"In 1986-87, promoted Charlton had battled to stay in the First Division and were forced to fight for their lives again after finishing fourth-bottom. Charlton beat Ipswich 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, then faced Leeds in a final that could not be separated over two legs, each winning 1-0 at home. The competition was proving popular, with crowds of about 30,000 packing Elland Road for both Leeds home games."
"A replay at Birmingham's St Andrew's followed a playoff to decide the playoffs, if you will. The score was level after 90 minutes and Charlton looked doomed when John Sheridan scored in extra time. But Shirtliff struck twice in four delirious minutes. It remains the only playoff final to go to a replay, after that idea was dropped."
"On the journey home, the Charlton coach hurtled down the M6 until the players, starving, demanded to stop. They pulled into a service station and tucked into cheap fast food. I'm thinking: We've just managed to stay in the First Division and we're all eating chips and god knows what in a services,' Shirtliff, now 65, says, chuckling. Every time I think about it, I think: What would they be doing now?'"
"Millwall, Hull City, Middlesbrough or Southampton are fighting to join Coventry and Ipswich in the top flight. Matt Furniss at Opta has crunched the numbers to see who is most likely to go up. Which team will win the Championship playoffs?"
Millwall, Hull City, Middlesbrough, and Southampton are competing in the Championship playoffs for promotion to the top flight, joining Coventry and Ipswich. Opta calculations identify which team is most likely to go up. Forty years ago, playoffs did not exist, and end-of-season drama quickly gained popularity despite complaints and indifferent media reaction. In 1986-87, promoted Charlton finished fourth-bottom and had to fight again through the playoffs. Charlton beat Ipswich 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-final, then faced Leeds in a two-legged final with each team winning 1-0 at home. A replay at St Andrew’s was required after the score was level after 90 minutes, with Charlton eventually winning after extra time and a late turnaround.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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