2010 Football League Championship play-off final

Association football match in London December 2017 December 2017 2010 Football League Championship play-off final Flickr - joncandy - Wembley Screen.jpg 300 2009–10 Football League Championship Blackpool 3 Cardiff City 2 22 May 2010 Wembley Stadium London Keith Southern (Blackpool) Andre Marriner (Birmingham) 82,244 Sunny, 28 °C °F 2009 2011 The 2010 Football League Championship play-off final was an association football match played at Wembley Stadium, London, on 22 May 2010 between Blackpool and Cardiff City. The match was to determine the third and final team to win promotion from the Championship, the second tier of English football, to the Premier League for the 2010–11 season. The culmination of the 2010 Football League Championship play-offs, the match saw Blackpool beat Cardiff City to earn promotion alongside the division champions Newcastle United and runners-up West Bromwich Albion. The match, and subsequent promotion, were estimated to be worth around £90 million to the winning team. Blackpool entered the play-offs having finished sixth in the 2009–10 Football League Championship, securing the last of the play-off places on the final day of the regular season, while Cardiff finished two places above them in fourth. Blackpool reached the play-off final with a 6–4 aggregate semi-final victory over third-place finishers Nottingham Forest. In their semi-final, Cardiff beat fifth-placed Leicester City under a penalty shoot-out following a 3–3 aggregate draw over two legs. The play-off final was played in front of 82,244 spectators and was refereed by Andre Marriner. In the game, Cardiff twice took the lead through goals by Michael Chopra and Joe Ledley. On both occasions, Blackpool equalised within four minutes, first through Charlie Adam and later Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Blackpool took the lead shortly before half-time following a goal from striker Brett Ormerod. With no score from either team in the second half, the final result was a 3–2 victory for Blackpool. As a consequence of winning promotion, Blackpool's Bloomfield Road stadium, which had a capacity of 16,750, became one of the smallest stadiums to host Premier League football. It also meant Blackpool returned to the top flight of English League football for the first time since the 1970–71 season, when they spent one season in the old First Division, finishing bottom. In the season following their 2010 play-off final victory, they were relegated back to the Championship. Cardiff reached the play-offs again the following season but were defeated in the semi-finals. Route to the final 2009–10 Football League Championship main WDL Q right auto Football League Championship final table, leading positions NEW Newcastle United WBA West Bromwich Albion NOT Nottingham Forest CAR Cardiff City LEI Leicester City BLP Blackpool 30 12 4 90 35 26 13 7 89 48 22 13 11 65 40 22 10 14 73 54 21 13 12 61 45 19 13 14 74 58 complete https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/championship/2009-2010/regular-season/ Soccerway 30 July 2020 Championship – Regular season – 2009/2010 The 2009–10 Championship title was won by Newcastle United with 102 points, returning to the Premier League one season after being relegated.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/20/newcastle-united-championship-title Chris Hughton praises team and fans as Newcastle United clinch title The Guardian 20 April 2010 10 February 2018 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114349/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/20/newcastle-united-championship-title live The second automatic promotion spot was claimed by West Bromwich Albion who had also been relegated from the Premier League the previous year.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8607467.stm Doncaster Rovers 2–3 West Bromwich Albion BBC Sport 10 April 2010 10 February 2018 Marc Vesty https://web.archive.org/web/20170620112329/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8607467.stm 20 June 2017 live Blackpool, who had been considered candidates for relegation at the start of the season by some critics,https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/cardiff-city/7746735/Cardiff-City-v-Blackpool-Dave-Jones-fears-QPR-fans-revenge-ahead-of-Wembley-clash.html Cardiff City v Blackpool: Dave Jones fears QPR fans' revenge ahead of Wembley clash The Daily Telegraph Jeremy Wilson Rory Smith 20 May 2010 10 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180211002047/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/cardiff-city/7746735/Cardiff-City-v-Blackpool-Dave-Jones-fears-QPR-fans-revenge-ahead-of-Wembley-clash.html 11 February 2018 live finished the campaign in sixth position to claim the final play-off place. They secured the spot with a 1–1 draw against Bristol City in their final league match.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8644515.stm Blackpool 1–1 Bristol City BBC Sport 2 May 2010 10 February 2018 Anna Thompson https://web.archive.org/web/20100503170416/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8644515.stm 3 May 2010 live With a total of 70 points, they finished a single point ahead of Swansea City who were held to a 0–0 draw with Doncaster Rovers in their final match.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8647125.stm Swansea 0–0 Doncaster BBC Sport 2 May 2010 10 February 2018 David Dulin https://web.archive.org/web/20180211013324/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8647125.stm 11 February 2018 live Blackpool's opponents for the play-off semi-finals were third-placed Nottingham Forest, against whom they won the first leg 2–1 at Bloomfield Road. Having conceded a 13th-minute goal from Chris Cohen, Blackpool came from behind to win following a goal from Keith Southern and a penalty from Charlie Adam.Blackpool 2–1 Nottm Forest https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8659640.stm BBC Sport 8 May 2010 7 July 2015 In the second leg, Blackpool twice fell behind, equalising first through DJ Campbell, after an early first-half goal from Robert Earnshaw, and again from Stephen Dobbie after Earnshaw's second goal of the match.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool/7711956/Nottingham-Forest-3-Blackpool-4-agg-4-6-match-report.html Nottingham Forest 3 Blackpool 4; agg 4–6: match report The Daily Telegraph Sandy Macaskill 11 May 2010 10 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180210181649/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool/7711956/Nottingham-Forest-3-Blackpool-4-agg-4-6-match-report.html 10 February 2018 live They took the lead with two quick goals from Campbell who completed his hat-trick in the space of three minutes, scoring in the 76th and 79th minutes, as Blackpool took a 6–3 aggregate lead. Forest striker Dele Adebola scored a late consolation goal in injury time but Blackpool advanced to the play-off final as the match finished 4–3, with an aggregate score of 6–4.Nott'm Forest 3–4 Blackpool (agg 4–6) https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8672355.stm BBC Sport 11 May 2010 7 July 2015 Paul Fletcher https://web.archive.org/web/20100513085215/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8672355.stm 13 May 2010 live thumb|left|Blackpool fans celebrate at Bloomfield Road after their final league match of the campaign having reached the play-offs Cardiff City finished fourth in the Championship, three points behind Nottingham Forest and level on points with Leicester City in fifth, to reach the Championship play-offs for the first time.From the Ashes – The Real Story of Cardiff City Football Club Saunders Christian Llygad Gwalch Cyf Llanrwst 2013 9781845242138 308–311 The first leg at the Walkers Stadium was decided by a single goal from Cardiff's Peter Whittingham, who scored from a free kick in the 78th minute. Despite intense pressure in the final 10 minutes, Cardiff held out to claim victory.Peter Shuttleworth Leicester 0–1 Cardiff https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8659717.stm BBC Sport 9 May 2010 7 July 2015 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114351/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8659717.stm live In the second leg, Michael Chopra opened the scoring to double Cardiff's aggregate lead, but an equaliser on the day from Matty Fryatt and an own goal from Cardiff captain Mark Hudson made it level on aggregate at 2–2. Andy King then gave Leicester the lead on aggregate with a goal just after half-time. With just over 20 minutes to play, Cardiff were awarded a penalty, which Whittingham scored to level the aggregate score again at 3–3. With the away goals rule not in effect in the Football League play-offs,https://www.efl.com/clubs-and-competitions/sky-bet-play-offs/play-off-history/#:~:text=Away%20goals%20do%20not%20count,play-off%20semi%20final%20matches.&text=The%20final%20must%20be%20decided,one%20they%20are%20currenly%20in. About the Play-offs English Football League 8 October 2020 the match went to extra time. No further goals were scored in the additional 30 minutes, so the match had to be settled by a penalty shoot-out. Both sides scored each of their first three kicks, before David Marshall saved a Panenka attempt from Leicester's Yann Kermorgant, allowing Mark Kennedy to give Cardiff the lead. Marshall then saved Martyn Waghorn's spot-kick to put Cardiff through to the final.Peter Shuttleworth Cardiff 2–3 Leicester (agg 3–3) https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8672579.stm BBC Sport 12 May 2010 7 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20140514040016/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8672579.stm 14 May 2014 live BlackpoolCardiff CityOpponentResultLegsRoundOpponentResultLegsNottingham Forest6–42–1 home; 4–3 awaySemi-finalsLeicester City3–3 (4–3 on pens)1–0 away; 2–3 home Match Background thumb|right|Cardiff City fans (blue) and Blackpool fans (tangerine) make their way to the stadium along Wembley Way Ian Holloway had been appointed manager of Blackpool at the end of the 2008–09 season on a one-year contract, following a year without a role in football.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8061441.stm Blackpool unveil Holloway as boss BBC Sport 21 May 2009 16 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20160113003653/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8061441.stm 13 January 2016 live During the summer transfer window, he made numerous signings, the most prominent of which was the permanent signing of Charlie Adam for around £500,000. Adam had impressed during a loan the spell the previous year and continued his form by finishing the 2009–10 campaign as the club's highest goalscorer with 16 league goals.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8121542.stm Adam completes move to Blackpool BBC Sport 4 August 2009 16 July 2020 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114351/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8121542.stm live https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=317&teamTabs=Stats Blackpool player statistics 2009/20 Soccerbase Centurycomm 16 July 2020 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114351/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=317&teamTabs=Stats live Blackpool president Valērijs Belokoņs had promised the club's players a £5million reward fund at the start of the 2009–10 season if they achieved promotion to the Premier League, to be shared among the players dependent on appearances made over the course of the season. Club captain Ian Evatt stated that the potential bonus had spurred the team on during the season, commenting that "if anyone deserves it, it is this group of players". Cardiff had narrowly failed to gain a play-off place the previous year, losing the final place to Preston North End on the last day of the season after failing to win any of their last four matches.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8015132.stm Sheffield Wednesday 1–0 Cardiff City BBC Sport 3 May 2009 15 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20090504005710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8015132.stm 4 May 2009 live Defender Roger Johnson was sold to Birmingham City for £5million,https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/jun/25/birmingham-cardiff-roger-johnson-balde Birmingham complete £5m signing of Roger Johnson from Cardiff The Guardian 25 June 2009 15 July 2020 but the money was reinvested into the side with the arrivals of Chopra, Hudson, Marshall, Anthony Gerrard and Paul Quinn. The signing of Chopra for a reported £4million more than doubled the club's previous transfer record, surpassing the £1.75m paid for Peter Thorne in 2001.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8134271.stm Chopra competes Cardiff switch BBC Sport 4 July 2009 15 July 2020 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114413/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/8134271.stm live Chopra proved prolific during the campaign, scoring 21 times in all competitions. He was the club's second highest goalscorer for the season behind Whittingham who scored 25 times.https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=485&teamTabs=Stats Cardiff City Player Appearances 2009/10 Soccerbase Centurycomm 15 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200715113912/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=485&teamTabs=Stats 15 July 2020 live The two teams were competing for promotion to the Premier League, the first tier of the English football league system. The play-off final was held at Wembley Stadium in London. Blackpool had played once before at the redeveloped Wembley, defeating Yeovil Town 2–0 in the 2007 Football League One play-off final.https://www.fchd.info/BLACKPOO.HTM Blackpool Football Club History Database 10 February 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20081231013709/http://www.fchd.info/BLACKPOO.HTM 31 December 2008 live Cardiff had played at the redeveloped stadium on two occasions in 2008, in the semi-final and final of the 2007–08 FA Cup.http://fchd.info/CARDIFFC.HTM Cardiff City Football Club History Database 10 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20170424201828/http://www.fchd.info/CARDIFFC.HTM 24 April 2017 live Neither side had played in the Premier League since the league's decision to break away from the Football League in 1992 and Cardiff would have become the first non-English team to play in the league had they won. Holloway had previously met Cardiff in the 2003 Football League Second Division play-off final seven years previously, when his Queens Park Rangers side lost in extra time.http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/play-off-final-2003-cardiff-city-1918653 Play-off final 2003: Cardiff City v QPR (Looking back) WalesOnline Media Wales 18 May 2010 11 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180111052741/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/play-off-final-2003-cardiff-city-1918653 11 January 2018 live The Championship play-off finals are considered one of the most financially lucrative matches in football. The winners of the 2010 final were believed to receive around £90million for winning the match and the subsequent promotion to the Premier League due to increased commercial and broadcasting income.http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11689/10295845/the-price-of-championship-play-off-promotion-the-richest-game-in-football The price of Championship play-off promotion: The richest game in football Sky Sports Gerard Brand 28 May 2016 10 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20200131235145/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11689/10295845/the-price-of-championship-play-off-promotion-the-richest-game-in-football 31 January 2020 live The Football League announced that the English national anthem "God Save the Queen", traditionally played before play-off finals would not be included. This decision would later become Football League policy in subsequent matches at Wembley between Welsh and English clubs. It originated from events at the 2008 FA Cup Final between Portsmouth and Cardiff, in which both "God Save the Queen" and the Welsh anthem "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau" were played and both sets of supporters jeered the opposing anthems.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/9100199/Carling-Cup-final-2012-no-national-anthems-to-be-played-ahead-of-Liverpools-clash-with-Cardiff-City.html Carling Cup final 2012: no national anthems to be played ahead of Liverpool's clash with Cardiff City The Daily Telegraph 23 February 2012 27 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180427183948/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/9100199/Carling-Cup-final-2012-no-national-anthems-to-be-played-ahead-of-Liverpools-clash-with-Cardiff-City.html 27 April 2018 live Pre-match thumb|right|The two teams line-up at Wembley Stadium prior to kick-off Holloway made no changes to Blackpool's matchday squad, naming the same starting line-up and substitutes used in their play-off semi-final second leg. Jones also made no changes to the side that had started the second leg of the club's play-off semi-final against Leicester City, striker Jay Bothroyd overcoming doubts over a grade two hamstring strain injury to be named in the starting line-up.https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/day-cardiff-city-hearts-were-9265123 The day Cardiff City hearts were broken by Blackpool... The story of the Bluebirds' 2010 play-off final horror told by those who were there WalesOnline Media Wales Gareth Rogers 22 May 2015 10 February 2018 The only change to Cardiff's matchday squad was Gerrard being selected on the bench in place of Gábor Gyepes. Cardiff kept their team hotel location secret in order to avoid any attempts of a retaliation attempt by fans of Queens Park Rangers. This followed an incident prior to the 2003 play-off final when the two sides met in which a Cardiff fan was arrested after triggering a false fire alarm call at the Rangers' team hotel during the night prior to the match.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/21/cardiff-city-qpr-fans-revenge Cardiff City tighten hotel security amid fears of QPR fans' revenge The Guardian Stuart James 21 May 2010 10 February 2018 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114419/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/21/cardiff-city-qpr-fans-revenge live http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3004610.stm Ex-soccer minder admits hoax BBC News 19 June 2003 10 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20031010003309/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3004610.stm 10 October 2003 live Rangers' internet message boards had seen fans threaten a possible "revenge attack". Cardiff manager Dave Jones stated that the club had taken extra precautions, but that "they will probably find out where we are staying. If it goes off, it goes off; but I think there is enough security there." The Cardiff squad would receive a £1.6million bonus to be shared among the players if they achieved promotion.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool/7747307/Blackpool-v-Cardiff-City-match-preview.html Blackpool v Cardiff City: match preview The Daily Telegraph John Ley 21 May 2010 19 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180220092216/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool/7747307/Blackpool-v-Cardiff-City-match-preview.html 20 February 2018 live The referee for the match was Andre Marriner (Birmingham).https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/22/blackpool-cardiff-play-off-championship Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff City The Guardian Jamie Jackson 22 May 2010 10 February 2018 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114413/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/22/blackpool-cardiff-play-off-championship live https://www.premierleague.com/referees/16950/Andre-Marriner/overview Andre Marriner Premier League 12 October 2020 28 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200928151626/https://www.premierleague.com/referees/16950/Andre-Marriner/overview dead He was assisted by Dave Bryan (Lincolnshire) and Adam Watts (Worcestershire),https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/adam-watts-mike-jones-andre-marriner-and-dave-bryan-news-photo/807870180#adam-watts-mike-jones-andre-marriner-and-dave-bryan-picture-id807870180 Soccer – Coca-Cola Football League Championship – Play Off Final – Blackpool v Cardiff City – Wembley Stadium Getty Images 26 February 2018https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2016/january/ref-watch-liverpool/ Ref Watch:Liverpool Exeter City F.C. Martin Paul 7 January 2016 12 October 2020https://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/10078989.assistant-referee-watts-lands-top-position/ Assistant referee Watts lands top position Kidderminster Shuttle 30 November 2012 12 October 2020 with Mike Jones (Cheshire) acting as the fourth official.https://www.premierleague.com/referees/16922/Mike-Jones/overview Mike Jones Premier League 26 February 2018 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114419/https://www.premierleague.com/referees/16922/Mike-Jones/overview live Summary Cardiff kicked off the match around 3p.m. in front of a Wembley Stadium crowd of 82,244.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8698021.stm Championship play-off final as it happened BBC Sport Cheese Caroline 22 May 2010 16 October 2020https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8692465.stm Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff City BBC Sport Paul Fletcher 22 May 2010 10 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103153506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8692465.stm 3 November 2012 live They began as the more attacking of the teams, with Peter Whittingham playing a cross into the box where Chopra was able to beat opposition defender Alex Baptiste to the ball, hitting the crossbar with his resulting shot four minutes into the match.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/7753192/Blackpool-3-Cardiff-City-2-match-report.html Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff City The Daily Telegraph John Ley 22 May 2010 10 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180211000522/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/7753192/Blackpool-3-Cardiff-City-2-match-report.html 11 February 2018 live Five minutes later, Whittingham again played in Chopra, allowing the striker to score past Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks into the bottom corner of the net. Four minutes later Cardiff conceded a free kick on the edge of their penalty area when Stephen McPhail was adjudged by Marriner to have deliberately handled the ball. Adam hit the free kick around the wall and into the net to equalise. After fifteen minutes Cardiff's Bothroyd succumbed to his pre-existing hamstring injury and was substituted, being replaced by loan player Kelvin Etuhu. Blackpool were able to gain control of the game as Cardiff adjusted to the change, with both Stephen Crainey and DJ Campbell shooting wide from outside the penalty area. thumb|right|Blackpool players celebrate Brett Ormerod's winning goal As Cardiff regrouped, they created several opportunities towards the end of the first half. They retook the lead after 36 minutes when Whittingham recorded his second assist of the match by playing a pass to Joe Ledley who beat the advancing Gilks to give Cardiff a 2–1 lead. Blackpool equalised again four minutes later: a Blackpool corner was fumbled by Cardiff goalkeeper Marshall and fell to Evatt whose shot was blocked on the goal line by Kennedy. The ball fell to Gary Taylor-Fletcher, who had hit the post with a shot minutes earlier, and he was able to turn the ball into the net. Blackpool continued to press and they took the lead in first-half injury time when Campbell was tackled by a Cardiff defender only for the ball to deflect to Brett Ormerod who gave Blackpool a 3–2 lead.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/7753124/Championship-play-off-final-Blackpool-v-Cardiff-live.html Championship play-off final: Blackpool v Cardiff live 22 May 2010 The Daily Telegraph 24 May 2010 London Steve Wilson https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153824/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/7753124/Championship-play-off-final-Blackpool-v-Cardiff-live.html 3 December 2017 live Ormerod later described the chance, stating "Marshall jumped at me and made himself big so all I could do was to bung the ball straight through his legs". Shortly before the end of the first half, Cardiff defender Darcy Blake managed to score but the goal was ruled out for offside. The half ended with no further score; it was a record for the most goals scored in the first half of a Championship play-off final. Despite taking the lead, Blackpool continued to attack after half-time, with Taylor-Fletcher creating chances for the side early in the second half. Holloway substituted two of his side's goalscorers within the first fifteen minutes of the half, replacing Taylor-Fletcher and Ormerod with Stephen Dobbie and Ben Burgess. Chopra struck the post for the second time in the match soon after, when Chris Burke had played a pass to the striker, and Ledley and Etuhu both had attempts on goal as Cardiff pushed forward. Cardiff replaced winger Burke with forward Ross McCormack but, as their frustration grew, they committed more players to attacks and Blackpool created several chances late in the game as they looked to counter-attack. However, both sides were unable to convert any chances and the match eventually finished with Blackpool securing a 3–2 victory. Details 22 May 2010 15:00 BST Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff City Report Adam 13Taylor-Fletcher 41Ormerod 45+1 Chopra 9Ledley 37 Wembley Stadium, London 82,244 Andre Marriner (Birmingham) _borderonwhite _vneckwhite _borderonwhite _whitetop F28500 F28500 F28500 F28500 Blackpool _cardiff0910h _cardiff0910h _cardiff0910h _cardiff0910h _cardiff0910hl 0000FF 0000FF 0000FF FFFFFF FFFFFF Cardiff City GK 21ENG Matt GilksRB 31IRL Séamus ColemanCB 15ENG Alex BaptisteCB 6 ENG Ian EvattLB 3 SCO Stephen CraineyRM 11WAL David Vaughan 90+2CM 4 ENG Keith SouthernLM 26SCO Charlie Adam (c)RW 19ENG DJ CampbellLW 10ENG Brett Ormerod 60CF 12ENG Gary Taylor-Fletcher 53Substitutes:GK 1 ENG Paul RachubkaDF 24WAL Rob EdwardsMF 29SCO Barry Bannan 90+2FW 7 IRL Billy ClarkeFW 9 IRL Ben Burgess 53FW 18JAM Jason EuellFW 33SCO Stephen Dobbie 60Manager:ENG Ian Holloway300px GK 1 SCO David MarshallRB 2 SCO Kevin McNaughton 74CB 5 ENG Mark Hudson (c)CB 23WAL Darcy BlakeLB 3IRL Mark KennedyRM 11SCO Chris Burke 58CM 10IRL Stephen McPhailCM 16WAL Joe LedleyLM 7 ENG Peter WhittinghamCF 9 ENG Jay Bothroyd 15CF 8 ENG Michael ChopraSubstitutes:GK 20FIN Peter EnckelmanDF 12NIR Tony CapaldiDF 14SCO Paul QuinnDF 15IRL Anthony Gerrard 74MF 17NGA Kelvin Etuhu 15MF 28ENG Aaron WildigFW 44SCO Ross McCormack 58Manager:ENG Dave Jones Match officials: Assistant referees: Dave Bryan (Lincolnshire) Adam Watts (Worcestershire) Fourth official: Mike Jones (Cheshire)Match rules:https://www.efl.com/-more/governance/efl-rules--regulations/section-5--fixtures/ Section 5: Fixtures English Football League 28 October 2020 90 minutes 30 minutes of extra time if necessary Penalty shoot-out if scores still level Seven named substitutes, of which three may be used +StatisticsPaul Fletcher Blackpool win to seal fairytale promotion https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8692465.stm BBC Sport 22 May 2010 19 May 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103153506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8692465.stm 3 November 2012 live BlackpoolCardiffCityTotal shots1211Shots on target65Ball possession56%44%Corner kicks56Fouls committed136Offsides23Yellow cards33Red cards00 Post-match By winning the match, Blackpool returned to the first tier of English football for the first time since the 1970–71 season and were described in The Daily Telegraph as the "smallest club" to reach the Premier League. The club's home ground, Bloomfield Road, became one of the smallest grounds in Premier League history, initially able to hold around 12,000 spectators until a mid-season upgrade increased the capacity to 16,750.https://www.the42.ie/7-smallest-stadiums-premier-league-history-2073731-Apr2015/ 7 of the smallest stadiums in Premier League history the42.ie 28 April 2015 16 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20160506100603/http://www.the42.ie/7-smallest-stadiums-premier-league-history-2073731-Apr2015/ 6 May 2016 live Holloway became only the second Blackpool manager to win promotion in his first season at the club, alongside Les Shannon who managed the 1970–71 team.http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/ian-holloway/ Ian Holloway League Managers Association 16 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200716091214/http://www.leaguemanagers.com/managers/ian-holloway/ 16 July 2020 live Holloway described himself as "bursting with pride" over the club's promotion to the Premier League in his first season in the role.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool/7753977/Blackpool-manager-Ian-Holloway-bursting-with-pride-as-side-reach-Premier-League.html Blackpool manager Ian Holloway 'bursting with pride' as side reach Premier League The Daily Telegraph 22 May 2010 10 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180211002045/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/blackpool/7753977/Blackpool-manager-Ian-Holloway-bursting-with-pride-as-side-reach-Premier-League.html 11 February 2018 live Blackpool midfielder Keith Southern was named man of the match.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/i-played-the-game-saturday48-hours-later-i-was-told-i-had-cancer-7079654.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/i-played-the-game-saturday48-hours-later-i-was-told-i-had-cancer-7079654.html 1 May 2022 subscription 'I played the game Saturday...48 hours later I was told I had cancer' The Independent Simon Hart 18 February 2012 26 February 2018 live The club appointed a five-man panel to allocate the promised £5million promotion bonus. This consisted of chairman Karl Oyston, Holloway, club captain Jason Euell, the club's Professional Footballers' Association representative Paul Rachubka and Stephen Crainey. Oyston later revealed that the club's squad had voted to exclude three players from the bonus payout, former loan signings Marcel Seip and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas and an unnamed contracted player.https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/pool-stars-offered-huge-bonus-1-3488812 Pool stars offered huge bonus Blackpool Gazette 17 June 2011 20 February 2018 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20180221095934/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/pool-stars-offered-huge-bonus-1-3488812 21 February 2018 Emmanuel-Thomas and the unnamed player accepted a lower payout but defender Seip later sued the club over his share of the promotion bonus having been excluded from the payout. Having played seven matches during the season, he was later awarded £72,206 plus legal costs and interest.https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/seip-wins-bonus-cash-fight-1-3479374 Seip wins bonus cash fight Blackpool Gazette 15 June 2011 20 February 2018 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20180612234501/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/seip-wins-bonus-cash-fight-1-3479374 12 June 2018 Loanees Séamus Coleman and DJ Campbell both returned to their parent clubs at the end of the season. A permanent deal for Leicester City striker Campbell was completed on 31 August 2010 despite Blackpool initially refusing to pay the asking price.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8958495.stm DJ Campbell re-signs for Blackpool BBC Sport 31 August 2010 20 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180211132526/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8958495.stm 11 February 2018 live https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8874290.stm Blackpool players finally receive promotion bonuses BBC Sport 10 August 2010 20 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180220153930/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/8874290.stm 20 February 2018 live Ben Burgess was the only contracted player in the play-off final matchday squad to leave the club prior to the Premier League season, joining Notts County.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/8784267.stm Notts County sign Ben Burgess and John Spicer BBC Sport 2 July 2010 20 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180220153249/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/8784267.stm 20 February 2018 live thumb|right|Cardiff City players following the end of the match The following season, Blackpool, who earned praise for their attacking style of play,https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/the-rise-and-fall-of-blackpool-fc-1-7902906 The rise and fall of Blackpool FC Blackpool Gazette William Watt 10 May 2016 10 February 2018 11 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180211071730/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/the-rise-and-fall-of-blackpool-fc-1-7902906 dead were relegated on the final day of the season having lost 4–2 to Manchester United.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9492248.stm Premier League D-Day as it happened BBC Sport 22 May 2011 10 February 2018 Sam Lyon https://web.archive.org/web/20110522111407/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9492248.stm 22 May 2011 live In their first season back in the Championship, with the promise of another promotion bonus, Holloway led the club to another play-off final where they suffered a 2–1 defeat to West Ham United.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18044378 Blackpool 1–2 West Ham United BBC Sport Paul Fletcher 19 May 2012 10 February 2018 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114431/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/18044378 live In November 2012, Holloway left Blackpool after being offered the manager's job at Crystal Palace.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/nov/03/ian-holloway-new-crystal-palace-manager Press Association Ian Holloway leaves Blackpool to become Crystal Palace manager The Guardian 3 November 2012 10 February 2018 29 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200929114429/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/nov/03/ian-holloway-new-crystal-palace-manager live Following Holloway's departure, the club struggled under several managers and were eventually relegated to League One in 2014 and then suffered a second relegation in successive years, to League Two. Cardiff reached the play-offs again in the 2010–11 season after finishing fourth but suffered defeat in the semi-final, losing 3–0 on aggregate to Reading.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13343340 Cardiff 0–3 Reading (0–3) BBC Sport 17 May 2011 20 February 2018 Dewi Hughes https://web.archive.org/web/20170729073721/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13343340 29 July 2017 live The defeat would ultimately cost Cardiff manager Dave Jones his job as the club decided to terminate his contract following an end-of-season performance review. At the time of his departure, Jones was the longest serving manager in the Championship.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13594051 Cardiff City sack manager Dave Jones BBC Sport 30 May 2011 20 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181107021805/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13594051 7 November 2018 live After a third successive defeat in the play-offs in 2012, Cardiff gained promotion to the Premier League in 2013 by winning the Championship title.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/17/cardiff-celebrate-promotion-premier-league 'We've finally done it' – Cardiff celebrate promotion to Premier League The Guardian Stuart James 16 April 2013 20 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180220212523/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/apr/17/cardiff-celebrate-promotion-premier-league 20 February 2018 live The match was the last game at Cardiff for several players involved including Joe Ledley and substitutes Mark Kennedy,https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8805917.stm Former Cardiff midfielder Joe Ledley signs for Celtic BBC Sport 12 July 2010 20 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180220212907/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8805917.stm 20 February 2018 live https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mark-kennedy-completes-ipswich-move-1910300 Mark Kennedy completes Ipswich move WalesOnline Media Wales 28 July 2010 20 February 2018 Ross McCormack, Tony Capaldi and Peter Enckelman.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/8826601.stm Tony Capaldi back on trial at Plymouth Argyle BBC Sport 15 July 2010 20 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180220213648/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/8826601.stm 20 February 2018 live https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/st_johnstone/8898013.stm Goalkeeper Peter Enckelman agrees St Johnstone deal BBC Sport 9 August 2010 20 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180220213240/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/st_johnstone/8898013.stm 20 February 2018 live The five were among eleven first-team players to depart after the final. References Category:EFL Championship play-off finals Play-off Final 2010 Play-off Final 2010 1 play Play-off Final Football League Championship play-off final Football League Championship play-off final