40 Years of EFL Play-Offs: 15 Unforgettable Moments – Pick Your Favorites

Posted on: 05/13/2026

Sunderland lift the Championship play-off final trophy in 2025

Source: Shutterstock

Caption: Sunderland secured last season’s Championship play-off final.

As the English Football League marks four decades of play-off action, there is plenty to reflect on. Over that span, 105 different teams have battled it out, with 1,468 goals scored before this season’s edition kicked off, and the drama has been relentless. What stands out in your memory of these end-of-season deciders? BBC Sport highlights 15 defining moments that shaped the play-offs, and you can choose your three favorites and join the discussion in the comments — including those not on our list. The poll remains open until 12:00 BST on Monday, 18 May.

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Homeless Charlton edge Leeds in a marathon replay

Picture a play-off final decided not in 90 minutes, nor 180, but over 300. In 1987, Charlton, then ground-sharing at Crystal Palace, finished fourth-bottom

Swindon goalscorer Alan McLoughlin and player/manager Ossie Ardiles in red Swindon kits hold the play-off trophy
Steve Claridge celebrates scoring a goal for Leicester wearing a blue shirt with the club's badge of a fox on it. Claridge has his right arm raised in the air with teammate Emile Heskey chasing him.
Charlton's Clive Mendonca celebrating his hat-trick, Charlton goalkeeper Sasa Ilic running with the ball in his hands after saving a penalty and Sunderland's Michael Gray being consoled by team-mate Niall Quinn