1987 Football League Second Division play-off Final

The 1987 Football League Second Division play-off Final was an association football match contested between Leeds United and Charlton Athletic over two legs on 23 May 1987 and 25 May 1987 to determine which club would play the next season in the first division. Charlton Athletic had finish fourth from bottom in the first division while Leeds United finished fourth in the second division. They were joined in the play-offs by the teams that had finished third and fifth in the Second Division: Charlton Athletic defeated Ipswich in their play-off semi-final, while Leeds United defeated Oldham Athletic in the other semi.

1987 Football League Second Division play-off Final
Charlton Athletic Leeds United
1 1
on aggregate
Charlton Athletic won after a replay
First leg
Charlton Athletic Leeds United
1 0
Date23 May 1987 (1987-05-23)
VenueSelhurst Park, London
RefereeRoger Milford
Attendance16,680
Second leg
Leeds United Charlton Athletic
1 0
Date25 May 1987 (1987-05-25)
VenueElland Road, Leeds
RefereeBrian Hill
Attendance31,395
Replay
Leeds United Charlton Athletic
1 2
After extra time
Date29 May 1987 (1987-05-29)
VenueSt Andrew's, Birmingham
RefereeAllan Gunn
Attendance18,000

The first leg of the final was played at Selhurst Park in London, in front of a crowd of 16,680. Jim Melrose scored the only goal in the game to give Charlton Athletic a 1–0 win. Two days later, at Elland Road in Leeds, 31,395 fans saw Brendon Ormsby score the only goal of the game as Leeds United won the match 1–0. That meant a replay was arranged at St Andrew's in Birmingham which was played on 29 May 1987. After full-time remained 0–0, extra-time was played with John Sheridan scoring first for Leeds in the 99th minute, however Peter Shirtliff scored twice in the 113th and 117th minute to give Charlton Athletic a 2–1 victory.

The following season, Charlton Athletic finished one spot above the relegation zone in the first division as they finished ahead of Chelsea by goal-difference. Leeds United ended their second division campaign in 7th position, eight points behind the promotion play-offs.

Route to the final
See also: 1987 Football League play-offs and 1986–87 Football League

Charlton Athletic finished the 1986–87 season in 19th place after scraping into the play-off after defeating Queen Park Rangers on the final day of the season as they finished two points ahead of relegated team Leicester City.[1][2] Leeds United finished the season in fourth place in the second divisions, ten points behind Portsmouth who with Derby Country got an automatic promotion to the top division.[3] Both teams along with Oldham Athletic and Ipswich Town entered the play-offs to determine who would play in the First Division in the following 1987–88 season.[3]

Leeds United hosted the first leg of the semi-final at Elland Road as they took on Oldham Athletic who were attempting to make their first appearance in the top flight since 1923. Leeds had a booking in the 13th minute with Mark Aizlewood delivering a late challenge. The only goal of the game being in the 89th minute with Keith Edwards who was brought on in the 71st minute scoring a header at the near post to give Leeds a one goal advantage.[4] The second leg played three days later at Boundary Park saw Oldham open the scoring in the 18th minute from Gary Williams. It would take until the 89th minute before Mike Cecere for Oldham to go in front on aggregate before their defence was opened up which Leed's player Edwards took, scoring in the 90th minute to give Leeds United the aggregate win on away goals.[5]

For Charlton, they took on Ipswich Town in what was the first time those two met in nearly twenty years. The first leg was played at Ipswich's home ground of Portman Road to an attendance of 18,465. Solid defending from goalkeeper Bob Bolder kept Ipswich Town scoreless as the match ended in a nil-all draw.[6] The second leg at Charlton's home ground saw Jim Melrose score the opening goal of the tie with a fifteen yard header which came from a Humphrey cross. Melrose scored a second only a minute later with Miller flicking the ball to Melrose to double Charlton's advantage. Despite a goal in the 85th minute from Ipswich midfielder, Steve McCall, Charlton Athletic qualified for the play-off final 2–1 on aggregate.[7]

Match details

First leg

Summary
The first leg was played at Charlton's Selhurst Park (pictured in 2015).

The first leg of the play-off final was played at Charlton's Selhurst Park, in front of a crowd of 16,680.[8] In the tenth minute of the match, Melrose headed the cross from Walsh before the ball was saved by the Leeds goalkeeper Mervyn Day. The game remained level with only a late goal in the 87th minute from Melrose sealing a 1–0 victory for Charlton.[9]

Details
Charlton Athletic1–0Leeds United
Melrose  87' Report
Attendance: 16,680
Referee: Roger Milford

Second leg

Summary

The second leg was played at Leed's home ground (Elland Road) in front of the crowd of 31,395.[10] The first half saw bodies flying with the best chance being for Charlton with Taylor missing a rebound that was set up from Bob Taylor after it hit the post. In the second half, Leeds United forward, Brendon Ormsby scored the goal in the 53rd minute in what would be the only goal of the game. The result meant that a replay had to be played four days at St Anderw's.[11]

Details
Leeds United1–0Charlton Athletic
Ormsby  52' Report
Attendance: 31,395
Referee: Brian Hill

Replay

Summary

After the second leg of the match saw a tie in aggregate, a replay was arranged at St Andrew's Stadium which was the home of Birmingham City F.C. which saw 18,000 people attended the match.[12] During normal time, Charlton seem to be the better of the two sides as they looked more likely to score. But after 90 minutes, the game remained level with Crooks or Melrose having the chances despite Leeds going a defender down due to skipper Ormsby leaving the field before half-time with an injured leg. In the ninth minute of extra time, John Sheridan scored from a free-kick to give Leeds the lead in the match. But in the second-half of extra time, two goals from Peter Shirtliff swung the match in favour of Charlton as he first struck a low shot pass the keeper. His second coming off an Andy Peake free kick as his header was unchallenged and for Charlton meant staying in the top flight.[13]

Details
Leeds United1–2 (a.e.t.)Charlton Athletic
Sheridan  99' Report Shirtliff  113', 117'
Attendance: 18,000
Referee: Allan Gunn
Leeds United
Charlton Athletic
Leeds United
GK1Mervyn Day
RB2Neil Aspin
LB3Bobby McDonald
CB5Jack Ashurst
CB6Brendon Ormsby 44'
RM4Mark Aizlewood
CM7John Stiles
CM8John Sheridan
CF9John Pearson
CF10Ian Baird
LM11Micky Adams
Substitutes:
CF12Keith Edwards 44'
Manager:
Billy Bremner
Charlton Athletic
GK1Bob Bolder
RB2John Humphrey
CB5Peter Shirtliff
CB6Paul Miller
LB3Mark Reid
CM7Steve Gritt
CM4Andy Peake
RW8Rob Lee
CF9Jim Melrose 96'
LW10Garth Crooks
CM11Colin Walsh
Substitutes:
FW12Mark Stuart 96'
Manager:
Lennie Lawrence

MATCH RULES

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary.

Aftermath

After the result, Charlton manager Billy Bremner said in his interview, "The play-offs are exciting. I just think the format is wrong."[14] The following season, Charlton Athletic finished in 17th place, one place above the relegation zone after finishing their season with a 1–1 draw to Chelsea with only goal difference separating the two teams.[15][16] Leeds United finish the following campaign in 7th place, eight points behind the play-off spots and it wouldn't be until 1989 where they were automatically promoted into the top flight.[17]

References
  1. Atkin, Ronald (10 May 1987). "Charlton escape through hand of fate". The Observer. p. 44. Retrieved 10 July 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  2. "League Division One end of season table for 1986–87 season". 11v11. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  3. "Football Results". The Observer. 10 May 1987. p. 44. Retrieved 10 July 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  4. Bierley, Stephen (15 May 1987). "Edwards' header gives Leeds late edge". The Guardian. p. 28. Retrieved 10 July 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  5. Bierley, Stephen (18 May 1987). "Edwards' away day". The Guardian. p. 28. Retrieved 10 July 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  6. Lacey, David (15 May 1987). "Bolder, rock of Charlton". The Guardian. p. 28. Retrieved 31 July 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  7. Armstrong, Robert (18 May 1987). "Melrose garland". The Guardian. p. 28. Retrieved 31 July 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  8. "Charlton Athletic v Leeds United, 23 May 1987". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  9. Ralph, Michael (24 May 1987). "Melrose rocks Leeds". The Observer. p. 48 – via newspapers.com.
  10. "Leeds United v Charlton Athletic, 25 May 1987". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  11. "Ormsby sets up decider". The Guardian. 26 May 1987. p. 28. Retrieved 5 August 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  12. "Charlton Athletic v Leeds United, 29 May 1987". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  13. "Shirtliff's late double the saver". The Guardian. 30 May 1987. p. 17. Retrieved 6 August 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  14. "Swindon remount on White's night". The Guardian. 30 May 1987. p. 17. Retrieved 6 August 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  15. "Fighting to the Finish". The Observer. 8 May 1988. p. 20. Retrieved 7 August 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  16. "League Division One end of season table for 1987–88 season". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  17. "League Division Two end of season table for 1987–88 season". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  • Chapman, Daniel (2019). 100 Years of Leeds United. Icon Books Limited. ISBN 978-178578-430-9.
  • Ramzan, David C. (2014). Charlton Athletic – A History. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4456-1657-5.
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