date = 9 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201009130918/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2019/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2020 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2020]] |
| [[2020 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2020]] |
||
| [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] (2) |
| [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] (2) |
||
! scope=row| [[2020 EFL League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2020 EFL League Two play-off final|4–0]] |
||
| [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] |
| [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] |
||
| [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]]<br>[[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] |
| [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]]<br />[[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]] |
||
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2020/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2019–20 season | archive-date = 1 December 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201201014958/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2020/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
| <ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2020/ | website = 11v11 | publisher = AFS Enterprises | access-date = 8 May 2021 | title = League Two end of season table for 2019–20 season | archive-date = 1 December 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201201014958/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2020/ | url-status = live }}</ref> |
||
|- |
|- |
||
| [[2021 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2021]] |
| [[2021 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2021]] |
||
| [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] (1) |
| [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] (1) |
||
! scope=row| [[2021 EFL League Two play-off |
! scope=row| [[2021 EFL League Two play-off final|1–0]] {{dagger|alt=Decided in extra time}} |
||
| [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]] |
| [[Newport County A.F.C.|Newport County]] |
||
| [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]]<br>[[Forest Green Rovers F.C.|Forest Green Rovers]] |
| [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]]<br />[[Forest Green Rovers F.C.|Forest Green Rovers]] |
||
| <ref>{{Cite web | url =https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2021/|title=League Two table 2020/21|website=11v11| |
| <ref>{{Cite web | url =https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2021/|title=League Two table 2020/21|website=11v11|access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref> |
||
|- |
|||
| [[2022 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2022]] |
|||
| [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]] (1) |
|||
! scope=row| [[2022 EFL League Two play-off final|3–0]] |
|||
| [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] |
|||
| [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]]<br />[[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] |
|||
| <ref>{{Cite web | url =https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2022/|title=League Two table 2021/22|website=11v11|access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2023 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2023]] |
|||
| [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] (1) |
|||
! scope=row| [[2023 EFL League Two play-off final|1–1]] {{double dagger|alt=Decided by a penalty shoot-out}}{{efn|Carlisle United won the 2023 EFL League Two play-off final with a 5–4 penalty shoot-out victory over Stockport County.}} |
|||
| [[Stockport County F.C.|Stockport County]] |
|||
| [[Salford City F.C.|Salford City]]<br />[[Bradford City F.C.|Bradford City]] |
|||
| <ref>{{cite web |title=2022/23 Playoff Final |url=https://www.11v11.com/ |website=www.11v11.com/matches/carlisle-united-v-stockport-county-28-may-2023-379553/ |access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> |
|||
|- |
|||
| [[2024 English Football League play-offs#League Two|2024]] |
|||
| [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]] |
|||
! scope=row| [[2024 EFL League Two play-off final|2–0]] |
|||
| [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]] |
|||
| [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]]<br /> [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] |
|||
| |
|||
|} |
|} |
||
==Records== |
==Records== |
||
[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] have been promoted from the fourth tier of English football by winning the play-off final on three occasions, more than any other team, while [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]], [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] and [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] have won two finals. |
[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] have been promoted from the fourth tier of English football by winning the play-off final on three occasions, more than any other team, while [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]], [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] and [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]] have won two finals. Both [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] and [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]] have lost in the final three times.{{sfn|Foster|2015|pages=194–225}} |
||
==Notes== |
==Notes== |
||
{{notelist}} |
{{notelist}} |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
||
===Bibliography=== |
===Bibliography=== |
||
*{{Cite book | title = The Agony & The Ecstasy | first = Richard | last = Foster | isbn= 978-1-9109-0600-2| publisher = Ockley Books | date = |
*{{Cite book | title = The Agony & The Ecstasy | first = Richard | last = Foster | isbn= 978-1-9109-0600-2| publisher = Ockley Books | date = 2015}} |
||
{{Football League |
{{English Football League play-offs|state=uncollapsed|2}} |
||
{{Football League Play-offs}} |
|||
[[Category:EFL League Two|Play-Offs]] |
[[Category:EFL League Two|Play-Offs]] |
Latest revision as of 14:20, 19 May 2024
The EFL League Two play-offs are a series of play-off matches contested by the association football teams finishing from fourth to seventh in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system. They are part of the annual English Football League play-offs. As of 2022[update], the play-offs comprise two semi-finals, where the team finishing fourth plays the team finishing seventh, and the team finishing fifth plays the team finishing sixth, each conducted as a two-legged tie. The winners of the semi-finals progress to the final which is contested at Wembley Stadium.
For the first three years, the play-off final took place over two legs, played at both side's grounds. Aldershot won the first Fourth Division play-off final in 1987, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 2–1 on aggregate. From 1990, the play-off final was a one-off match, hosted at the original Wembley Stadium, while from 2001 to 2006, the final was played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as Wembley was being rebuilt. Since 2007, the match has been hosted at Wembley Stadium except for the 2011 final which took place at Old Trafford to avoid a clash with the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final.
When the fourth tier play-offs were first contested in 1987, they were known as the Football League Fourth Division play-offs. From 1993 to 2004, following the creation of the FA Premier League as a breakaway from the Football League, the competition became known as the Third Division play-offs, and since 2005 has taken its current name as the League Two play-offs following a rebranding of the remaining three divisions of the Football League.
Format
[edit]![Play-off bracket format from 2000](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Example_of_play-off_format_from_2000_First_Division_play-offs.png/350px-Example_of_play-off_format_from_2000_First_Division_play-offs.png)
As of 2021[update], the League Two play-offs involve the four teams that finish directly below the automatic promotion places in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system. These teams meet in a series of play-off matches to determine the final team that will be promoted to the EFL League One. Based on the rankings, the team finishing in fourth place plays the seventh-placed team while the team in fifth plays the sixth-placed team in the "play-off semi-finals". Two ties are played over two legs, with the higher-ranked side hosting the second leg. According to the EFL, "this is designed to give the highest finishing team an advantage".[1]
The winner of each semi-final is determined by the aggregate score across the two legs, with the number of goals scored in each match of the tie being added together. The team with the higher aggregate score qualifies for the final. If, at the end of regular 90 minutes of the second leg, the aggregate score is level then the match goes into extra time where two 15-minute halves are played. If the score remains level at the end of extra time, the tie is decided by a penalty shootout. The away goals rule does not apply in the play-off semi-finals.[2]
The clubs that win the semi-finals then meet at Wembley Stadium, a neutral venue, for a one-off match referred to as the "play-off final". If required, extra time and a penalty shootout can be employed in the same manner as for the semi-finals to determine the winner. The runner-up and losing semi-finalists remain in League Two while the winning side are promoted.[2] The match, along with the finals of the Championship and League One play-offs, usually takes place over the long weekend of the second bank holiday in May.[3]
Background
[edit]The mid-1980s saw a decline in attendances at football matches and public disenchantment with English football. A number of instances of violence and tragedy struck the game. In March 1985, at the semi-final of the 1984–85 Football League Cup between Chelsea and Sunderland, more than 100 people were arrested after various invasions of the Stamford Bridge pitch and more than 40 people, including 20 policemen, were injured.[4] Nine days later, violence flared at the FA Cup match between Millwall and Luton Town; seats were used as missiles against the police and resulted in Luton Town banning away supporters.[5] On 11 May, 56 people were killed and 265 injured in the Bradford City stadium fire. Less than three weeks later, 39 supporters died and more than 600 were injured in the Heysel Stadium disaster where Liverpool were playing Juventus in the European Cup final.[6]
Initially the Play-Offs would operate for two years, but if they proved popular with spectators they could become a permanent part of the calendar.
Heathrow Agreement[7]
In an attempt to persuade fans to return to the stadia, the Football League had rejected a £19 million television deal to broadcast matches live on the BBC and ITV before the 1985–86 Football League season, with League president Jack Dunnett suggesting that "football is prepared to have a year or two with no television".[8] In December 1985, the "Heathrow Agreement" was agreed which aimed to revitalise the financial affairs of the league. It was a ten-point plan which included a structural reorganisation of the league, reducing the top tier from 22 clubs to 20, and the introduction of play-offs to facilitate the change.[9] The play-offs were introduced to the end of the 1986–87 Football League season.[10] They were initially introduced for two years with the proviso that if they were successful with the general public, they would be retained permanently.[7]
History
[edit]In the first two seasons, the team one place above the relegation zone in the Third Division, along with the three clubs below the automatic promotion positions in the Fourth Division, took part in the play-offs.[10] In the inaugural play-offs in 1987, Third Division Bolton Wanderers were eliminated in the semi-finals by Fourth Division side Aldershot who replaced them when they won the final.[10][11] The following season, Rotherham United also swapped places with Fourth Division opposition when they lost to Swansea City in the semi-finals who defeated Torquay in the final 5–4 on aggregate.[12]
Years | Name |
---|---|
1987–1992 | Football League Fourth Division play-offs |
1993–2004 | Football League Third Division play-offs |
2005–2015 | Football League Two play-offs |
2016–present | EFL League Two play-offs |
The primary objective of the play-offs was achieved within the first two seasons, namely the reorganisation of the four leagues with 20 clubs in the first tier and 24 in the second to fourth tiers.[13] However, the popularity of the play-offs was such that the post-season games were retained and the play-offs were the first to feature four teams from the Fourth Division:[13] Leyton Orient defeated Wrexham over two legs in the 1989 Football League Fourth Division play-off final.[14] From 1990, the format of the final changed to a single match played at a neutral venue, initially the original Wembley Stadium. The first winners of the inaugural one-off final were Cambridge United who beat Chesterfield 1–0 in front of 26,404 spectators.[15]
Wembley underwent renovations early in the 21st century and the 2000 final was the last to be hosted at the original stadium. Subsequently the finals were hosted at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, where Blackpool won their second fourth-tier play-off final, beating Leyton Orient 4–2 in the final watched by a crowd of 23,600.[16] The Millennium Stadium held the finals until 2007 when the match was moved to the renovated Wembley Stadium, the first such final seeing Bristol Rovers defeat Shrewsbury Town 3–1 with an attendance of 61,589.[17]
The game was relocated to Manchester United's ground, Old Trafford, for a single season as a result of a scheduling clash with the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final.[18] The most recent final, in 2020, was held behind closed doors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom: Northampton Town defeated Exeter City 4–0 in front of an official attendance of 0.[19]
Since the first play-off final, the third tier of English football's league itself has undergone a number of re-brands. In 1993, the Premier League was formed,[20] a move which caused the fourth-tier league to be renamed as the Third Division.[21] In 2004, the Third Division was re-branded as Football League Two,[22] before the League's adoption of English Football League (EFL) led to a 2016 renaming as the EFL League Two.[23]
Prize
[edit]The financial value of winning the EFL League Two play-off is derived from the additional remuneration clubs receive in League One. As of 2020[update], clubs in League One receive around £675,000 from the Premier League as a "core club" payment compared to £450,000 in League Two.[24][25] The winners of the final receive a trophy.[26]
Winners and semi-finalists
[edit]Year | Link to play-off article for specified year |
---|---|
Venue | Location(s) of the final match(es) |
Winner (X) | Team that won play-off final, (X) indicates cumulative number of play-off final victories |
Final | Link to play-off final article for the specified match |
^ | Final played over two legs |
R | Final decided by a replay |
† | Final decided in extra time |
‡ | Final decided by a penalty shoot-out |
Runner-up | Team that lost play-off final |
Semi-finalists | Two teams that lost in play-off semi-finals |
![Original Wembley Stadium](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Wembley_Stadium_Twin_Towers.jpg/220px-Wembley_Stadium_Twin_Towers.jpg)
![Millennium Stadium](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Millennium_Stadium_%28aerial_view%29.jpg/220px-Millennium_Stadium_%28aerial_view%29.jpg)
![Wembley Stadium](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Wembley-Stadion_2013.jpg/220px-Wembley-Stadion_2013.jpg)
![Bristol Rovers playing Shrewsbury Town at Wembley](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Bristol_Rovers_v_Shrewsbury_Town%2C_League_2_Play_Off_Final%2C_Wembley_2007_%28515914825%29.jpg/220px-Bristol_Rovers_v_Shrewsbury_Town%2C_League_2_Play_Off_Final%2C_Wembley_2007_%28515914825%29.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Manchester_United_Panorama_%288051523746%29.jpg/220px-Manchester_United_Panorama_%288051523746%29.jpg)
![Wembley Stadium before the 2018 EFL League Two play-off final](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/2018_League_Two_play-off_Final_-_Pre-match_2.jpg/220px-2018_League_Two_play-off_Final_-_Pre-match_2.jpg)
![The trophy awarded to the play-off winners, pictured in Port Vale colours in 2022](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/EFL_League_Two_play-off_trophy.jpg/220px-EFL_League_Two_play-off_trophy.jpg)
Records
[edit]Blackpool have been promoted from the fourth tier of English football by winning the play-off final on three occasions, more than any other team, while Cheltenham Town, Northampton Town and Southend United have won two finals. Both Exeter City and Torquay United have lost in the final three times.[58]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Torquay United won the 1991 Football League Fourth Division play-off final with a 5–4 penalty shoot-out victory over Blackpool.[27]
- ^ Blackpool won the 1992 Football League Fourth Division play-off final with a 4–3 penalty shoot-out victory over Scunthorpe United.[28]
- ^ York City won the 1993 Football League Third Division play-off final with a 5–3 penalty shoot-out victory over Crewe Alexandra.[29]
- ^ Huddersfield Town won the 2004 Football League Third Division play-off final with a 4–1 penalty shoot-out victory over Mansfield Town.[39]
- ^ Southend United won the 2015 Football League Two play-off final with a 7–6 penalty shoot-out victory over Wycombe Wanderers.[49]
- ^ Carlisle United won the 2023 EFL League Two play-off final with a 5–4 penalty shoot-out victory over Stockport County.
References
[edit]- ^ EFL. "About the Play-Offs". EFL. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
- ^ a b "About the Play-Offs". English Football League. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ Woodcock, Ian; Williams, Adam (22 May 2020). "EFL play-offs: Relive some of the most memorable games". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 12.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 13.
- ^ Foster 2015, pp. 14–15.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 27.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 19.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 18.
- ^ a b c Pye, Steven (22 May 2015). "How Charlton, Swindon and Aldershot triumphed in the first play-offs in 1987". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 June 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 195.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 197.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 62.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 199.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 200.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 211.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 217.
- ^ "Old Trafford to host League One and Two play-off finals". BBC News. 21 January 2011. Archived from the original on 25 January 2011. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
- ^ Pilnick, Brent (29 June 2020). "Exeter City 0–4 Northampton Town". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 30 June 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ Foster, p. 23
- ^ "Division One renamed The Championship". The Guardian. 10 June 2004. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ Rej, Arindam (1 August 2004). "Pop goes the Championship". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ Rumsby, Ben (12 November 2015). "Rebranded Football League changing its name to English Football League as EFL unveils new logo". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 29 September 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ^ "Premier League reveals funding for EFL clubs in 2019/20". Premier League. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.
- ^ "Premier League 2019/20 funding for EFL clubs". Premier League. 18 December 2020. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ "Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final: Cullen and Potts fire Blackpool to promotion". English Football League. 28 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 201.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 202.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 203.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 204.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 205.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 206.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 207.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 208.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 209.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 210.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 212.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 213.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 214.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 215.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 216.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 218.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 219.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 220.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 221.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 222.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 223.
- ^ Foster 2015, p. 224.
- ^ a b Foster 2015, p. 225.
- ^ "League Two end of season table for 2015–16 season". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "League Two end of season table for 2016–17 season". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "League Two end of season table for 2017–18 season". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 11 April 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "League Two end of season table for 2018–19 season". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "League Two end of season table for 2019–20 season". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "League Two table 2020/21". 11v11. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "League Two table 2021/22". 11v11. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
- ^ "2022/23 Playoff Final". www.11v11.com/matches/carlisle-united-v-stockport-county-28-may-2023-379553/. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Foster 2015, pp. 194–225.
Bibliography
[edit]- Foster, Richard (2015). The Agony & The Ecstasy. Ockley Books. ISBN 978-1-9109-0600-2.