2001 Football League play-offs


The Football League play-offs for the 2000–01 season were held in May 2001, with the finals taking place at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The play-off semi-finals will be played over two legs and will be 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, Bolton Wanderers, who are aiming to return to the top flight after nearly 3 seasons outside the top flight, finished 4 points behind second placed Blackburn Rovers, who in turn finished 10 points behind champions Fulham, who returned to the top flight for the first time since 1968. Preston North End who are aiming to return to the top flight for the first time since 1961, finished in fourth place in the table. Birmingham City, who are aiming to return to the top flight after 15 years outside the top division, finished in fifth place. West Bromwich Albion, who are also aiming to return to the top flight for the first time since 1986, finished 4 points behind Birmingham City and Preston North End in sixth place.

First Division

Team
3Bolton Wanderers46241577645+3187
4Preston North End46239146452+1278
5Birmingham City46239145948+1178
6West Bromwich Albion462111146052+874

Semi-finals

;First leg
----
;Second leg
Bolton Wanderers won 5–2 on aggregate.
----
Preston North End 2–2 Birmingham City on aggregate. Preston North End won 4–2 on penalties.

Final

Second Division

Team
3Reading462511108652+3486
4Walsall462312117950+2981
5Stoke City462114117449+2577
6Wigan Athletic46191896052+875

Semi-finals

;First leg
----
;Second leg
Reading won 2–1 on aggregate.
----
Walsall won 4–2 on aggregate.

Final

Third Division

Team
4Hartlepool United462114117154+1777
5Leyton Orient462015115951+875
6Hull City461917104739+874
7Blackpool46226187458+1672

Semi-finals

;First leg
----
;Second leg
Blackpool won 5–1 on aggregate.
----
Leyton Orient won 2–1 on aggregate.

Final