2001 Football League First Division play-off final

Association football match in Cardiff, UK February 2021 2001 Football League First Division play-off final Principality Stadium May 3, 2016.jpg The match was played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The Millennium Stadium Bolton Wanderers 3 Preston North End 0 28 May 2001 Millennium Stadium Cardiff Uriah Rennie (Sheffield) 54,328 2000 2002 The 2001 Football League First Division play-off final was an association football match which was played on 28 May 2001 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, between Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End. The match was to determine the third and final team to gain promotion from the Football League First Division, the second tier of English football, to the Premier League. The top two teams of the 2000–01 Football League First Division season gained automatic promotion to the Premier League, while the clubs placed from third to sixth position in the table took part in play-off semi-finals; Bolton Wanderers ended the season in third position while Preston North End finished fourth. The winners of these semi-finals competed for the final place for the 2001–02 season in the Premier League. Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion were the losing semi-finalists. Winning the final was estimated by the UK media to be worth up to £30million to the successful team. Played in front of a crowd of 54,328, the 2001 final was refereed by Uriah Rennie. Bolton took an early lead through Gareth Farrelly with a shot from outside the Preston penalty area. Second-half substitute Michael Ricketts doubled their lead late in the second half before Ricardo Gardner scored a third when he ran from inside his own half and shot past David Lucas in the Preston goal. The match ended 3–0 and saw Bolton promoted to the Premier League after a three-year absence. Despite being favourites for relegation in their following season, Bolton finished sixteenth in the Premier League, two places above the relegation zone. Preston ended their next campaign in eighth place in the First Division, two places below the 2002 Football League play-offs. Route to the final 2000–01 Football League main WDL Q right auto Football League First Division final table, leading positions FUL Fulham BLB Blackburn Rovers BOL Bolton Wanderers PNE Preston North End BIR Birmingham City WBA West Bromwich Albion 30 11 5 90 32 26 13 7 76 39 24 15 7 76 45 23 9 14 64 52 23 9 14 59 48 21 11 14 60 52 complete https://int.soccerway.com/national/england/championship/2000-2001/regular-season Soccerway 18 October 2020 Championship – 2000/2001 – Regular season 5 March 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130305111352/http://int.soccerway.com/national/england/championship/2000-2001/regular-season/ live Bolton Wanderers finished the regular 2000–01 season in third place in the Football League First Division, the second tier of the English football league system, one place and nine points ahead of Preston North End. 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 Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, to determine the third promoted team. Bolton finished four points behind Blackburn Rovers (who were promoted in second place) and fourteen behind league winners Fulham. Preston faced Birmingham City in their play-off semi-final, with the first match of the two-legged tie taking part at St Andrew's in Birmingham on 13 May 2001. After a goalless first half in which Birmingham's Marcelo hit the Preston crossbar, Nicky Eaden put the home side ahead in the 54th minute. David Healy's strike 20 minutes later was saved by Ian Bennett in Birmingham's goal, while Darren Purse's late header went wide from 6 yd ensuring the game ended 1–0 to Birmingham. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1325161.stm Blues earn slender lead over Preston 13 May 2001 18 October 2020 BBC Sport 2 November 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20021102041454/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1325161.stm live The second leg of the semi-final was played four days later at Preston's Deepdale. Midway through the first half, Healy's strike high into the Birmingham net levelled the aggregate score. Five minutes into the second half, Danny Sonner's header struck the home side's crossbar and in the 59th minute, Geoff Horsfield gave Birmingham the lead overall when he converted a cross from Stan Lazaridis at the far post. Preston were awarded a penalty in the 78th minute after a Sonner handball, but Graham Alexander's spot-kick hit the bar. A late shot from Lazaridis rolled along Preston's goal line before Birmingham conceded an injury-time goal from Mark Rankine to make it 2–2 on aggregate and send the match into extra time. No goals were scored during the additional period, so a penalty shootout decided the match: Marcelo and Purse both missed their spot-kicks for Birmingham and although Preston's Rob Edwards saw his effort also go awry, Paul McKenna's converted shot ensured Preston won the shootout 4–2 to progress to the final. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1334415.stm 17 May 2001 Preston shock Blues in shoot-out BBC Sport 18 October 2020 28 July 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030728082337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1334415.stm live Bolton's opponents were West Bromwich Albion and the first leg of their play-off semi-final was hosted at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich on 13 May 2001. West Bromwich Albion dominated most of the match but it was not until a minute before half time that they took the lead with a goal from Jason Roberts who ran onto a Richard Sneekes pass and struck the ball past Matt Clarke in the Bolton goal. Ten minutes into the second half, Colin Hendry brought Roberts down and conceded a penalty which was converted by Lee Hughes to make it 2–0 to West Bromwich Albion. With less than ten minutes remaining, Guðni Bergsson scored with a header from Bo Hansen's corner to reduce the deficit. In the 88th minute, West Bromwich Albion's Tony Butler fouled Hansen to concede a penalty which was converted by Per Frandsen, and the match ended 2–2. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1325158.stm Bolton battle back at West Brom 13 May 2001 18 October 2020 BBC Sport 28 July 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030728075137/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1325158.stm live https://www.11v11.com/matches/west-bromwich-albion-v-bolton-wanderers-13-may-2001-7141/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 18 October 2020 West Bromwich Albion v Bolton Wanderers, 13 May 2001 8 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200708213300/https://www.11v11.com/matches/west-bromwich-albion-v-bolton-wanderers-13-may-2001-7141/ live The return leg of the semi-final was played four days later at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton. Bergsson opened the scoring for the home side after ten minutes, converting a free kick from Simon Charlton. In the 63rd minute, Ricardo Gardner doubled Bolton's lead on the day with a goal after running on to a pass from Anthony Barness. A last-minute goal from Michael Ricketts secured Bolton a 3–0 victory, and a 5–2 aggregate win and progression to the final. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1334714.stm 17 May 2001 18 October 2020 BBC Sport Bolton breeze past Baggies Match Background right|thumb|alt=Jon Macken|Jon Macken (pictured in 2007) was Preston North End's top league goalscorer. The 2001 Football League First Division play-off final was Bolton's third appearance in the second tier play-off final: they had lost 2–0 in the 1999 final at Wembley Stadium against Watford and had defeated Reading 4–3 after extra time in the 1995 final. They had also lost to Ipswich Town 7–5 on aggregate in the previous season's play-offs. 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 3 May 2020 Play-Off Final History & Stats https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/752932.stm Magic Magilton gives Ipswich glory BBC Sport 17 May 2000 18 October 2020 4 March 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030304152659/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/752932.stm live Preston were making their first appearance in the second tier play-off final, although they had lost 4–2 at Wembley against Wycombe Wanderers in the 1994 Third Division play-off final. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-play-offs-happy-wanderers-go-proudly-about-business-preston-overhauled-after-taking-half-1439517.html The Independent 18 October 2020 30 May 1994 Football Play-Offs: Happy Wanderers go proudly about business: Preston overhauled after taking half-time lead Mike Rowbottom 28 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201028124332/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-play-offs-happy-wanderers-go-proudly-about-business-preston-overhauled-after-taking-half-1439517.html live Jon Macken was Preston's top scorer in the league throughout the regular season with 19 goals, while Ricketts was Bolton's leading marksman, also with 19. https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=150 Football League First Division – 2000/01 Soccerbase Centurycomm 18 October 2020 12 February 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190212080521/https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=150 live Bolton had last played in the top tier in the 1997–98 season when they were relegated on goal difference. https://www.fchd.info/BOLTONW.HTM Football Club History Database Bolton Wanderers 18 October 2020 19 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201019095550/http://www.fchd.info/BOLTONW.HTM live Preston had not featured in the highest division in English football since their relegation in the 1960–61 season. https://www.fchd.info/PRESTONE.HTM Football Club History Database 18 October 2020 Preston North End 23 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201023035558/http://www.fchd.info/PRESTONE.HTM live This was the culmination of their first season back in the First Division, having been promoted from the Second Division the previous season. In the regular season, Bolton won both matches between the teams, with a 2–0 victory at home in August 2000 and a win by the same scoreline on New Year's Day in 2001. https://www.11v11.com/teams/bolton-wanderers/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Preston%20North%20End/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 18 October 2020 Bolton Wanderers football club: record v Preston North End 18 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201018182036/https://www.11v11.com/teams/bolton-wanderers/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Preston%20North%20End/ live The referee for the match was Uriah Rennie representing the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association. Prior to the final, former Preston player Mark Lawrenson noted: "If we go up it will be a great boost. And even if we go straight down again, we'll still get half the Premiership TV money for two years afterwards". https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002321/20010527/553/0056 Sunday Tribune British Newspaper Archive 19 October 2020 27 May 2001 A victory for tradition Eamonn McCann Eamonn McCann 56 subscription Eamonn McCann, writing in the Sunday Tribune, called the fixture "a victory for tradition", suggesting it would be a "rare and relaxed experience for faithful lovers of football". The Bolton manager Sam Allardyce suggested his team's experience would stand them in good stead for the final: "I hope we can draw on our experience... If we can do that then we have a fantastic chance of getting the victory we want".Gaunt Ken Dad's Army on the verge of greatness https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/dads-army-on-the-verge-of-greatness-26088193.html 26 October 2020 Irish Independent 28 May 2001 31 en His side's supporters were allocated the Canton End of the Millennium Stadium which had hosted fans of every winning side during the period when the play-off finals were played there as a substitute location for Wembley Stadium between 2001 and 2006. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A75067242/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=8f21d71d Gale 23 June 2021 Allardyce aims to complete his ambitions John Ley The Daily Telegraph 28 May 2001 subscription 23 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210623120626/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA75067242&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=8f21d71d live https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33215755 Champions League: Millennium Stadium to host 2017 final BBC Sport 5 July 2021 30 June 2015 24 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210524163020/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33215755 live Bolton's Paul Warhurst had recovered from a hamstring injury and was available for selection. Preston's manager David Moyes was expecting the return of three injured players in Rankine, Michael Jackson and Richard Cresswell. According to the UK media, victory in the final was expected to be worth around £30million to the winning team. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/3006310/Division-One-Play-Off-final-Bolton-seal-return-to-Premiership.html The Daily Telegraph 19 October 2020 28 May 2001 Division One Play-Off final: Bolton seal return to Premiership subscription 6 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191206103349/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/3006310/Division-One-Play-Off-final-Bolton-seal-return-to-Premiership.html live The presidents of both clubs, Tom Finney and Nat Lofthouse, were in attendance to watch the match. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A75078319/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=0e0e0e93 Gale subscription 29 May 2001 23 June 2021 The Daily Telegraph Bolton back in big time John Ley 2 23 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210623120711/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA75078319&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=0e0e0e93 live Summary Bolton kicked off the match at 3p.m. on 28 May 2001 in front of a Millennium Stadium crowd of 54,328. On five minutes, the first chance fell to Preston's Macken whose header from a Healy cross was straight at Clarke in the Bolton goal. Four minutes later, a Lee Cartwright cross found Healy at the near post but the opportunity was blocked by Hendry. Preston then had two successive corners, both cleared, before Bolton took the lead in the 16th minute. A long free kick was poorly cleared and allowed Gareth Farrelly to shoot from just outside the Preston penalty area, past David Lucas, to make it 1–0. Lucas then saved a Dean Holdsworth chance before a Bergsson header at the far post went over the goal. Bolton's domination of the game continued, and in the 32nd minute, Gardner's shot across goal was saved by Lucas. Eight minutes later, a low cross from Farrelly into the box was cleared by Preston's defence. With two minutes of the first half remaining, a mistake from Alexander allowed Hansen to take a snap shot which passed just over the Preston crossbar. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356039.stm Clockwatch: Bolton 3–0 Preston BBC Sport 19 October 2020 28 May 2001 24 December 2002 https://web.archive.org/web/20021224082904/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356039.stm live https://www.11v11.com/matches/bolton-wanderers-v-preston-north-end-28-may-2001-7326/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 19 October 2020 Bolton Wanderers v Preston North End, 28 May 2001 18 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201018152251/https://www.11v11.com/matches/bolton-wanderers-v-preston-north-end-28-may-2001-7326/ live right|alt=Michael Ricketts|thumb|Michael Ricketts (pictured in 2007) scored Bolton's second goal in the play-off final. Neither side made any changes during the half-time interval and Preston kicked off the second half. Two minutes in, Holdsworth made a run down the right and passed to Barness whose shot was too high. A minute later, a weak effort from Rankine was easily saved by Clarke. Preston began to exert pressure on Bolton with Healy in particular causing problems. In the 62nd minute, Farrelly passed to Holdsworth whose shot into the bottom left-hand corner was saved by Lucas. Three minutes later, an effort from Rankine went wide of the Bolton goal. Preston then made the first substitution of the game, with Iain Anderson coming on to replace Cartwright. In the 68th minute, Healy was denied by Clarke in the Bolton goal with a save low to his left. Bolton made their first change in the 70th minute, Hansen being substituted for Ricketts, with Allardyce changing his team's formation to a more defensive 4–4–2 from 4–3–3. Nine minutes later, Robbie Elliott came on in place of Frandsen for Bolton and in the 82nd minute, Preston made their second substitution, with Cresswell replacing McKenna. Two minutes later Clarke punched away a Healy cross to concede a corner from which Cresswell failed to capitalise from close range on a missed clearance. On 86 minutes, Ricketts hit the side netting with a shot and Preston responded with Sean Gregan striking over the Bolton bar. In the 89th minute, Ricketts doubled Bolton's lead, taking the ball from Farrelly, rounding the goalkeeper and passing into an empty net. In the first minute of injury time, Mike Whitlow came on for Bolton to replace Holdsworth, before Gardner increased their lead. He dispossessed Alexander in the Bolton half, went past a tiring Colin Murdock, and scored, making it 3–0 and securing Bolton's promotion to the Premier League. Details 28 May 2001 15:00 BST Bolton Wanderers 3–0 https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1352181.stm BBC Sport 19 October 2020 Brilliant Bolton seal Premiership return 28 May 2001 20 April 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030420091052/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1352181.stm live Preston North End Farrelly 17Ricketts 89Gardner 90 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff 54,328 Uriah Rennie (Sheffield) _bolton2001playoff _bolton2001playoff _bolton2001playoff _bolton2001playoff _bolton2001playoff 99CCFF 99CCFF 99CCFF 99CCFF 2e2b37 Bolton Wanderers _preston2001playoff _preston2001playoff FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Preston North End Bolton Wanderers: GK 21 ENG Matt ClarkeRB 24 ENG Anthony BarnessCB 4 ISL Guðni BergssonCB 30 SCO Colin HendryLB 25 ENG Simon CharltonRM 15 ENG Kevin NolanCM 8 DEN Per Frandsen 79CM 14 IRL Gareth FarrellyLM 11 JAM Ricardo GardnerCF 10 ENG Dean Holdsworth 89CF 9 DEN Bo Hansen 70Substitutes:MF 7 ENG Robbie Elliott 79DF 3 ENG Mike Whitlow 89FW 17 ENG Michael Ricketts 70GK 1 ENG Steve BanksDF 28 ENG Ian MarshallManager:ENG Sam AllardycePreston North End: GK 1 ENG David LucasRB 2 SCO Graham AlexanderCB 14 NIR Colin MurdockCB 4 ENG Ryan KiddLB 15 WAL Rob EdwardsRM 7 ENG Lee CartwrightCM 8 ENG Mark RankineCM 6 ENG Sean GreganLM 16 ENG Paul McKenna 82CF 11 NIR David HealyCF 17 ENG Jon Macken 66Substitutes:FW 25 ENG Richard Cresswell 82MF 31 SCO Iain Anderson 66GK 21 FIN Tepi MoilanenDF 5 ENG Michael JacksonMF 28 IRL Brian Barry-MurphyManager:SCO David Moyes Post-match Allardyce, the winning manager, was elated: "I can't quite put what I feel into words... I feel like the world has come off my shoulders. It is a phenomenal achievement." https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/29/match.sport 29 May 2001 Bolton strike it rich in field of dreams Martin Thorpe 19 October 2020 The Guardian 9 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140509232244/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/may/29/match.sport live Reflecting on his side's defensive competence, he continued: "I think that's our 20th clean sheet of the season and that's the secret of our success – soaking up the pressure and hitting them on the break". Moyes agreed with his counterpart's pre-match assessment: "The difference was experience... I hope we'll learn from it and come back again". He continued: "When you lose the last game of the season you think the season has been a failure – but it's been a wonderful season". https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356354.stm Moyes: Experience the key 28 May 2001 BBC Sport 26 October 2020 28 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201028124403/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356354.stm live He conceded that Bolton had deserved the victory, noting "I was happy to go in at the interval only one down... I don't think it was stage fright, we just kept giving the ball away." https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A75077177/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=6e0021f8 The Independent 24 23 June 2021 Steve Tongue 29 May 2001 Bolton bounce back to big time; Bolton Wanderers 3 Preston North End 0: Ricketts maintains prolific goalscoring run to seal Wanderers' return to Premiership as Preston are outclassed Gale subscription 23 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210623120629/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA75077177&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=6e0021f8 live The Guardian reported that Holdsworth was the man of the match. Farrelly, whose goal for Everton condemned Bolton to relegation three years prior, was relieved: "I was so delighted to see that goal go in. I got the goal that sent them down three years ago, and it is fair to say it has been mentioned since I signed". https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356291.stm Bolton's Farrelly is forgiven 29 May 2001 19 October 2020 BBC Sport 28 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201028124334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356291.stm live Lofthouse, described by the BBC as a "Bolton legend" said: "They played great, those lads, they were first class, every one of them... It's the proudest moment – though there's one moment that beats it and that's when we won the FA Cup in '58." https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356393.stm Lofthouse toasts North-West revival 28 May 2001 19 October 2020 BBC Sport 28 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201028124333/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356393.stm live Bookmakers immediately made Bolton favourites to be relegated from the Premier League the following season. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356177.stm BBC Sport 19 October 2020 28 May 2001 Stuart Roach Trotters gearing up for big business 18 June 2003 https://web.archive.org/web/20030618071040/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1356177.stm live Bolton's Bergsson had intended to retire at the end of the season to follow a legal career in Iceland, but after securing promotion his postponed this decision, and went on to make 30 Premier League appearances the next season. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bergsson-urged-not-to-retire-yet-1141736 Manchester Evening News Bergsson urged not to retire yet 12 January 2013 23 June 2021 23 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210623120634/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bergsson-urged-not-to-retire-yet-1141736 live https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=354&teamTabs=stats&season_id=131 Soccerbase Centurycomm 5 July 2021 Bolton squad details – 2001/02 – Player appearances 5 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210705182845/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=354&teamTabs=stats&season_id=131 live In their following season, Bolton finished sixteenth in the Premier League, two places and four points above the relegation zone. https://www.11v11.com/teams/bolton-wanderers/tab/leagueTables/2002/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 19 October 2020 Premier League table at close of 2001–02 season 19 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201019040828/https://www.11v11.com/teams/bolton-wanderers/tab/leagueTables/2002/ live Moyes left Preston in March 2002 to join Premier League club Everton and was replaced on an interim basis by Kelham O'Hanlon before Craig Brown was appointed the following month. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/apr/29/newsstory.sport2 The Guardian 23 June 2021 Preston appoint Craig Brown 29 April 2002 13 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140613115711/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/apr/29/newsstory.sport2 live Preston ended their next campaign in eighth place in the First Division, two places and three points below the play-offs. https://www.11v11.com/teams/preston-north-end/tab/leagueTables/2002/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 19 October 2020 League Division 1 table at close of 2001–02 season 19 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201019055619/https://www.11v11.com/teams/preston-north-end/tab/leagueTables/2002/ live References 1 Category:EFL Championship play-off finals Play-off Final 2001 Play-off Final 2001 Football League First Division play-off final Category:Football finals in Wales