2008 Football League Two play-off Final
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.
Route to the final
Both teams also had excellent run-ins during the regular season, County had, in fact, gained 55 points from their final 24 games, losing just three and finish the season in fourth place with 82 points. While Rochdale picked up 45 points for their final 24 games and finished the season in fifth place with 80 points. Stockport had beaten Rochdale twice in the league during the regular season, with striker Liam Dickinson Scoring in both matches.Stockport County reached the final by defeating Wycombe Wanderers over the two-legged semi-final. In the first game at Adams Park, Stockport went 1–0 down after a mistake from goalkeeper John Ruddy allowed Delroy Facey to score on the stroke of half- time. In the second half Stockport came close and finally equalised on 82 minutes when Stephen Gleeson volleyed home a key away goal for Stockport.
In the return leg at Edgeley Park Stockport confirmed their place in the play-off final with a 1–0 win. Liam Dickinson scored the only goal of the game in the 6th minute after a solo run from the halfway line to tap the ball past Frank Fielding in the Wycombe goal
Rochdale faced Darlington in their two-legged play-off semi-finals. In the first leg Rochdale lost 2–1 away from home in a match played at the Balfour Webnet Arena. Jason Kennedy Opened the scoring for the home side with an exquisite lob on 28 minutes before Chris Dagnall equalised for Rochdale on 70 minutes after his shot was deflected into the net by a Darlington defender, wrong footing the goalkeeper David Stockdale. Ian Miller won the game for Darlington in the first minute of stoppage time with a lopped header.
The return leg at Spotland, Rochdale won the game 2–1 however due to the aggregate scoreline being 3–3 the match went into extra time and then later a penalty shoot-out. In the regular 90 minutes however Darlington once again opened the scoring with a 28th minute penalty scored by Clark Keltie. Rochdale drew level on 43 minutes through Chris Dagnall and then went a goal up after a deflected strike from David Perkins found the net on 78 minutes. Perkins was sent off in the 4th minute of the second half of extra time which meant he would miss the final. In the penalty shoot out that followed Rochdale scored all five of their penalties while Darlington only managed to score 4 therefore putting Rochdale into the play-off final. After the game Rochdale appealed against the red card given to David Perkins only for the appeal to be rejected.
Pre-Match
Venue
This was Stockport fifth visit to the national stadium, having previously played four and lost four back in the 1990s under Danny Bergara. Stockport Manager Jim Gannon played in all four of Stockport's previous Wembley appearances, but this was the first time he would be managing a team at Wembley. It has to be noted that Stockports four previous appearances were at the old Wembley stadium and that this match would be their first visit to the rebuilt national stadium.Rochdale, who were celebrating their 100 year anniversary during this season were making their visit ever visit to Wembley.
Kits
Having been designated as the official "home" team, Stockport wore their traditional home kit of blue shirts, blue shorts and white socks, manufactured by Diadora. Rochdale wore their centenary kit black and white striped shirts, white shorts and white socks manufactured by Nike. This kit was influenced by the strong Newcastle United side of 1907, the year Rochdale was formed. Stockport's goalkeeper wore a dark green kit, While Rochdale goalkeeper Tommy Lee work black and grey. Stockport did not name a substitute goalkeeper on the bench. Adam Proudlock, although an outfield player was rumoured to have had both a goalkeepers and his regular outfield jersey if required.Officials
The referee was Stuart Attwell who was promoted to Football League refereeing list ahead of the 2007–08 season, officiating his first match on 11 August 2007. This was Attwell's first Play-Offs as a football league referee and therefore his first time refereeing a match of Wembley.Match
Team selection
Rochdale were without midfielder David Perkins after he was sent off in the 2nd leg of the play off semi final against Darlington. Nathan D'Laryea, who had only started five matches in the regular season started for Rochdale in Perkins' place alongside experienced midfielder and Rochdale captain Gary Jones.Former Stockport striker Adams Le Fondre was brought back into the starting line up after being a substitute in the semi-final. Rochdale started the match with eight players under the age of twenty three.
Conrad Logan kept his place in the Stockport goal after replacing John Ruddy for the 2nd leg of the semi final. Stockport did not name John Ruddy on the bench instead Adam Proudlock, although an outfield player was rumoured to have had both a goalkeepers and his regular outfield jersey if required.
Captain Gareth Owen started the match but wore a protective mask throughout it after being injured in the semi final against Wycombe. Matty McNeil who was out with a knee injury since November 2007 was named amongst the Stockport substitutes.
Summary
Over 35,000 fans made the 400-mile round trip from Greater Manchester to Wembley Stadium for this classic final. Captain Gary Jones led out Rochdale into the rain-soaked arena, Stockport County were led out by their skipper, Gareth Owen, who wore a protective face mask for the match after breaking his cheekbone in the semifinal against Wycombe.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 Jimmy 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 give 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 Stadium in 5 attempts, having previously lost four finals with Stockport matches which were played at the Old Wembley Stadium.
Aftermath
Referee Stuart Attwell 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.Stockport spent two seasons in League One. The first of which; 2008–09 had Stockport collect 60 points however 10 were deducted for entering administration. Stockport spend the next season, still in League One but were in administration for the entire season before being taken over by a consortium of local business people. They couldn't stop the slide and Stockport ended up in Non-League only three years after achieving promotion to League One.
Rochdale finished the next season in 6th place in League Two; one place lower than the previous season but still qualified for the Play-Offs. Rochdale missed out on promotion to League One after losing in the play-off semi-final against Gillingham. 2009–10 saw Rochdale; while eliminated from all three domestic cup competitions at the first round stage, be promoted to League One by finishing in 3rd place in League Two. Incidentally swapping leagues with Stockport. Rochdale spent two seasons in League One before being relegated.