2008 Football League Two play-off Final
Encyclopedia
The 2008 Football League Two play-off Final, also known as the 2008 Coca-Cola League Two play-off Final due to sponsorship from Coca-Cola
, was a football match played at Wembley Stadium
on 26 May 2008, at the end of the 2007–08 season.
It was the fourth League two play-off
final since the Football League
's 2004 rebranding and the 22nd play-off final in all at the fourth level of English football. The match determined the fourth and final team to gain promotion
from League Two
to League One
, and was contested by Stockport County
and Rochdale
, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The teams reached the final by defeating Wycombe Wanderers
and Darlington
in the two-legged semi-finals. Both teams also had excellent run-ins, County had, in fact, gained 55 points from their final 24 games, losing just three.
Over 35,000 fans made the 400-mile round trip from Greater Manchester
to Wembley Stadium
for this classic final. Captain Gary Jones
lead out Rochdale
into the rain-soaked arena, Stockport County were lead out by their skipper, Gareth Owen
.
Both teams started off tentatively, however after 24 minutes Rory McArdle
opened the scoring for Rochdale with a header from a Kallum Higginbotham
corner. On 31 minutes, County were awarded a free kick, Anthony Pilkington
curled his effort millimetres wide. Shortly after, however his side did equalize. Tommy Rowe
's short taken corner was diverted into his own goal by Nathan Stanton
.
The second half got underway with a bang as County got to grip with their local rivals, a quick cross from Michael Rose
skidded off the greasy surface and onto the head of Anthony Pilkington
who excellently diverted the ball in past keeper Tommy Lee
. A nice passing move involving Jim McNulty, Paul Turnbull
& Anthony Pilkington
ended up with the ball in the path of Liam Dickinson
who smashed the ball in from a narrow angle to gave Stockport a two-goal cushion. County searched for more with McNulty & Rose going close before Adam Rundle
pulled a goal back for Rochdale with an excellent volley. The final 10 minutes passed without incident and Stockport County won 3–2.
Stockport County returned to League One after a three-year absence with this victory. For Jim Gannon
& Peter Ward it was their first win at Wembley
in 5 attempts, having previously lost four finals with Stockport (1992 Football Trophy Final, 1992 Division Three play-off Final, 1993 Football Trophy Final & 1994 Division Two play-off Final) matches which were played at the Old Wembley Stadium.
Referee Stuart Attwell
later made the list of Premier League refs, however, he and his team were to make a massive mistake in the shape of the 'Phantom Goal' in a game between Watford
& Reading
at Vicarage Road
. They awarded a goal to Reading when the ball in fact went out for a corner.
The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational beverage corporation and manufacturer, retailer and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups. The company is best known for its flagship product Coca-Cola, invented in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in Columbus, Georgia...
, was a football match played at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
on 26 May 2008, at the end of the 2007–08 season.
It was the fourth League two play-off
Football League Two play-offs
The Football League Two play-offs are a series of play-off matches, contested by the teams finishing from 4th to 7th in the Football League Two table to determine the fourth promotion place to the third tier of English football, League One. The semi-finals are played over two legs, with 7th playing...
final since the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
's 2004 rebranding and the 22nd play-off final in all at the fourth level of English football. The match determined the fourth and final team to gain promotion
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
from League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
, and was contested by Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
and Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.
The teams reached the final by defeating Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
and Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
in the two-legged semi-finals. Both teams also had excellent run-ins, County had, in fact, gained 55 points from their final 24 games, losing just three.
Match details
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
to Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
for this classic final. Captain Gary Jones
Gary Jones
Gary Jones is an actor, who has worked on television and on stage in Britain and Canada. He is best known for his recurring role as CMSgt. Walter Harriman in Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis...
lead out Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
into the rain-soaked arena, Stockport County were lead out by their skipper, Gareth Owen
Gareth Owen
Gareth David Owen is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for League Two side Port Vale. He also serves as coach of the club's reserve team...
.
Both teams started off tentatively, however after 24 minutes Rory McArdle
Rory McArdle
Rory McArdle is an English-born Northern Ireland international footballer, who plays for Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen. He plays in central defence, and has also played for Sheffield Wednesday and Rochdale....
opened the scoring for Rochdale with a header from a Kallum Higginbotham
Kallum Higginbotham
Kallum Higginbotham is an English footballer who currently plays as striker for Falkirk.Kallum started his football career at Salford City before joining Oldham Athletic at 18 years of age. Despite a half-decent scoring record in the reserves at Oldham he never made it into the first team at...
corner. On 31 minutes, County were awarded a free kick, Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Neil James Pilkington is an Irish professional football player. He plays for Norwich City, and plays on either wing or as a forward.-Stockport County:...
curled his effort millimetres wide. Shortly after, however his side did equalize. Tommy Rowe
Tommy Rowe
Thomas Malcolm "Tommy" Rowe is an English footballer who plays as a winger for Peterborough United.-Stockport County:Rowe was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester, and started his football career as a boy with Manchester United...
's short taken corner was diverted into his own goal by Nathan Stanton
Nathan Stanton
Nathan Stanton is an English professional footballer who currently plays for Burton Albion.A former Scunthorpe United trainee, Nathan made 243 appearances for the Iron in 7 seasons. He scored 1 goal for the club, his strike coming against Lincoln City in the 2003 League Two Play Off Semi Final...
.
The second half got underway with a bang as County got to grip with their local rivals, a quick cross from Michael Rose
Michael Rose (footballer)
Michael Charles Rose is an English footballer who plays for Colchester United. He has previously played for Manchester United, Chester City, Hereford United, Yeovil Town, Cheltenham Town, Scunthorpe United, Stockport County, Norwich City and Swindon Town.-Career:Born in Salford, Greater...
skidded off the greasy surface and onto the head of Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Neil James Pilkington is an Irish professional football player. He plays for Norwich City, and plays on either wing or as a forward.-Stockport County:...
who excellently diverted the ball in past keeper Tommy Lee
Tommy Lee
Thomas Lee Bass , best known as Tommy Lee, is an American musician and founding member of glam metal band Mötley Crüe. As well as being the band's long-term drummer, Lee founded rap-metal band Methods of Mayhem, and has pursued solo musical projects...
. A nice passing move involving Jim McNulty, Paul Turnbull
Paul Turnbull
Paul Daniel Turnbull is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder in the Football League for Northampton Town.-Stockport County:...
& Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Pilkington
Anthony Neil James Pilkington is an Irish professional football player. He plays for Norwich City, and plays on either wing or as a forward.-Stockport County:...
ended up with the ball in the path of Liam Dickinson
Liam Dickinson
Liam Michael Dickinson is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Southend United.-Early career:Dickinson began his career at Blackpool's Centre of Excellence where he was offered a contract, but he chose instead to sign for Bolton Wanderers before joining Blackburn Rovers...
who smashed the ball in from a narrow angle to gave Stockport a two-goal cushion. County searched for more with McNulty & Rose going close before Adam Rundle
Adam Rundle
Adam Rundle is an English footballer who is currently playing for Darlington.-Career:A left-sided midfielder who began his career in Newcastle United's youth team, Rundle was released by the club in 2001 without being offered a professional contract...
pulled a goal back for Rochdale with an excellent volley. The final 10 minutes passed without incident and Stockport County won 3–2.
Stockport County returned to League One after a three-year absence with this victory. For Jim Gannon
Jim Gannon
James Paul "Jim" Gannon is a former footballer and football manager, who is now Director of football and manager of Conference National team Stockport County...
& Peter Ward it was their first win at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
in 5 attempts, having previously lost four finals with Stockport (1992 Football Trophy Final, 1992 Division Three play-off Final, 1993 Football Trophy Final & 1994 Division Two play-off Final) matches which were played at the Old Wembley Stadium.
Referee Stuart Attwell
Stuart Attwell
Stuart Steven Attwell is an English professional football referee from Nuneaton, Warwickshire. He made a prominent debut in 2008 as the youngest person ever to referee in the Premier League.-Career:...
later made the list of Premier League refs, however, he and his team were to make a massive mistake in the shape of the 'Phantom Goal' in a game between Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
& Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
at Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road
Vicarage Road, a stadium in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is the home of the football club Watford and their tenants, the Saracens rugby union club. An all-seater stadium, its current capacity is 17,477.-History:...
. They awarded a goal to Reading when the ball in fact went out for a corner.
See also
- 2008 Football League Championship play-off Final
- 2008 Football League One play-off Final2008 Football League One play-off FinalThe 2008 Football League One play-off Final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2008, at the end of the 2007–08 season. The match determined the third and final team to gain promotion from League One to the Championship, and was contested by Doncaster Rovers, who had finished...
- 2008 Conference National play-off Final