The Football League playoffs are now a cornerstone of the English season, packed with tension and high stakes. But forty years ago, the concept was brand new and faced skepticism. One of its earliest chapters produced a piece of history that has never been repeated: a playoff final that required a replay to decide the winner.
The drama unfolded in the 1986-87 season. Charlton Athletic, having finished fourth-bottom in the First Division, were plunged into the inaugural playoffs to fight for their survival. They first overcame Ipswich Town in a two-legged semi-final, winning 2-1 on aggregate. This set up a final showdown against Leeds United, a tie that would test the new format's capacity for excitement.
The final itself was a tense, evenly matched affair. Each team won their home leg 1-0, leaving the aggregate score deadlocked at 1-1. With no clear winner, the rules at the time dictated a replay. The decider was staged at a neutral venue, Birmingham City's St Andrew's ground, creating a unique 'playoff to decide the playoffs.'
The replay was a rollercoaster. After a goalless 90 minutes, the match went into extra time. Leeds' John Sheridan appeared to have won it, but Charlton's Peter Shirtliff emerged as the unlikely hero. He struck twice in a frantic four-minute spell, turning the game on its head and securing Charlton's place in the First Division for another season.
This match remains the sole playoff final in Football League history to go to a replay. The concept was soon abandoned, making this a unique, one-off event in the annals of English football. The victory was a monumental achievement for Charlton, but the celebrations were a far cry from the modern-day extravaganzas.
As Shirtliff recalled, the team's journey home was a humble affair. The victorious squad, exhausted and hungry, stopped at a motorway service station on the M6 to grab some fast food. The defender humorously contrasted that moment with the likely five-star treatment a similar team would receive today, highlighting how much the game has changed.
The story of that 1987 final is a fascinating glimpse into the nascent days of the playoffs. It shows a competition that, despite initial media indifference and even calls for its abolition from some managers, quickly captured the public's imagination with its inherent drama. The format proved its worth, delivering unforgettable moments like Charlton's chip-fueled triumph.
Based on reporting from Football | The Guardian.