1997 Football League Third Division play-off final

Association football match November 2017 June 2021 1997 Football League Third Division play-off final Old Wembley Stadium (external view).jpg 200 Northampton Town 1 Swansea City 0 24 May 1997 Wembley Stadium London Terry Heilbron (Newton Aycliffe) 46,804 1996 1998 The 1997 Football League Third Division play-off final was an association football match which was played on 24 May 1997 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Northampton Town and Swansea City to determine the fourth and final team to gain promotion from the Football League Third Division to the Second Division. The top three teams of the 1996–97 Football League Third Division, Carlisle United, Fulham and league winners Wigan Athletic, gained automatic promotion to the Second Division, while the teams 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 1997–98 season in the Second Division. The losing semi-finalists were Chester City and Cardiff City. The match, refereed by Terry Heilbron, was played in front of 46,804 supporters. In a goalless first half, Carl Heggs came close to scoring with a volley which Andy Woodman, the Northampton Town goalkeeper, saved. Late in the second half, Northampton Town were awarded a free kick which John Frain struck against the Swansea wall, but the referee ordered it be re-taken. On the second attempt, Frain scored to give his side a 1–0 victory and promotion to the Second Division. In their next season, Northampton Town finished in fourth place in the Second Division to qualify for the play-offs. There, they lost 1–0 to Grimsby Town in the 1998 Football League Second Division play-off final. Swansea City ended their following season in 21st position in the Third Division. Route to the final 1996–97 Football League main WDL Q right auto Football League Third Division final table, leading positions WIG Wigan Athletic FUL Fulham CRL Carlisle United NOR Northampton Town SWA Swansea City CHE Chester City CAR Cardiff City 26 9 11 84 51 25 12 9 72 38 24 12 10 67 44 20 12 14 67 44 21 8 17 62 58 18 16 12 55 43 20 9 17 57 55 complete https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-3/1997/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 7 June 2021 League Division Three end of season table for 1996–97 season 31 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200831154929/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-3/1997/ live Northampton Town finished the regular 1996–97 season in fourth position in the Football League Third Division, the fourth tier of the English football league system, one place and one point ahead of Swansea City. Both therefore missed out on the three automatic places for promotion to the Second Division and instead took part in the play-offs to determine the fourth promoted team. Northampton Town finished twelve points behind Carlisle United (who were promoted in third place), and fifteen behind second-placed Fulham and league winners Wigan Athletic (who had superior goal difference to Fulham). In their play-off semi-final, Northampton Town faced Cardiff City, with the first match of the two-legged tie taking place at Ninian Park in Cardiff on 11 May 1997. https://www.11v11.com/matches/cardiff-city-v-northampton-town-11-may-1997-307097/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 8 June 2021 Cardiff City v Northampton Town, 11 May 1997 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213553/https://www.11v11.com/matches/cardiff-city-v-northampton-town-11-may-1997-307097/ live After a goalless first half, Northampton Town were reduced to ten players when Mark Cooper was sent off for violent conduct with 20 minutes of the match remaining. Seven minutes later, Sean Parrish scored with a lob from the edge of the Cardiff City penalty area to give Northampton Town a 1–0 victory. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/79140466/the-guardian/ The Guardian Newspapers.com 7 June 2021 12 May 1997 Parrish pumps up final hope 24 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213554/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/79140466/the-guardian/ live The second leg was held at Sixfields Stadium in Northampton three days later. https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-cardiff-city-14-may-1997-307098/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 8 June 2021 Northampton Town v Cardiff City, 14 May 1997 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213554/https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-cardiff-city-14-may-1997-307098/ live Ian Sampson put Northampton Town ahead midway through the first half with a header and three minutes later, Cardiff's Jeff Eckhardt was sent off for the use of an elbow. Jason Fowler scored for Cardiff in the 36th minute before goals from Ray Warburton and John Gayle made it 3–1. Simon Haworth scored a late goal for Cardiff but the match ended 3–2 to Northampton Town who progressed to the final with a 4–2 aggregate victory. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A67019520/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=0d1dfcab Gale subscription 7 June 2021 Cobblers to meet Swansea The Independent 29 15 May 1997 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213555/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA67019520&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=0d1dfcab live Swansea City's opposition in their play-off semi-final was Chester City with the first leg being held at the Deva Stadium in Chester on 11 May 1997. https://www.11v11.com/matches/chester-city-v-swansea-city-11-may-1997-307099/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 8 June 2021 Chester City v Swansea City, 11 May 1997 30 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210130031325/https://www.11v11.com/matches/chester-city-v-swansea-city-11-may-1997-307099/ live The match was ill-disciplined with nine players being booked. David Flitcroft had a goal disallowed for offside and the match ended in a 0–0 draw. The second leg took place at Vetch Field in Swansea three days later. https://www.11v11.com/matches/swansea-city-v-chester-city-14-may-1997-307100/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 8 June 2021 Swansea City v Chester City, 14 May 1997 31 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210131084521/https://www.11v11.com/matches/swansea-city-v-chester-city-14-may-1997-307100/ live In the eighth minute, Swansea's defender Steve Jones broke his right leg and was taken away in an ambulance, shortly before Chester's Chris Priest was dismissed for two yellow cards. Swansea scored twice in first-half stoppage time, with goals from Dave Thomas and Steve Torpey. Carl Heggs extended Swansea's lead when he scored with a left-footed volley in the 62nd minute, and the match ended 3–0, with the Welsh team progressing to the final with the same aggregate score. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A59899365/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=83195502 Gale subscription 7 June 2021 Swansea battle for return ticket The Times 42 15 May 1997 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213632/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA59899365&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=83195502 live Match Background This was Swansea City's second appearance in a play-off final, having won the 1988 Football League Fourth Division play-off final 5–4 on aggregate against Torquay United. They had played in the fourth tier of English football since being relegated in the 1989–90 season. https://www.fchd.info/SWANSEAC.HTM Swansea City Football Club History Database 28 June 2021 It was their second competitive match at Wembley Stadium, having made their debut at the national stadium three years before where they won the 1994 Football League Trophy Final in a penalty shoot-out against Huddersfield Town. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/story-swansea-citys-1994-wembley-14379334 Wales Online Media Wales 8 June 2021 The story of Swansea City's 1994 Wembley triumph and why they were booed off just two days after winning the cup Andrew Gwilym 8 March 2018 9 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201109030700/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/story-swansea-citys-1994-wembley-14379334 live Northampton Town were appearing in the first play-off final in their history, and had also played in the fourth tier since suffering relegation in the 1989–90 season. https://www.fchd.info/NORTHAMT.HTM Northampton Town Football Club History Database 8 June 2021 21 December 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201221094950/https://www.fchd.info/NORTHAMT.HTM live It was also their first match at the national stadium. https://www.ntfc.co.uk/club/club-history/ Northampton Town F.C. 8 June 2021 Club history 11 March 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170311131236/http://www.ntfc.co.uk/club/history/ live In the two matches between the sides during the regular season, Swansea City won both: a 1–0 victory at Vetch Field in November 1996 was followed by a 2–1 win at Sixfields the following February. https://www.11v11.com/teams/swansea-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Northampton%20Town/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 8 June 2021 Swansea City football club: record v Northampton Town 18 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160318004553/http://www.11v11.com/teams/swansea-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Northampton%20Town/ live Dave Penney was Swansea City's top scorer during the regular season with 13 goals (all in the league). https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2513&teamTabs=stats&season_id=126 Soccerbase Centurycomm 8 June 2021 Swansea squad details – 1996/97 – Player Appearances 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213556/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2513&teamTabs=stats&season_id=126 live Northampton Town's leading scorer was Neil Grayson who had scored 12 league goals during the season. https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1867&teamTabs=stats&season_id=126 Soccerbase Centurycomm 8 June 2021 Northampton squad details – 1996/97 – Player Appearances 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213557/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1867&teamTabs=stats&season_id=126 live The referee for the match was Terry Heilbron from Newton Aycliffe. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/79191165/the-guardian/ Newspapers.com The Guardian Re-Frain is Simply the Best on a day of Cobblers galore Matthew Engel 26 May 1997 23 8 June 2021 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213556/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/79191165/the-guardian/ live Summary The match kicked off around 3p.m. on 24 May 1997 at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of 46,804. https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-swansea-city-24-may-1997-307101/ 11v11 8 June 2021 AFS Enterprises Northampton Town v Swansea City, 24 May 1997 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213557/https://www.11v11.com/matches/northampton-town-v-swansea-city-24-may-1997-307101/ live Five minutes into the match, a volley from Swansea's Heggs was tipped over the crossbar by Andy Woodman, the Northampton Town goalkeeper. In the 25th minute, Jan Mølby conceded possession to Northampton's Grayson who passed to Parrish, but Christian Edwards blocked his shot. Early in the second half, John Frain crossed for Christian Lee but his header was off-target. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A67017882/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=98b1df5c Independent on Sunday 8 June 2021 Gale subscription S23 Norman Fox 25 May 1997 Swansea run over by Frain 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213559/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA67017882&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=98b1df5c live Later in the half, Frain crossed for Gayle whose header just clipped the Swansea crossbar. Soon after, Northampton Town were awarded a free kick on the edge of the Swansea penalty area. Frain struck the ball into the wall but the referee adjudged that the defenders had encroached and ordered the free kick be retaken. On the second attempt, and in second-half stoppage time, Frain's shot found its way into the back of the Swansea goal, giving Northampton a 1–0 lead which they held onto for the last seconds to secure victory and promotion to the Second Division. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A67017728/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=fbfbca47 Gale 8 June 2021 Northampton sing a joyous refrain The Independent 26 May 1997 S6 subscription 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213558/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA67017728&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=fbfbca47 live Details 24 May 1997 15:00 BST Northampton Town 1–0 Swansea City Report Frain 90 Wembley Stadium, London 46,804 Terry Heilbron 800000 800000 800000 Northampton Town 000000 000000 Swansea City GK 1 Andy WoodmanCB 6David Rennie 40CB 5 Ray WarburtonCB 4 Ian SampsonRWB 2 Ian Clarkson LWB 3 John FrainCM 11Roy Hunter CM 7Sean ParrishFW 10 Christian Lee FW 9John Gayle 76FW 8 Neil Grayson Substitutes:MF 27Dean Peer 40MF 14 Ali GibbFW 12Jason White 76Manager:Ian Atkins GK 1 Roger FreestoneDF 8 Dave PenneyDF 5 Christian EdwardsDF 4 Keith WalkerDF 3 João MoreiraMF 6 Kwame Ampadu MF 10 Jan MølbyMF 11Jonathan Coates FW 9Steve TorpeyFW 7 Carl HeggsFW 2Dai Thomas 83Substitutes:FW 12Linton Brown 83MF 15 Shaun ChappleDF 14 Ryan CaseyManager:Jan Mølby Post-match Swansea City's player-manager Mølby was critical of the referee's decision to allow the decisive free kick to be retaken, suggesting "if they hadn't scored from the second [free kick], the referee would have let them take it again... There is no crueller way to lose at Wembley than that." https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/79191788/the-observer/ The Observer Newspapers.com 8 June 2021 Frain breaks Swansea hearts Ian Gibb 25 May 1997 55 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213558/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/79191788/the-observer/ live Winning goalscorer Frain was elated, recounting that "six months ago I was rotting away in Birmingham's reserves. Now I've scored a last minute winner at Wembley, the stuff you dream about when you are kicking a ball in a park as a little kid." Northampton Town's manager Ian Atkins reflected on his club's recent history, noting "The club was in a state of despair when I arrived and we have gone through a lot in recent years" but that now the "whole town has gone barmy!" https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A59908240/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=44ac7063 Gale subscription Frain's stirring finale gives Cobblers a lift The Sunday Times Kevin Connolly 8 June 2021 2 25 May 1997 8 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210608213602/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA59908240&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=44ac7063 live In their next season, Northampton Town finished in fourth place in the Second Division to qualify for the play-offs. There, they lost 1–0 to Grimsby Town in the 1998 Football League Second Division play-off final. https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-2/1998/ AFS Enterprises 11v11 8 June 2021 League Division 2 end of season table for 1997–98 season Mølby was dismissed from his position the following October with his side fifth from bottom. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-sacked-molby-s-parting-shot-1234853.html The Independent 8 June 2021 Football: Sacked Molby's parting shot Nick Duxbury 8 October 1997 registration Micky Adams replaced Mølby temporarily and two weeks later Alan Cork was appointed as the full-time manager: https://www.swanseacity.com/news/classic-seasons-1998-99 Swansea City A.F.C. 8 June 2021 Classic seasons: 1998–99 he led Swansea to 21st position in the Third Division that season. https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-3/1998/ AFS Enterprises 11v11 8 June 2021 League Division 3 end of season table for 1997–98 season 7 September 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180907032412/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-3/1998/ live References play Category:Football League Third Division play-off finals Category:EFL League Two play-off finals Play-off Final 1997 Play-off Final 1997 Tro Category:1997 Football League play-offs Football League Third Division play-off final Football Third Fourth Division play-off final