1991 Football League Third Division play-off final

Association football match June 2017 March 2021 1991 Football League Third Division play-off final Old Wembley Stadium (external view).jpg The match took place at Wembley Stadium. Bolton Wanderers 0 Tranmere Rovers 1 1 June 1991 Wembley Stadium London Keith Hackett (Sheffield) 30,217 Cool 1990 1992 The 1991 Football League Third Division play-off final was an association football match which was played on 1 June 1991 at Wembley Stadium, London, between Tranmere Rovers and Bolton Wanderers. It was to determine the fourth and final team to gain promotion from the Football League Third Division, the third tier of English football, to the Second Division. The top three teams of the 1990–91 Football League Third Division, Cambridge United, Southend United and Grimsby Town, gained automatic promotion, while the teams placed from fourth to seventh place took part in play-off semi-finals; the winners then competed for the final place in the Second Division for the 1991–92 season. Bolton and Tranmere beat Bury and Brentford, respectively, in the semi-finals. The referee for the match, which was played in front of 30,217 spectators, was Keith Hackett. In the 14th minute, Tranmere's Scottish centre forward Jim Steel was injured and substituted for Chris Malkin. The first half ended scoreless despite several close chances for Tranmere, including a disallowed headed goal by Malkin. He hit the crossbar early in the second half but the match ended 0–0 and headed into extra time. Nine minutes into the first period of additional time, Ged Brannan's shot rebounded to Malkin, who scored to put Tranmere ahead. No further goals were scored and the match ended 1–0, with Tranmere being promoted to the Second Division for the first time in 52 years. Tranmere's next season ended with them in fourteenth position in the Second Division. Bolton ended their following season in thirteenth position in the Third Division. Route to the final 1990–91 Football League Third Division main WDL Q right auto Football League Third Division final table, leading positions CAM Cambridge United STD Southend United GRI Grimsby Town BOL Bolton Wanderers TRA Tranmere Rovers BRE Brentford BRY Bury 25 11 10 75 45 26 7 13 67 51 24 11 11 66 34 24 11 11 64 50 23 9 14 64 46 21 13 12 59 47 20 13 13 57 56 complete https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/1991/ 11v11 23 March 2021 League Division Three end of season table for 1990–91 season AFS Enterprises 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074010/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/1991/ live Bolton Wanderers finished the regular 1991–92 season in fourth position in the Football League Third Division, the third tier of the English football league system, one place and five points ahead of Tranmere Rovers. Both therefore missed out on the three automatic places for promotion to the Second Division and instead took part in the play-offs, along with Brentford and Bury, to determine the fourth promoted team. Bolton Wanderers finished level on points with Grimsby Town (who were promoted in third place with a superior goal difference), two points behind Southend United (who were promoted in second) and three behind league winners Cambridge United. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74468662/the-observer/ The Observer 27 March 2021 12 May 1991 Trio on the up and up get their Second chance Newspapers.com John McKeown 42 Bolton's opponents for their play-off semi-final were Bury and the first match of the two-legged tie took place at Gigg Lane in Bury on 19 May 1991. Shortly before half-time, Alan Stubbs fouled Bury's David Lee, conceding a penalty; taking it himself, Lee scored his 16th goal of the season. In the 60th minute, Mark Kearney brought down Bolton's Steve Thompson and Tony Philliskirk scored the subsequent penalty, equalising the score with his 27th goal of the season. The game ended 1–1; Derek Potter of The Guardian suggested that "there could hardly have been a more evenly balanced match". https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74127115/the-guardian/ Bolton keep their balance Newspapers.com The Guardian Derek Potter 20 May 1991 12 24 March 2021 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074011/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74127115/the-guardian/ live The second leg was played three days later at Burnden Park in Bolton. The match was even once again, but Bolton took the lead just before half-time: after Bury failed to clear a corner, Philliskirk struck the ball past Gary Kelly. Both Mark Seagraves and Stuart Storer made goal-line clearances to preserve Bolton's clean sheet and 1–0 win; they progressed to the final with a 2–1 aggregate victory. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74127507/the-guardian/ The Guardian Newspapers.com 24 March 2021 23 May 1991 17 Philliskirk strikes to send Bolton on their way Stephen Bierley 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074008/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74127507/the-guardian/ live Tranmere faced Brentford in their play-off semi-final, with the first leg being held at Griffin Park in Brentford on 19 May 1991. Terry Evans opened the scoring for the home side in the 13th minute before two goals from Steve Cooper gave Tranmere a 2–1 lead. Kevin Godfrey then equalised in the last minute of the game to ensure a 2–2 final result. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/71799333/the-guardian/ Burnley beached as tempers flare at Torquay The Guardian Newspapers.com 22 February 2021 20 May 1991 12 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074002/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/71799333/the-guardian/ live The second leg took place three days later at Prenton Park in Tranmere. Ged Brannan scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute, securing a 1–0 win in the match and a 3–2 aggregate victory. Match Background This was Bolton's third appearance in the play-offs: in 1987 they had been relegated to the Fourth Division when they lost to Aldershot in the semi-finals, and failed to progress to the 1990 final after being defeated by Notts County over two semi-final legs. https://www.fchd.info/BOLTONW.HTM Football Club History Database 23 March 2021 Bolton Wanderers 19 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210119182428/https://www.fchd.info/BOLTONW.HTM live Tranmere were participating in their second play-offs, having also lost to Notts County the previous year, 2–0 in the final. They had been promoted to the Third Division in the 1988–89 season and had not played in the second tier of English football since being relegated in the 1938–39 season. https://www.fchd.info/TRANMERR.HTM Tranmere Rovers Football Club History Database 23 March 2021 1 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201001211709/http://www.fchd.info/TRANMERR.HTM live During the regular season, the sides played one another three times; the first match was in the Football League Trophy in November 1990, where Bolton won 1–0 at Burnden Park. In December the teams played their first league meeting of the season, with Bolton securing a 2–1 home victory, while the return match at Prenton Park the following March ended in a 1–1 draw. https://www.11v11.com/teams/tranmere-rovers/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Bolton%20Wanderers/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 23 March 2021 Tranmere Rovers football club: record v Bolton Wanderers 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074009/https://www.11v11.com/teams/tranmere-rovers/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Bolton%20Wanderers/ live Tranmere had played at Wembley Stadium the previous week when they lost 3–2 to Birmingham City in the Associate Members' Cup Final. https://www.11v11.com/matches/birmingham-city-v-tranmere-rovers-26-may-1991-292087/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 25 March 2021 Birmingham City v Tranmere Rovers, 26 May 1991 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074016/https://www.11v11.com/matches/birmingham-city-v-tranmere-rovers-26-may-1991-292087/ live The referee for the match was Keith Hackett from Sheffield. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74126622/the-guardian/ The Guardian Newspapers.com Russell Thomas 24 March 2021 3 June 1991 14 Malkin ends 52-year exile for Mersey makeweights 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074020/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74126622/the-guardian/ live Bolton played in a 4–4–2 formation while Tranmere adopted a 5–3–2. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A117271599/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=8173562c The Sunday Times Gale 24 March 2021 subscription Malkin's late winner takes Tranmere into Division Two Brian Glanville Brian Glanville 2 June 1991 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074006/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA117271599&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=8173562c live The Tranmere players were incentivised by a £10,000 win bonus from their chairman Peter Johnson, who estimated that promotion to the Second Division would be worth £1million to the club. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19910603/183/0016 British Newspaper Archive Newcastle Journal 25 March 2021 Rovers realise 52-year dream 3 June 1991 16 subscription Their team was at full strength with the exception of Steve Mungall and Ian Muir, who were long-term injured, and Neil McNab, who was receiving treatment for a damaged hamstring; https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19910528/432/0032 British Newspaper Archive 25 March 2021 28 May 1991 Cash boost incentive for Rovers' final aces Liverpool Echo subscription Mark Hughes had sustained a groin injury in the build-up to the final but was selected to start. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19910531/668/0056 Tranmere's final fence Ric George 25 March 2021 31 May 1991 56 subscription British Newspaper Archive Summary The match kicked off around 3p.m. on 1 June 1991 at Wembley Stadium in front of 30,217 spectators in cool conditions. https://www.11v11.com/matches/bolton-wanderers-v-tranmere-rovers-01-june-1991-306883/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 24 March 2021 Bolton Wanderers v Tranmere Rovers, 01 June 1991 4 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210304220534/https://www.11v11.com/matches/bolton-wanderers-v-tranmere-rovers-01-june-1991-306883/ live In the 11th minute, Tranmere's goalkeeper Eric Nixon tipped a cross from Storer over the bar. https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19910603/201/0023 British Newspaper Archive Liverpool Echo subscription 3 June 1991 23 Ric George Ian Muir Kicking every ball – from the sidelines! 25 March 2021 Three minutes later, Tranmere's Scottish centre forward Jim Steel fell badly and was injured: he was taken off and substituted for Chris Malkin. Minutes later, Kenny Irons struck a shot over the Bolton crossbar. Just before half time, Malkin headed in a free kick from John Morrissey, but it was disallowed by Hackett, who adjudged that Tranmere had taken the set piece too quickly. Five minutes after half-time, another header from Malkin, this time from a Tony Thomas free kick, struck the Bolton crossbar. Nixon then saved a strike from Julian Darby. Paul Comstive also missed an opportunity to put Bolton ahead and the match ended 0–0, sending it into extra time. Nine minutes into the first period of additional time, Dave Higgins took control of the ball and passed to Morrissey on the left wing. Morrissey cut inside, beating two Bolton players, and passed to Brannan, who struck the ball goalwards. It rebounded off the legs of Bolton's goalkeeper David Felgate and fell to Malkin, who scored to put Tranmere ahead. Brian Glanville, writing in The Sunday Times declared that "there could scarcely have been a more appropriate scorer". A late shot from Phil Brown was saved by Nixon in the Tranmere goal. No further goals were scored and the match ended 1–0, with Tranmere being promoted to the Second Division for the first time in 52 years. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74126694/the-observer/ The Observer Newspapers.com Malkin sets the stage for triumphant Rovers 2 June 1991 42 Steve Tongue 24 March 2021 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074011/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/74126694/the-observer/ live Details uncollapsed 1 1 June 1991 Bolton Wanderers 0–1 yes Tranmere Rovers Malkin 99 Wembley Stadium, London 30,217 Keith Hackett (Sheffield) 1 David Felgate2 Phil Brown3 Barry Cowdrill4 Paul Comstive5 Mark Seagraves6 Alan Stubbs7 Stuart Storer 1008 Steve Thompson9 Tony Cunningham 6810Tony Philliskirk11Julian DarbySubstitutes:12Scott Green 10013Dave Reeves 68Manager:Phil Neal1 Eric Nixon2 Dave Higgins3 Ged Brannan4 Kenny Irons5 Mark Hughes6 Shaun Garnett7 John Morrissey8 Dave Martindale 749 Jim Steel 1410Steve Cooper11Tony ThomasSubstitutes:12Jim Harvey 7413Chris Malkin 14Manager:Johnny King Post-match After the match, Tranmere's manager John King spoke about plans for the next season: "We have taken giant strides in recent years. We have a wonderful stadium, wonderful fans. Now we must push for the first division... I have never been so proud of my team." https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A116745602/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=STND&xid=67f2e6f0 Gale 25 March 2021 Wembley victory is King's reward The Times 3 June 1991 Keith Blackmore subscription 27 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210327074014/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA116745602&v=2.1&it=r&sid=STND&asid=67f2e6f0 live David Prentice, writing in the Liverpool Echo, remarked that "Rovers ran Bolton ragged". https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000271/19910603/199/0022 Liverpool Echo 25 March 2021 3 June 1991 22 subscription British Newspaper Archive Magical show fit for a King David Prentice Tranmere's next season ended with them in fourteenth position in the Second Division. https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-two/1992/ 11v11 23 March 2021 League Division Two end of season table for 1991–92 season AFS Enterprises Bolton ended their following season in thirteenth position in the Third Division. https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-three/1992/ 11v11 23 March 2021 League Division Three end of season table for 1991–92 season AFS Enterprises References 3 Category:Football League Third Division play-off finals Category:EFL League One play-off finals Play-off Final 1991 Play-off Final 1991 Football League Third Division play-off final Football League Third Division play-off final