Three days at Wembley back in May ended in jubilation and promotion for three teams, but how much of a bitter pill to swallow is defeat, and how can it affect a team?
This year the EFL celebrated 10 years of finals at the new Wembley Stadium, so we've had a look at the last 10 Play-Off Final runners-up to see how they fared the following year.
Reading were defeated by Huddersfield Town after extra-time and penalties at this year's Wembley showpiece. The good news for the Royals faithful is that the last time their side tasted defeat in the Play-Off Final, they went on to gain promotion as champions in the following season.
Another stat to note is that the beaten side in the Championship Play-Off Final has never been relegated in the following campaign.
Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday achieved another play-off finish once again, but failed to reach the final. The lowest finish is Blackpool's – they were defeated at Wembley by West Ham in 2012 and went on to finish 15th the next season.
Year | Play-Off Final winner | Runner-up | Following season finish |
2007 | Derby County | West Bromwich Albion | 1st - Promoted |
2008 | Hull City | Bristol City | 10th |
2009 | Burnley | Sheffield United | 8th |
2010 | Blackpool | Cardiff City | 4th - Play-Off Semi-Final |
2011 | Swansea City | Reading | 1st - Promoted |
2012 | West Ham United | Blackpool | 15th |
2013 | Crystal Palace | Watford | 13th |
2014 | QPR | Derby County | 8th |
2015 | Norwich City | Middlesbrough | 2nd - Promoted |
2016 | Hull City | Sheffield Wednesday | 4th - Play-Off Semi-Final |
2017 | Huddersfield Town | Reading |
Average league position following Championship Play-Off Final defeat: 7th
Life following Play-Off Final defeat in League One has proved a real mixed bag. In the last 10 years, we've had: one automatic promotion, three play-off winners, two play-off semi-final defeats, and two relegations.
Millwall were this year's Wembley winners, but that came as a result of an agonising defeat to Barnsley in 2015/16 – the second time the Lions had bounced back from a defeat in the capital with victory the following season. The first came in 2010 when they defeated Swindon Town.
The other side to claim immediate redemption was Huddersfield Town who, after being beaten by Peterborough United, won against Sheffield United on penalties in 2012.
The Robins suffered the ultimate Play-Off Final hangover as they ended the 2010/11 season bottom of the pile in League One and heading for English football's fourth tier. The other relegated side were Leyton Orient, who suffered Wembley defeat in 2014 and were sent down the next year.
Year | Play-Off Final Winner | Runner-up | Following season finish |
2007 | Blackpool | Yeovil Town | 18th |
2008 | Doncaster Rovers | Leeds United | 4th - Play-Off Semi-Final |
2009 | Scunthorpe United | Millwall | 3rd - Promoted via Play-Offs |
2010 | Millwall | Swindon Town | 24th - Relegated |
2011 | Peterborough United | Huddersfield Town | 4th - Promoted via Play-Offs |
2012 | Huddersfield Town | Sheffield United | 5th - Play-Off Semi-Final |
2013 | Yeovil Town | Brentford | 2nd - Promoted |
2014 | Rotherham United | Leyton Orient | 23rd - Relegated |
2015 | Preston North End | Swindon Town | 16th |
2016 | Barnsley | Millwall | 6th - Promoted via Play-Offs |
2017 | Millwall | Bradford City |
Average league position following League One Play-Off Final defeat: 11th
Exeter City will be looking to emulate Burton Albion and Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle after they both recovered from Play-Off Final defeat to secure automatic promotion from the division.
Paul Tisdale's men were defeated by Blackpool back in May and can become just the third team to produce a promotion-winning season off the back of Wembley defeat in Sky Bet League Two.
Northampton Town have the lowest finish in a subsequent season to a Wembley loss; they were beaten by Bradford in 2013 and ended up 21st in 2014.
Shrewsbury Town have been defeated twice at Wembley in the last 10 years. The first was followed up with an 18th-placed finish and the other, in 2009, 12th.
Three teams have tasted more play-off woes following the previous season's defeat. Rochdale, Torquay United and Cheltenham Town all secured another play-pff finish the following season but failed to make it beyond the semi-final stage.
Year | Play-Off Final Winner | Runner-up | Following season finish |
2007 | Bristol Rovers | Shrewsbury Town | 18th |
2008 | Stockport | Rochdale | 6th - Play-Off Semi-Final |
2009 | Gillingham | Shrewsbury Town | 12th |
2010 | Dagenham & Redbridge | Rotherham United | 9th |
2011 | Stevenage | Torquay United | 5th - Play-Off Semi-Final |
2012 | Crewe Alexandra | Cheltenham Town | 5th - Play-Off Semi-Final |
2013 | Bradford City | Northampton Town | 21st |
2014 | Fleetwood Town | Burton Albion | 1st - Promoted |
2015 | Southend Town | Wycombe Wanderers | 13th |
2016 | AFC Wimbledon | Plymouth Argyle | 2nd - Promoted |
2017 | Blackpool | Exeter City |
Average league position following League Two Play-Off Final defeat: 10th