1998 Football League play-offs


The Football League play-offs for the 1997–98 season were held in May 1998, with the finals taking place at the old Wembley Stadium in London. The play-off semi-finals were played over two legs and were contested by the teams who finish in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place in the Football League First Division and Football League Second Division and the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th placed teams in the Football League Third Division table. The winners of the semi-finals will go through to the finals, with the winner of the matches gaining promotion for the following season.

Background

The Football League play-offs have been held every year since 1987. They take place for each division following the conclusion of the regular season and are contested by the four clubs finishing below the automatic promotion places.
In the First Division, Sunderland, who are aiming to return to the top flight after relegation last season, finished 1 point behind second placed Middlesbrough, who in turn finished 3 points behind champions Nottingham Forest, who returned to the top flight after being relegated last season. Charlton Athletic, who are aiming to return to the top flight after 8 years outside the top division, finished in fourth place in the table. Ipswich Town, who are aiming to return to the top flight after 3 seasons outside the top division, finished in fifth place. Sheffield United, who are aiming to return to the top flight after a 4-year absence, finished 9 points behind Ipswich Town in sixth place. This means Sunderland and Sheffield United will play each other with Ipswich and Charlton playing each other just like in the 1987 playoffs only then Charlton were the First Division and Ipswich were in the Second Division.

First Division

Team
3Sunderland46261288650+3690
4Charlton Athletic462610108049+3188
5Ipswich Town46231497743+3483
6Sheffield United461917106954+1574

Semi-finals

;First leg
----
;Second leg
Charlton Athletic won 2–0 on aggregate.
----
Sunderland won 3–2 on aggregate.

Final

Second Division

Team
3Grimsby Town461915125537+1872
4Northampton Town461817115237+1571
5Bristol Rovers462010167064+670
6Fulham462010166043+1770

Semi-finals

;First leg
----
;Second leg
Grimsby Town won 2–1 on aggregate.
----
Northampton Town won 4–3 on aggregate.

Final

Third Division

Team
4Colchester United462111147260+1274
5Torquay United462111146859+974
6Scarborough461915126758+972
7Barnet461913146151+1070

Semi-finals

;First leg
----
;Second leg
Colchester United won 3–2 on aggregate.
----
Torquay United won 7–2 on aggregate.

Final