1997 Football League First Division play-off Final
Encyclopedia
The 1997 Football League First Division play-off Final was a football match played at Wembley Stadium, London
on May 26 1997 at the end of the 1996–97 season. The match determined the third and final team to gain promotion
from First Division
to the Premiership, and was contested by Crystal Palace
, who finished sixth during the league season, and Sheffield United
, who finished fifth. The teams reached the final by defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers
and Ipswich Town
respectively in the two-legged semi-finals.
were anxious in the first few minutes, but slowly took superior ground. David Hopkin
who was outstanding throughout the season and targeted by a bunch of top clubs, pressed a flourish of attacks. Palace's powerful striker Bruce Dyer
hit a shot which forced United keeper Simon Tracey
to grab hold of the ball low by the far post after 15 minutes. The Blades’ defence held positively, mainly David Holdsworth
, who is eager to join his brother Dean of Wimbledon
in the Premiership. The Yorkshiremen were forced to change their tactics and their system when Don Hutchison
was picked up an injury almost on half-time with a suspected broken collarbone. The Blades, after winning just two first half corners, returned with new enthusiasm and inside 20 minutes were into double figures with set-pieces. And it was from there that they were most dangerous, with Jan Åge Fjørtoft
winning the flick-ons. Palace captain Hopkin was never far from the action, and was wonderfully helped by Kevin Muscat
, Simon Rodger
and Andy Roberts
. In attack, Dyer was sharp down the wings, his influential pace setting United's alarm bells ringing. But just as it seemed United were winning on points defensively, Palace all of a sudden found new life. As the seconds clicked away, they forced a corner. Rodger pushed it short to Roberts, whose cross was handled well only for Hopkin to snatch on to the loose ball and, from the edge of the penalty area, curled home a shot that totally surprised Tracey in the Sheffield United goal.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
on May 26 1997 at the end of the 1996–97 season. The match determined the third and final team to gain promotion
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
from First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
to the Premiership, and was contested by Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, who finished sixth during the league season, and Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, who finished fifth. The teams reached the final by defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
respectively in the two-legged semi-finals.
Summary
Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
were anxious in the first few minutes, but slowly took superior ground. David Hopkin
David Hopkin
David Hopkin is a Scottish former professional football player who is assistant manager at .-Club career:Hopkin started his career at Morton before earning a move to Premier League side Chelsea in 1992...
who was outstanding throughout the season and targeted by a bunch of top clubs, pressed a flourish of attacks. Palace's powerful striker Bruce Dyer
Bruce Dyer
Bruce Antonio Dyer is an English former footballer who played as a striker.His career started in 1993 with Watford, before he became the country's first £1 million-teenager when he joined Crystal Palace in 1994. He spent five years with Palace, playing more than 100 games, and then another...
hit a shot which forced United keeper Simon Tracey
Simon Tracey
Simon Peter Tracey is an English former professional football player who played as a goalkeeper. He is now goalkeeping coach at Barnsley.Playing Career=...
to grab hold of the ball low by the far post after 15 minutes. The Blades’ defence held positively, mainly David Holdsworth
David Holdsworth
David Gary Holdsworth is an English former footballer who is the current manager of Lincoln City.-Playing career:He played as a centre back for Watford, Sheffield United, Birmingham City, Walsall, Bolton Wanderers, Scarborough and Gretna, and was capped once for England at Under-21 level...
, who is eager to join his brother Dean of Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
in the Premiership. The Yorkshiremen were forced to change their tactics and their system when Don Hutchison
Don Hutchison
Donald Hutchison is a Scottish ex-footballer who generally played in midfield but sometimes as a forward. He was a much travelled player with spells at both Liverpool and Everton as well as Sheffield United, Sunderland and West Ham United twice...
was picked up an injury almost on half-time with a suspected broken collarbone. The Blades, after winning just two first half corners, returned with new enthusiasm and inside 20 minutes were into double figures with set-pieces. And it was from there that they were most dangerous, with Jan Åge Fjørtoft
Jan Åge Fjørtoft
Jan Aage Fjørtoft is a former Norwegian footballer. A powerful centre forward with netting ability , he played professionally in Norway, Austria, England and Germany...
winning the flick-ons. Palace captain Hopkin was never far from the action, and was wonderfully helped by Kevin Muscat
Kevin Muscat
Kevin Muscat is an Australian football player who currently plays for Victorian State League Division 1 side Sunshine George Cross and is assistant coach of Melbourne Victory...
, Simon Rodger
Simon Rodger
Simon Rodger is an English footballer most noted for his career with Crystal Palace.-Club career:...
and Andy Roberts
Andy Roberts (footballer)
Andrew James Roberts is a retired English football midfielder.Roberts began his career at Millwall in 1991. In 1995, Roberts moved to Crystal Palace where he was the club's player of the year in 1996. In 1998 he signed for Wimbledon where he stayed until 2002...
. In attack, Dyer was sharp down the wings, his influential pace setting United's alarm bells ringing. But just as it seemed United were winning on points defensively, Palace all of a sudden found new life. As the seconds clicked away, they forced a corner. Rodger pushed it short to Roberts, whose cross was handled well only for Hopkin to snatch on to the loose ball and, from the edge of the penalty area, curled home a shot that totally surprised Tracey in the Sheffield United goal.
Match details
Crystal Palace
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Sheffield United
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