2008 Football League Two play-off final

November 2017 May 2021 2008 Football League Two play-off final Wembley-Stadion 2013.jpg The match was played at Wembley Stadium. Stockport County 3 Rochdale 2 26 May 2008 Wembley Stadium London Anthony Pilkington (Stockport County) Stuart Attwell 35,715 Rain, windy 2007 2009 The 2008 Football League Two play-off final was an association football match which was played on 26 May 2008 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Stockport County and Rochdale to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from Football League Two to the Football League One. The top three teams of the 2007–08 Football League Two season, Milton Keynes Dons, Peterborough United and Hereford United, gained automatic promotion to League One, while those placed from fourth to seventh in the table took part in play-offs. The winners of the play-off semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2008–09 season in League One. The losing semi-finalists were Darlington and Wycombe Wanderers. The referee for the final, which was played in front of 35,715 spectators, was Stuart Attwell. Rochdale's Rory McArdle scored with a close-range header in the 24th minute before Tommy Rowe's cross was diverted into his own net Nathan Stanton for an own goal, to level the score. Four minutes into the second half, Stockport County took the lead once again when Anthony Pilkington scored with a header. He then passed to Dickinson who struck the ball past the Rochdale goalkeeper Tommy Lee to make it 3–1 in the 67th minute. Ten minutes later, Adam Rundle reduced the deficit when he scored from around 18 yd but no further goals were scored and the match ended 3–2 to Stockport County. Stockport County's following season saw them deducted ten points for entering administration. As a consequence, they ended the season in eighteenth place in the table, three positions and one point above the relegation zone. In Rochdale's next season, they finished in sixth position and qualified for the 2009 Football League play-offs where they lost 2–1 on aggregate to Gillingham in the semi-final. Route to the final 2007–08 Football League Two main WDL Q right auto Football League Two final table, leading positions MKD Milton Keynes Dons PET Peterborough United HER Hereford United STP Stockport County ROC Rochdale DAR Darlington WYC Wycombe Wanderers 29 10 7 82 37 28 8 10 84 43 26 10 10 72 41 24 10 12 72 54 23 11 12 77 54 22 12 12 67 40 22 12 12 56 42 complete https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/2007-2008/regular-season/r5059/ Soccerway 14 May 2021 League Two – 2007/2008 – Regular season Perform Group 19 November 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171119162750/http://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/2007-2008/regular-season/r5059/ live Stockport County finished the regular 2007–08 season in fourth position in Football League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system, one place and two points ahead of Rochdale. Both therefore missed out on the three automatic places for promotion to Football League One and instead took part in the play-offs to determine the fourth promoted team. Stockport County finished six points behind Hereford United (who were promoted in third place), ten behind Peterborough United (who were promoted in second place), and fifteen behind league winners Milton Keynes Dons. Stockport County had gained 55 points from their final 24 games, losing just three and finished the season in fourth place with 82 points. Rochdale picked up 45 points for their final 24 games and finished the season in fifth place with 80 points.http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-two/2007-2008 Final league table Statto Organisation 4 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080515191310/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/league-two/2007-2008 15 May 2008 live dmy-all Stockport County faced Wycombe Wanderers in their play-off semi-final with the first match of the two-legged tie taking place at Adams Park in High Wycombe on 11 May 2008. https://www.11v11.com/matches/wycombe-wanderers-v-stockport-county-11-may-2008-281313/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 1 July 2021 Wycombe Wanderers v Stockport County, 11 May 2008 17 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201017221500/https://www.11v11.com/matches/wycombe-wanderers-v-stockport-county-11-may-2008-281313/ live Stockport went 1–0 down after a mistake from goalkeeper John Ruddy allowed Delroy Facey to score just before half-time. In the second half Stockport equalised on 82 minutes when Stephen Gleeson scored with a volley to make it 1–1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7381787.stm Wycombe 1–1 Stockport 11 May 2008 15 May 2021 BBC Sport 13 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080513010511/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7381787.stm live The second leg was held at Edgeley Park in Stockport six days later. Liam Dickinson scored the only goal of the game in the sixth minute after a solo run from the halfway line to tap the ball past Frank Fielding in the Wycombe goal. The home side confirmed their place in the play-off final with a 2–1 aggregate win. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7393798.stm BBC Sport 15 May 2021 17 May 2008 Chris Whyatt Stockport 1–0 Wycombe (agg 2–1) 21 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080521001459/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7393798.stm live Rochdale faced Darlington in their play-off semi-final, with the first leg being held away at Balfour Webnet Arena on 10 May 2008. https://www.11v11.com/matches/darlington-v-rochdale-10-may-2008-281316/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 1 July 2021 Darlington v Rochdale, 10 May 2008 Jason Kennedy opened the scoring for the home side with a lob in the 28th minute before Chris Dagnall equalised for Rochdale on 70 minutes when his shot was deflected into the net by a Darlington defender, wrong-footing the goalkeeper David Stockdale. Ian Miller won the game 2–1 for Darlington in the first minute of stoppage time with a header. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7381778.stm Darlington 2–1 Rochdale BBC Sport 10 May 2008 17 May 2021 13 May 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080513010506/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7381778.stm live The return leg was held at Spotland seven days later. https://www.11v11.com/matches/rochdale-v-darlington-17-may-2008-281323/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 1 July 2021 Rochdale v Darlington, 17 May 2008 1 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175141/https://www.11v11.com/matches/rochdale-v-darlington-17-may-2008-281323/ live Darlington opened the scoring in the 28th minute after Rene Howe impeded Kennedy in the penalty area, and Clark Keltie scored from the penalty spot. Rochdale drew level on 43 minutes through Chris Dagnall and then took the lead after a deflected strike from David Perkins found the net on 78 minutes. With the score at 2–1 after regular time, the aggregate scoreline was 3–3 and the match went into extra time, during which Perkins was sent off for dissent. No goals were scored during the additional period, so the match had to be decided by a penalty shootout. Rochdale scored all five of their penalties while Darlington's Kennedy missed his and sent Rochdale to the play-off final. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7393797.stm BBC Sport 17 May 2021 Rochdale 2–1 Darlington Sarah Holt 17 May 2008 After the game Rochdale failed in an appeal against the red card given to Perkins and he was subsequently unavailable for selection for the final.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rochdale/7411327.stm Rochdale fail in red card appeal BBC Sport 20 May 2008 20 May 2008 1 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175158/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rochdale/7411327.stm live Match Background This was Stockport County's fifth appearance in the play-offs, having failed to make it past the semi-finals in 1990 and 1993 and losing both the 1992 Football League Third Division play-off final and the 1994 Football League Second Division play-off final. They had played in the fourth tier of English football since being relegated in the 2004–05 season. https://www.fchd.info/STOCKPCO.HTM Stockport County Football Club History Database 25 March 2021 Rochdale were taking part in their second play-off having lost in the 2002 semi-finals 4–3 on aggregate to Rushden & Diamonds. They had played fourth-tier football since being relegated in the 1973–74 season. https://www.fchd.info/ROCHDALE.HTM Rochdale Football Club History Database 17 May 2021 17 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210517104155/https://www.fchd.info/ROCHDALE.HTM live In the meetings between the sides during the regular season, Stockport County won both matches: a 2–1 victory at Spotland in November 2007 was followed by a 2–0 win at Edgeley Park the next March. https://www.11v11.com/teams/stockport-county/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Rochdale/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 17 May 2021 Stockport County football club: record v Rochdale 6 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210506163634/https://www.11v11.com/teams/stockport-county/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Rochdale/ live Dickinson was Stockport County's top scorer during the regular season with 19 goals (all in the league), followed by Anthony Elding with 15 goals (13 in the league, 1 in the League Cup and 1 in the Football League Trophy) who had transferred to Leeds United in January 2008. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/3706944/elding-i-dont-want-to-go Sky Sports 17 May 2021 Elding – I don't want to go 18 June 2008 17 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210517150803/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/3706944/elding-i-dont-want-to-go live https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2473&teamTabs=stats&season_id=137 Stockport squad details – 2007/08 – Player appearances Centurycomm 17 May 2021 Soccerbase 17 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210517145630/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2473&teamTabs=stats&season_id=137 live Rochdale's leading scorers were Le Fondre with 17 goals (16 in the league, 1 in the FA Cup) and Glenn Murray with 10 (9 in the league, 1 in the League Cup). https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2175&teamTabs=stats&season_id=137 Rochdale squad details – 2007/08 – Player appearances Centurycomm 17 May 2021 Soccerbase 17 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210517145628/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2175&teamTabs=stats&season_id=137 live The referee for the final was Stuart Attwell who was promoted to the Football League refereeing list ahead of the 2007–08 season, officiating his first match on 11 August 2007. https://www.premierleague.com/referees/16960/Stuart-Attwell/overview Referee profile – Stuart Attwell Premier League 17 May 2021 17 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210517094430/https://www.premierleague.com/referees/16960/Stuart-Attwell/overview live Summary thumb|250px|Wembley Stadium after as County celebrate their promotion The match kicked off around 3p.m. on 26 May 2008 at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of 35,715. https://www.11v11.com/matches/rochdale-v-stockport-county-26-may-2008-281346/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 17 May 2021 Rochdale v Stockport County, 26 May 2008 17 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210517104303/https://www.11v11.com/matches/rochdale-v-stockport-county-26-may-2008-281346/ live Both sides had early periods of possession but neither could break the deadlock on a wet surface. Midway through the first half, a Chris Dagnall strike from distance took a deflection and passed just wide of the Stockport County goal. From the ensuing corner, Rory McArdle headed the ball in from close range at the near post to make it 1–0 to Rochdale in the 24th minute. Anthony Pilkington then struck a free kick narrowly wide of Rochdale's goal. In the 34th minute, Tommy Rowe played in a cross from a short corner which Nathan Stanton diverted into his own net for an own goal, to level the score and the sides went in at half-time at 1–1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7416601.stm BBC Sport 17 May 2021 Stockport 3–2 Rochdale Paul Fletcher 26 May 2008 27 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170827221530/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7416601.stm live Rochdale made one change to their side during the interval, with Ben Muirhead coming on to replace Kallum Higginbotham. Four minutes into the second half, Stockport County took the lead once again when Pilkington headed Michael Rose's cross in from around 12 yd after it had bounced off the ground. Gary Jones, the Rochdale captain, then saw his low shot go just wide of the Stockport County goal. Midway through the second half, Pilkington passed to Dickinson who had managed to evade his marker and struck the ball past the Rochdale goalkeeper Tommy Lee to make it 3–1. In the 77th minute, Adam Rundle reduced the deficit when he scored from around 18 yd but no further goals were scored and the match ended 3–2 to Stockport County. Details 26 May 2008 BST Stockport County 3–2 Rochdale (Report) Stanton 34 o.g. Pilkington 49 Dickinson 67 McArdle 24 Rundle 77 Wembley Stadium, London 35,715 Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire) _whitehorizontal _stripes_cut_white _nike_2010_on_white 0000CD 0000CD 0000CD 0000CD 0033CC Stockport County _black_stripes _blackstripescollar _black_stripes ffffff ffffff ffffff ffffff 000000 Rochdale GK 26 Conrad Logan RB 32 James SmithCB 5Gareth Owen (c)CB 23Jimmy McNultyLB 3 Michael RoseDM 8Gary DickerRM 17 Anthony PilkingtonLM 21Tommy RoweCM 19Stephen Gleeson 75CM 28 Paul TurnbullCF 20Liam Dickinson 89Substitutes:DF 16 James TunnicliffeMF 14Leon McSweeney 75 MF 4Jason TaylorMF 10Matty McNeil 89FW 31Adam ProudlockManager:Jim Gannon300px GK 32 Tommy LeeRB 3 Tom KennedyCB 4Nathan Stanton CB 23 Rory McArdle CB 2Simon RamsdenLB 12Nathan D'Laryea 73CM 8Gary Jones (c)CM 11 Adam RundleRF 9 Chris DagnallCF 10 Adam Le Fondre 57LF 18 Kallum Higginbotham 46Substitutes:DF 31Marcus HolnessMF 5John DoolanMF 30Will Buckley 73FW 24 Rene Howe 57FW 7Ben Muirhead 46Manager:Keith Hill Post-match The Stockport County manager Jim Gannon reflected on his young side's success: "I hope that we become a role model for all clubs at this level... Over the past two years we have brought through a group of young players who in the right circumstances, play really good, effective football." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7419214.stm Stockport 3–2 Rochdale (Reaction) 17 May 2021 26 May 2008 BBC Sport His counterpart Keith Hill was gracious in defeat, noting "I think that Stockport deserved it... It could have gone either way and we gave it what we could but the lion's share of possession went to Stockport." Stockport County's following season saw them deducted ten points for entering administration. As a consequence, they ended the season in eighteenth place in the table, three positions and one point above the relegation zone. https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-one/2008-2009/regular-season/r6788/ Soccerway Perform Group 17 May 2021 League One – 2008/2009 – Regular season 11 July 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170711025057/http://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-one/2008-2009/regular-season/r6788/ live In Rochdale's next season, they finished in sixth position and qualified for the 2009 Football League play-offs where they lost 2–1 on aggregate to Gillingham in the semi-final. https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2009/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 17 May 2021 League Two end of season table for 2008–09 season 17 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210517155934/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-two/2009/ live See also 2008 Football League Championship play-off final 2008 Football League One play-off final 2008 Conference Premier play-off final References 3 Category:EFL League Two play-off finals Play-off Final 2008 Play-off Final 2008 Play-off Final Football League Two Play-off Final Football League Two Play-off Final