1992 Football League Second Division play-off final

Association football match in London October 2017 1992 Football League Second Division play-off final Old Wembley Stadium (external view).jpg The final took place at Wembley Stadium. Blackburn Rovers 1 Leicester City 0 25 May 1992 Wembley Stadium London George Courtney (Spennymoor) 68,147 Hot 1991 1993 The 1992 Football League Second Division play-off final was an association football match, which was played on 25 May 1992 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City. The match was to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Football League Second Division, the second tier of English football, to the inaugural season of the Premier League. The top two teams of the 1991–92 Football League Second Division season gained automatic promotion to the Premier League, while the clubs placed from third to sixth place in the table took part in play-off semi-finals; Leicester City had ended the season in fourth position, two places ahead of Blackburn Rovers. The winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place in the Premier League. Derby County and Cambridge United were the losing semi-finalists. The match was played in warm conditions in front of a Wembley crowd of 68,147 spectators and was refereed by George Courtney who was officiating his final league match. Neither team dominated the early stages of the match and the only goal of the game came moments before half-time when Blackburn's record signing Mike Newell scored from the penalty spot. David Speedie was brought down in the Leicester City penalty area by Steve Walsh and Courtney awarded the spot kick having adjudged the challenge as a foul. In the second half, both sides created numerous chances; with five minutes remaining, Leicester City goalkeeper Carl Muggleton brought down Mark Atkins to concede the second penalty of the match. This time, however, Muggleton saved Newell's strike. Despite late pressure from Leicester City, they failed to score and the match ended 1–0 to Blackburn, and they were promoted to the Premier League. Blackburn Rovers finished their following season in fourth place in the Premier League. Leicester City ended their next season in sixth place in the 1992–93 Football League First Division, and qualified for the play-off final where they lost 4–3 to Swindon Town. Route to the final 1991–92 Football League Second Division main WDL Q right auto Football League Second Division final table, leading positions IPS Ipswich Town MID Middlesbrough DER Derby County LEI Leicester City CAM Cambridge United BLB Blackburn Rovers 24 12 10 70 50 23 11 12 58 41 23 9 14 69 51 23 8 15 62 55 19 17 10 65 47 21 11 14 70 53 complete https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/1992/ 11v11 16 November 2020 League Division Two end of season table for 1991–92 season AFS Enterprises Leicester City finished the regular 1991–92 season in fourth place in the Football League Second Division – the second tier of the English football league system – two places and three points ahead of Blackburn Rovers. Both therefore missed out on the two automatic places for promotion to the Premier League and instead took part in the play-offs, along with Derby County and Cambridge United, to determine the third promoted team. Leicester City finished three points behind Middlesbrough (who were promoted in second place) and seven behind league winners Ipswich Town. Blackburn Rovers' opposition in their play-off final semi-final were Derby County, with the first leg taking place at Ewood Park, Blackburn, on 10 May 1992.Foster, p. 202 Within fifteen minutes, the visitors were two goals ahead: Marco Gabbiadini scored the opener with a header past Bobby Mimms from a Paul Simpson free kick. Soon after, Tommy Johnson doubled Derby's lead, having been put clear by Simpson with a chip. Scott Sellars then halved the deficit with a free kick which took a significant deflection before beating Steve Sutton in the Derby goal, before Mike Newell levelled the match just before half time. Midway through the second half, David Speedie put the home side ahead for the first time after he capitalised on a defensive mistake from Andy Comyn, before going on to double the lead minutes later, with the match ending 4–2. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/63396187/the-guardian/ Rovers' Speedie recovery Stephen Bierley 14 11 May 1992 The Guardian Newspapers.com 16 November 2020 The second leg took place three days later at the Baseball Ground in Derby. Comyn put the home side ahead with a header from a Johnson cross only for Kevin Moran to equalise from a corner. With fifteen minutes remaining, Ted McMinn scored Derby's second, making it 2–1 on the evening, but with no further goals, it meant that Blackburn won 5–4 on aggregate to qualify for the final. Speedie was attacked by a number of Derby supporters after the final whistle who had encroached onto the pitch. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/63396535/the-guardian/ Speedie attacked by fans Stephen Bierley 14 14 May 1992 The Guardian Newspapers.com 16 November 2020 27 December 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201227141033/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/63396535/the-guardian/ live In the second semi-final, Leicester City faced Cambridge United, the first leg being played at the Abbey Stadium, Cambridge, on 10 May 1992. The visitors took the lead late in the first half: Dion Dublin headed down a cross from a short corner to Kevin Russell who struck a left-footed volley into the far corner of the Cambridge goal. With fifteen minutes of the match remaining, Cambridge's captain Danny O'Shea headed in an equaliser to see the match end in a 1–1 draw. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/63396377/the-guardian/ O'Shea's level-headed reply Russell Thomas 14 11 May 1992 The Guardian Newspapers.com 16 November 2020 The return leg, at Filbert Street, took place three days later. Mick Heathcote hit the bar for the visitors and Dublin volleyed wide in an opening period dominated by Cambridge, but it was Leicester who took the lead. In the 29th minute, Tommy Wright scored after taking advantage of a Richard Wilkins defensive miskick and seven minutes later Steve Thompson made it 2–0. Three goals in five second-half minutes settled the match: Russell headed Leicester's third goal in the 59th minute, then Wright scored from a Ian Ormondroyd pass before Ormondroyd scored the fifth of the game. It ended 5–0 and Leicester progressed to the final 6–1 on aggregate. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/63396668/the-guardian/ Wright little thrashing Russell Thomas 14 14 May 1992 The Guardian Newspapers.com 16 November 2020 Match Background upright|thumb|right|alt=Kenny Dalglish|Kenny Dalglish (pictured in 2011) was appointed manager of Blackburn Rovers in October 1991. Leicester City had not participated in the second tier play-offs before the 1991–92 season, https://web.archive.org/web/20161009214128/https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/9864357/play-off-final-history-stats https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/9864357/play-off-final-history-stats 9 October 2016 25 May 2015 Sporting Life 6 September 2020 Play-Off Final History & Stats and had played at that level since being relegated in the 1986–87 season. https://www.fchd.info/LEICESTC.HTM Football Club History Database Leicester City 19 December 2020 It was also their first trip to Wembley Stadium for 23 years and had failed to win at the national stadium in four attempts. Blackburn Rovers had featured in the play-offs for three consecutive seasons between 1988 and 1990, including a 4–3 defeat by Crystal Palace in the two-legged 1989 final. They had played in the second tier of English football since the 1980–81 season when they were promoted from the Third Division as runners-up, https://www.fchd.info/BLACKBUR.HTM Blackburn Rovers Football Club History Database 19 December 2020 and had not played at the highest level since the 1965–66 season. Leicester City had won both matches between the sides during the regular season: a 3–0 victory at Filbert Street in September 1991 was followed by a 1–0 win at Ewood Park the following April. https://www.11v11.com/teams/blackburn-rovers/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Leicester%20City/ 11v11 19 December 2020 Blackburn Rovers football club: record v Leicester City AFS Enterprises The leading scorer during the regular season for Leicester City was Tommy Wright with 17 (12 in the league, 2 in the League Cup and 5 in the Full Members' Cup), followed by Paul Kitson (10 goals in all competitions) and Steve Walsh (8 goals in all competitions).Smith & Taylor, p. 324 Speedie was Blackburn's top goalscorer with 24 goals, 23 in the league and 1 in the League Cup.Jackman, pp. 522–23 The teams were competing to become the first play-off winners to be promoted to the newly-formed Premier League,Foster, p. 23 a move which caused Division Two to be renamed Division One, Division Three to be renamed Division Two and so on. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/jun/10/newsstory.sport3 The Guardian Division One renamed The Championship 10 June 2004 20 January 2021 Leicester City's manager Brian Little declared that the play-off final was "the biggest game in the club's history" and as a result of a new television deal, victory could have been worth up to £3million (equivalent to £UK 3 1992 1 million in UK). https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19920525/372/0037 British Newspaper Archive 27 December 2020 25 May 1992 Newcastle Journal 37 Little's large play-off mission subscription Businessman Jack Walker had bought a 62% controlling stake in Blackburn Rovers in 1991. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/885534.stm Blackburn Rovers owner dies BBC Sport 20 December 2020 18 August 2000 He convinced former Liverpool and Scotland international Kenny Dalglish to come out of retirement to take the position of manager at the club in October 1991, replacing Phil Parkes who had been caretaker manager since Don Mackay had left the previous month. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17640251 Ian Singleton How Kenny Dalglish turned a six-game losing run into glory 9 April 2012 BBC Sport 20 December 2020 24 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181024055244/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17640251 live https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/17710045.don-mackay-reflects-highs-lows-rovers-spell/ Don Mackay reflects on the highs and lows of Rovers spell Tom Schofield 20 December 2020 17 June 2019 Lancashire Telegraph https://www.independent.co.uk/incoming/parkes-may-prove-a-master-of-timing-742425.html The Independent 23 December 2020 21 September 2011 Steve Tongue Parkes may prove a master of timing David Lacey in The Guardian reported that Dalglish spent £5.5million (equivalent to £UK 5.5 1992 1 million in UK) on transfers during the season. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/65661484/the-guardian/ The Guardian Premier prize losing its gloss before the final David Lacey 25 May 1992 Newspapers.com 20 December 2020 This included a club-record £1.1million (equivalent to £UK 1.1 1992 1 million in UK) for Newell from Everton in November 1991, who became the club's first million-pound player, and a similar sum for Roy Wegerle the following March. https://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/30-Clubs/2414-first-of-the-big-spenders When Saturday Comes First of the big spenders Ray Chenery September 2003 2 January 2021Jackman, p. 552 Other signings included Alan Wright, Colin Hendry, Gordon Cowans, Tim Sherwood, Chris Price, Matt Dickins and Duncan Shearer.Jackman, pp. 290–91 Dalglish's counterpart, Brian Little, had been appointed as manager of Leicester City in June 1991, replacing Gordon Lee who had led the club to survival the previous season. https://www.lcfc.com/news/976109/the-managers-brian-little-19911994 The Managers: Brian Little, 1991–1994 Leicester City F.C. 20 December 2020 16 January 2019 13 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200713154801/https://www.lcfc.com/news/976109/the-managers-brian-little-19911994 live Little had led Darlington to back-to-back promotions, as champions of the 1989–90 Football Conference and subsequently the 1990–91 Football League Fourth Division.Smith & Taylor, p. 167 He signed eight players for Leicester early in the season, including three former Darlington players in Gary Coatsworth, Paul Willis, and Michael Trotter.Smith & Taylor, pp. 167–68 Before the transfer window closed, Little also brought in Ormondroyd and Phil Gee from Derby County in exchange for Kitson, along with Simon Grayson and Mike Whitlow.Smith & Taylor, p. 168 The referee for the final was 50-year-old George Courtney from Spennymoor; he was officiating his fourteenth game at Wembley and last league match before retirement.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:05:05–00:05:10 Parkes, who had remained with Blackburn Rovers as an assistant manager after Dalglish's arrival, led the team out at Wembley. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/parkes-unworried-by-uncertain-future-1270467.html Parkes unworried by uncertain future The Independent 23 December 2020 23 October 2011 Guy Hodgson Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:00:25 Bookmakers were unable to pick a clear favourite for the match. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19920523/828/0069 British Newspaper Archive subscription 27 December 2020 Newcastle Journal 23 May 1992 69 Chisholm Bookmakers Blackburn Rovers lined up in a 4–4–2 formation with one change in their starting line-up from their previous game, Price coming in for Lee Richardson in midfield. Wegerle was selected as a substitute in favour of Shearer.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:03:24–00:03:26 Leicester City were unchanged from their semi-final second leg match, adopting a 5–2–3 formation.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:03:56 Blackburn wore all-yellow, while Leicester were in their regular home kit of blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:05:16 First half Leicester City kicked off the final in warm conditions in front of a Wembley crowd of 68,147.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992 00:03:15Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:05:23 https://www.11v11.com/matches/blackburn-rovers-v-leicester-city-25-may-1992-218824/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 24 December 2020 Blackburn Rovers v Leicester City, 25 May 1992 Neither side dominated the early period of the game with the first opportunity falling to Leicester City in the fourth minute: a cross-field ball from Gary Mills found Tommy Wright deep on the left wing, whose high cross was caught by Mimms ahead of Ormondroyd and Russell.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:08:21–00:08:30 On seven minutes, Price was fouled by Tommy Wright around 15 yds outside the Leicester City penalty area. The resulting direct free kick from Mark Atkins was pushed around the post by Carl Muggleton after it bounced in front of him.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:11:33–00:12:02 Four minutes later, a long pass from May was headed out by Tony James but fell to Atkins whose shot from the edge of the penalty area was blocked by Walsh.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:16:22–00:16:27 In the 14th minute, Newell was brought down by Walsh and the quick free kick found Sellars whose shot went high over the Blackburn crossbar.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:18:55–00:19:08 Ten minutes later, Blackburn's Speedie was fouled by James and Russell deep in Leicester City's half but the free kick from Cowans was cleared.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:28:51–00:30:13 A minute later, a one-two between Price and Newell saw the former's subsequent cross float off the end of the pitch.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:30:29–00:30:34 right|thumb|alt=Steve Walsh|Steve Walsh (pictured in 2010) conceded a penalty after fouling David Speedie in the 45th minute. In the 28th minute, a long pass from Colin Hill inside his own half found Tommy Wright who was fouled on the edge of the Blackburn penalty area by Alan Wright, but Thompson's free kick came to nothing.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:32:42–00:33:25 Three minutes later Tommy Wright made a run down the left wing and crossed the ball into the Blackburn box but it was gathered by Mimms ahead of Ormondroyd.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:35:30–00:35:37 On 36 minutes, a long pass out of defence by Alan Wright found Newell on the left who ran into the penalty area. He cut inside, wrong-footing two defenders before his goal-bound shot struck Leicester's Walsh in the face and the ball was cleared.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:40:52–00:41:04 Almost immediately, a long pass from Russell from the left was brought under control by Mills on the edge of the Blackburn box but his left-footed strike went wide of the post.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:41:16–00:41:25 A corner from Thompson in the 39th minute was met by James whose header was nodded over the Blackburn crossbar by Ormondroyd.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:43:40–00:43:35 A cross-field pass from Mills was then won by Ormondroyd as May tried to shepherd the ball out for a throw-in. Ormondroyd then beat Hendry in the penalty box and fell, but no penalty was awarded and Blackburn cleared the ball.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:45:17–00:45:34 With less than five minutes of the half remaining, Sellars received the ball just inside his own half and ran deep into the Blackburn half before releasing Alan Wright whose cross was plucked out of the air by Muggleton in the Leicester goal, ahead of Speedie.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:45:47–00:46:00 In the last minute of the first half, a long ball from Hendry was headed back by Newell to Speedie who was brought down by Walsh in the area to win a penalty.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:50:16–00:50:29 Newell took the spot kick, striking the ball to the bottom-right corner of the goal past Muggleton to make it 1–0.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:51:04–00:51:09 Second half Neither side made any changes at half time and Blackburn kicked off the second half, and dominated the early stages.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 00:59:14 In the 47th minute, the referee played advantage after Tommy Wright was fouled by May, allowing the ball to finally run to Russell on the right wing whose cross was gathered by Mimms.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:00:48–01:00:58 Two minutes later a goal kick from Mimms was headed by Hendry but fell to Thompson who struck it high and wide from around 25 yd.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:03:03–01:03:13 A 50th minute corner from Whitlow bounced around in the box before being cleared over the crossbar by Alan Wright.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:04:41–01:04:46 Four minutes later Tommy Wright was brought down by May deep in the Blackburn half which was adjudged a foul.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:07:58 Mimms got a hand to Whitlow's outswinging free kick but the ball fell to Grayson on the edge of the area: his off-target first-time shot was deflected by James then Newell towards his own goal before the ball was cleared off the line by Hendry.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:08:21–01:08:29 On 56 minutes, a free kick from Whitlow was headed towards the Leicester City goal by Ormondroyd before being cleared by Cowans.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:10:28–01:10:34 Five minutes later, a clearance from Hendry fell to Speedie and Blackburn found themselves with a three-on-one situation: instead of passing to Cowans, Speedie opted to try to beat the last man, Mills, who brought him down illegally.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:14:51–01:04:46 The foul earned Mills the first yellow card of the afternoon,Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:15:28 but the free kick from Sellars was caught by Muggleton.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:16:07–01:16:12 In the 65th minute, a long pass from Moran deep in his own half was collected by Walsh but his shot was off-target.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:18:54–01:19:02 Seconds later, a misplaced pass in the Leicester defence was worked to Sellars whose chipped shot went high over the crossbar.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:19:10–01:19:20 Leicester made the first change of the afternoon in the 67th minute when Gee came on to replace James.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:21:43 Atkins became the second player to be booked a minute later when he pulled back Mills.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:22:36–01:22:58 In the 71st minute, Blackburn cleared a long through but the ball fell to Thompson who passed the ball back to Grayson who struck wide of the left-hand post from around 20 yd.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:25:32–01:25:41 A minute later, Mills picked up a loose ball around the half-way line and ran into the Blackburn half unchallenged until Hendry brought him down outside the penalty area: the Blackburn defender was shown a yellow card for the foul.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:26:07–01:26:40 The resulting free kick from Thompson was headed over the bar by Walsh.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:27:42–01:28:03 Gee then headed the ball directly into the arms of Mimms from 8 yd.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:28:28–01:28:31 On 76 minutes, Atkins made a long pass which found Newell on the left flank in an advanced position: Newell ran on with the ball and his attempted chip was pushed away by Muggleton.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:29:34–01:29:49 On 77 minutes, a cross-field pass from Speedie was collected by Price on the edge of the Leicester City penalty area, but Muggleton gathered his low cross.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:30:51–01:30:59 Two minutes later May's long ball forward found Atkins in space but his diagonal shot was caught in the Leicester goal.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:32:10–01:32:17 With eleven minutes to go, Speedie was brought down by Grayson after being sent free down the left wing by a pass from Sellars. Speedie was then booked for pushing Grayson to the ground.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:32:37–01:33:26 Leicester's Gee then crossed from the corner of the Blackburn penalty area and Ormondroyd's header back across the face of goal was cleared by Hendry just ahead of Russell.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:34:00–01:34:06 With six minutes remaining, Newell passed to Atkins who ran into the area and was fouled by Muggleton who conceded the second penalty of the match.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:38:26–01:38:33 Sellars was then replaced by Richardson.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:39:03 Newell's spot kick was straight at Muggleton who deflected it onto the post, to keep the score at 1–0.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:39:10–01:39:17 Newell then received a goal kick from Mimms deep in Leicester territory, his cross was nudged on by Speedie to Atkins whose shot was tipped just past the post low to Muggleton's left.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:40:59–01:41:14 In the 89th minute, Tommy Wright's shot from inside the box went just over the Blackburn crossbar.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:42:43–01:42:46 Despite late pressure from Leicester City who were pushing for the equaliser, it was to no avail as the match ended 1–0 and Blackburn Rovers secured promotion.Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992, 01:46:48 Details 25 May 1992 15:00 BST Blackburn Rovers 1–0 Leicester City https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/63397470/the-guardian/ Newell ensures that money is well spent 12 David Lacey 16 November 2020 26 May 1992 Newspapers.com Newell 45 pen. Wembley Stadium, London 68,147 George Courtney _collarblue _bluesides _bluestripe2 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 ffff00 Blackburn Rovers _whitecollarplain _color_3_stripes_white 0000FF 0000FF 0000FF FFFFFF 0000FF Leicester City GK 1ENGBobby MimmsRB 2ENGDavid MayLB 3ENGAlan WrightCM 4ENGGordon CowansCB 5IRLKevin Moran (c)CB 6SCOColin Hendry 73RM 7ENGChris PriceCM 8 ENGMark Atkins 68FW 9SCODavid Speedie 80FW 10ENGMike NewellLM 11ENGScott Sellars 85Substitutes:MF 12ENGLee Richardson 85FW 14USARoy WegerleManager:SCOKenny Dalglish GK 1ENGCarl MuggletonRB 2ENGGary Mills (c) 60LB 3ENGMike WhitlowCB 4NIRColin HillCB 5ENGSteve WalshCB 6ENGTony James 67RM 7ENGSteve ThompsonCM 8 ENGSimon GraysonFW 9SCOTommy WrightFW 10ENGIan OrmondroydLM 11ENGKevin RussellSubstitutes:MF 12ENGDavid OldfieldFW 14ENGPhil Gee 67Manager:ENGBrian Little Post-match Walsh accused Speedie of diving: "Speedie's team will be delighted with him. He did what all strikers should do. Took a dive." https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19920526/471/0024 27 December 2020 Wembley spot of bother 26 May 1992 24 Aberdeen Press and Journal British Newspaper Archive subscription Speedie defended his actions: "I got the ball in the box, turned him and the fellow pushed me. As far as I'm concerned, it was a penalty." Defeated manager Little was disappointed but said "there is no way [he] would point the finger at anyone." His counterpart Dalglish said: "Speedie had a clear shot at goal. The referee has given the penalty, we took it and we scored." Courtney said that he believed made the correct decision, noting that he thought "Walsh took [Speedie] out and that is what [he] gave." Walker immediately made European football the next target for Dalglish declaring "we want Europe now". https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19920526/471/0024 British Newspaper Archive Liverpool Echo 27 December 2020 26 May 1992 40 subscription Kenny's Euro challenge Blackburn Rovers finished their following season in fourth place in the inaugural Premier League, the highest league position achieved by a play-off winner and scoring more goals than any other team in the division. https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/premier-league/1993/ 11v11 26 December 2020 AFS Enterprises Premier League end of season table for 1992–93 season Two years later, in the 1994–95 season, they became the first club promoted through the play-offs to win the Premier League.Foster, p. 119 Leicester City ended their next season in sixth place in the 1992–93 Football League First Division, and qualified for the play-off final where they lost 4–3 to Swindon Town. https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/1993/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 26 December 2020 League Division 1 end of season table for 1992–93 season 3 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200903113425/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-1/1993/ live https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-play-off-swindon-lifted-by-hoddles-husbandry-an-unsettling-sense-of-deja-vu-as-wembley-1489087.html Trevor Haylett Football / Play Off: Swindon lifted by Hoddle's husbandry: An unsettling sense of deja vu as Wembley proves an unhappy hunting ground for Leicester 1 June 1993 26 December 2020 The Independent https://web.archive.org/web/20200628204522/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-play-off-swindon-lifted-by-hoddles-husbandry-an-unsettling-sense-of-deja-vu-as-wembley-1489087.html 28 June 2020 live References The Agony & The Ecstasy Richard Foster 978-1-910906-00-2 Ockley Books 2015 Blackburn Rovers – The Complete Record Mike Jackman 978-1-859837-09-2 Breedon Books 2009 of Fossils & Foxes Dave Smith Paul Taylor Polar Publishing 2001 978-1-899538-21-8 1989 Leicester City vs Rovers 25/05/1992 YouTube Blackburn Rovers F.C. 23 December 2020 25 May 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-A3NzSuWk7I Football League play-off final Category:Football League Second Division play-off finals Category:EFL Championship play-off finals Play-off Final 1992 Play-off Final 1992 Football League Second Division play-off final Football League Second Division play-off final