The
Football League play-offs
The English Football League play-offs are a series of play-off matches contested by the four association football teams finishing immediately below the automatic promotion places in the second, third and fourth tiers of the English football leagu ...
for the
2000–01 season were held in May 2001, with the finals taking place at
Millennium Stadium in
Cardiff
Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
. 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
The Football League Second Division was the second level division in the English football league system between 1892 and 1992. Following the foundation of the FA Premier League, the Football League divisions were renumbered and the third t ...
and the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th placed teams in the
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the third tier of the English football league system in 1920–21 and again from 1958 until 1992. When the FA Premier League was formed, the division become the fourth tier level. In 2004, following th ...
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
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is a professional football club, based in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, which competes in the , the second tier of the English football league system. They have played home matches at Ewood Park since 1890. Th ...
, 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
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football, football club based in Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, it was renamed Small Heath in 1888, Birmingham in 1905, and Birmingham City in 1943. Sin ...
, who are aiming to return to the top flight after 15 years outside the top division, finished in fifth place.
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion Football Club () is an English professional football club based in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England. They compete in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football. The club was formed in 1878 and has pl ...
, 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
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
Semi-finals
;First leg
----
;Second leg
''Reading won 2–1 on aggregate.''
----
''Walsall won 4–2 on aggregate.''
Final
Third Division
Semi-finals
;First leg
----
;Second leg
''Blackpool won 5–1 on aggregate.''
----
''Leyton Orient won 2–1 on aggregate.''
Final
External links
Football League website
{{2000–01 in English football
English Football League play-offs
play-offs
The playoffs, play-offs, postseason or finals of a sports league are a competition played after the regular season by the top competitors to determine the league champion or a similar accolade. Depending on the league, the playoffs may be eithe ...
May 2001 sports events in the United Kingdom