Another opportunity to recall one of the greatest days in Peterborough United history
No Peterborough United meeting with Stockport County is allowed to pass without mention of one the great days in Posh history.
Posh beat County 2-1 at Wembley in the Third Division play-off final of 1992 thanks to two Ken Charlery goals, one very controversial one and one match-winning beauty in the final stages.
Tony Adcock, a star of that Posh team, recalled the day in an interview with Posh press officer Phil Adlam during Covid times. We re-publish his words here…
“We were all trying to treat the play-off final as just another game, but walking onto the pitch before kick off was a real ‘wow’ moment. I hadn’t experienced anything like this. I wouldn’t say we were nervous, but we realised how big this game was as so many Peterborough fans had travelled.
“We were the better side in the first-half and deservedly took the lead early in the second-half. I was right by the goalline when Ken Charlery’s header bounced down and I swear I still have no idea whether or not the ball crossed the line.
“In fact I tried to head it over the line and a defender just appeared and booted it clear. He very nearly took my head off, but luckily for us the linesman had ruled in our favour and given a goal.
“Stockport improved after that, but even when they equalised so late in the game we didn’t panic and didn’t settle for extra time. Mick Halsall and Marcus Ebdon just geed us up some more. Actually them scoring helped us as they pushed forward and Ken was able to exploit a gap and score a brilliant winning goal.
“I felt a bit sorry for Stockport as they lost at Wembley twice that season which must have been heart-breaking.
“We came back to Peterborough pretty much straight after the presentations. Some of the lads went into the town centre to soak up the atmosphere, but I was one of those who found it hard to appreciate what we had achieved. It wasn’t until the next morning it sank in for me. It was my first promotion and for it to happen at Wembley was unbelievable. Much better players than me had never managed that.
“We had the open-top bus parade the next day and as many people who went to the game seemed to turn up for that as well. These were special moments and I still cherish them now.”
Posh beat Stockport 2-1 in front of 35.067 fans on a baking hot day at Wembley. Over 25,000 were Posh fans. The opening goal from Charlery is still disputed to this day.
Posh: Fred Barber, Noel Luke, Ronnie Robinson, Dave Robinson, Steve Welsh, Mick Halsall, Marcus Ebdon, Worrell Sterling, Bobby Barnes, Tony Adcock, Ken Charlery. Sub used Lee Howarth.
In this interview Adcock also went into detail about signing for Posh from Cobblers, playing for legendary manager Chris Turner and playing alongside ‘King’ Ken Charlery.