The story of the Football League playoffs is a fascinating one, filled with drama, innovation, and a bit of chaos. It's a tale that began in the mid-1980s, when English football was in turmoil, and a group of officials sought to save the league from its woes. The playoffs, as we know them today, were born out of a desire to generate revenue for lower-league clubs, add some late-season excitement, and, perhaps most importantly, keep the Football League alive and kicking. But what makes this story particularly intriguing is the unexpected journey it took to become one of the most cherished fixtures in English football. Let's take a closer look at how this idea, conceived in the midst of division and chaos, evolved into the "richest game in football."
The Mid-1980s: A Time of Turmoil
In the mid-1980s, English football was in a state of flux. Hooliganism was a major issue, with headlines dominated by violent clashes between fans and police. The Bradford stadium fire in 1985 was a stark reminder of the dangers of the game, and attendances were in decline. To make matters worse, there was a threat of a breakaway Super League led by some of the biggest clubs, who wanted more power and a greater share of revenue. The lower-league clubs, struggling to survive, believed the richness of the English game lay in its pyramid structure. Negotiations with the BBC and ITV had broken down, leaving a season without televised football, and sponsors were losing interest. It was a dark time for the Football League, and something had to be done.
The Birth of the Playoffs
In December 1985, a meeting was held at the Post House hotel near Heathrow, where 10 officials representing all four divisions gathered to find a solution. Gordon Taylor, the Professional Footballers’ Association chair, acted as an intermediary during the six-hour meeting. Out of this division and chaos, the playoffs were born. The idea was proposed by Brentford’s chair, Martin Lange, as a way to generate revenue for Third and Fourth Division clubs who would lose money under the new deal. Second Division clubs liked the concept so much that they adopted it, too. Lange can't take all the credit, however; the idea was first floated in 1972 by the then Football League secretary, Alan Hardaker, but it didn't receive the same reception.
The Heathrow Agreement
As part of what became known as the Heathrow Agreement, the First Division would shrink from 22 to 20 teams. To make a fair and equitable transition, there would be a system of staggered promotion and relegation, supplemented by a system of playoffs. The exact format for these playoffs was yet to be worked out, but they would be similar to those used in American leagues and would be tried in all divisions. Initially, the playoffs would operate for two years, but if they proved popular with spectators, they could become a permanent part of the calendar.
The First Iteration
In the first iteration, the fourth-bottom team in the First Division competed with the third, fourth, and fifth-placed teams in the Second Division. The wider membership still had to vote on the plans, which were not universally liked. Meeting minutes describe the proposals as "the best of a bad job." Before an EGM at the Cumberland hotel on 28 April 1986, the 22 First Division chairmen threatened to break away if the Heathrow Agreement were not adopted. Faced with that ultimatum, the plans were reluctantly accepted. The Football League had survived, and work began on finalising the playoff format.
The Structure is Confirmed
On 23 May 1986, the structure was confirmed: the semi-finals and final would be decided over two legs and by away goals. If scores were still level after this, a replay would be played the next day, which would go to extra time and penalties. Initially, teams "would toss a coin for venue," though this was later replaced by neutral grounds. Semi-final replays were dropped. Meeting minutes from 6 April 1987 reveal a suggestion that corners be counted to decide the final if away goals could not separate teams, though the notion of promotion and relegation being settled by who won more corners never progressed.
The Backlash
Although clubs had agreed to the system, it wasn't until the consequences were felt at the end of the 1986-87 season that the backlash began. Straight after winning the inaugural Third Division playoff final, Swindon’s manager, Lou Macari, called for the format to be abolished. Joe Royle was furious after Oldham went out on away goals to Leeds in the first Division Two playoff semi-finals after finishing seven points above them. Despite the complaints and an initially indifferent reaction from the media, the end-of-season drama quickly took hold.
The First Playoff Final
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. The players were unsure how to feel. "It’s end of the season, you’re knackered, you just want to put your feet up on a sunbed," says the Charlton centre-back Peter Shirtliff. "But we were up for it." 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 Replay
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?’ They’d probably be in five-star restaurants or in a hotel with their own chef cooking for them."
The Evolution of the Playoffs
There was no celebration when they returned to their training ground late that night. "Everyone’s got into their cars and just gone. That was it. See you later. There were no mobiles in those days, no social media or anything like that. That’s it, well done lads, we’ll let you know when pre-season starts. Unbelievable." Shirtliff still enjoys watching the playoffs, and the competition – more popular than ever – continues to evolve. Last summer’s Championship, League One, and League Two finals drew a record 211,858 fans to Wembley. Just as in the 1980s, the concept is not standing still. From next season, the Championship playoffs will expand from four to six teams. Fifth through to eighth will play "eliminator ties," with the winners facing third and fourth in the semi-finals. "We are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition and give more clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion," said the EFL’s chief executive, Trevor Birch.
The New Idea is Proving Controversial
The new idea is proving almost as controversial as the original concept, all those years ago. The playoffs have come a long way since their inception, and they continue to evolve, providing a thrilling conclusion to the English football season. But the question remains: what's next for the playoffs? Will they continue to grow and evolve, or will they face challenges and controversies in the years to come? Only time will tell. For now, though, the playoffs are here to stay, and they continue to provide a thrilling conclusion to the English football season.
