The playoffs were introduced in England in 1987 some 31 years ago.
Whilst it can be argued that they make money they were also introduced to make the competitions more exciting. It means that clubs in the top ten or lower in each league have something to play throughout the season and stand a chance of getting promoted for much later on in the season than previously. Plus for the fans if their team makes the final it gives them the opportunity to see their team play at Wembley. Likewise for the players as well. So the final has a sense of occasion about it that would not happen otherwise. Obviously if you don’t win the final then there is the heartbreak that comes with it.
The team that finishes 3rd (or in league twos case 4th) plays the lowest ranked team out of the four playoff teams to give them an advantage. The middle two teams play each other.
In terms of Notts and the playoffs this season will be our 4th time. We have won the final twice and lost in the final once so far.
This is the first season in 22 years that we have made the playoffs in any league. In 2011/12 under Keith Curle in League One we missed out on the League One playoffs to Stevenage on goal difference.
Our most frequent and successful period in the playoffs was under Neil Warnock to which we got promoted twice in consecutive seasons via the playoffs. So two trips to Wembley that many will no doubt remember.
A summary is as follows;
1989/90 - Division 3 - Playoff Winners
Having finished 4th we played Bolton away in the semi final. The other teams were Tranmere and Bury. We drew the away game with Bolton 1-1. We then beat them 2-0 at home. The final was against Tranmere Rovers and we beat them 2-0 in front of 29,252.
1990/91 - Division 2 - Playoff Winners
The following season we were back at Wembley again. Again we finished 4th and in the semi final played Middlesbrough away and drew 1-1 the same as the previous season. We then beat them at Meadow Lane 1-0. The other semi finalists were Brighton and Milwall. The final against Brighton was played in front of 59,940 and we were victorious once more by beating Brighton 3-1 to secure our place in the top flight.
1995/96 - Division 3 - Finalists
Under Colin Murphy and Steve Thompson we finished the season in 4th place and had a chance to get back to the 2nd tier at the first attempt after being relegated the season before. We played Crewe away and drew 2-2. Then won the return home game 1-0. Bradford were victorious over Blackpool in the other semi final. We then lost 2-0 to Bradford in the playoff final at Wembley in front of 39,972. Mark Stallard scoring the second goal for Bradford to see them through. The irony. We’ve not finished as high in the football league since.
2017/18 - League Two
The two legged semi final is against Coventry City with the winner playing in the final at Wembley against Exeter or Lincoln.