Manager Barry Fry often describes the 1-0 Posh win as ‘the forgotten final’ which isn’t quite true as the club mark the occasion every five years with features and interviews. They are planning to do so again for the 25th anniversary.
Promotion that season was one of the biggest achievements in Posh history as the previous nine months had been turbulent with the sacking of highly-regarded coach Paul Ashworth and the sale of the two club’s two best players in Simon Davies and Matthew Etherington for a combined £1.2 million to Spurs just a day after a club record 5-0 home defeat at the hands of Rotherham United on Boxing Day.
Ashworth threatened to sue the club, but results improved considerably when experienced coach Wayne Turner arrived at Posh to assist manager Fry.
Posh somehow managed to finish fifth in the table before beating Barnet 5-1 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final helped by the greatest hat-trick of all-time for David Farrell in the second leg at London Road.
That led to a final against an expensively-assembled Darlington side which was settled by a late Andy Clarke goal.
Here’s what happened to those Posh play-off heroes after that game….
13. FRANCIS GREEN
The industrious young striker replaced Clarke in the 89th minute at Wembley. He was a trier, but usually a fringe player as he made more sub appearances (64) than starts (63) in seven years at the club. He scored 16 goals for Posh and went on to have some success at Lincoln City and Boston United. He was a plain-speaking pundit for BBC Radio Cambs at Posh matches for a time and also dabbled in football agency and property development before becoming a financial trader. Photo: s
14. MATTHEW GILL
The Posh Academy graduate midfielder was an unused substitute at Wembley. He made 169 Posh appearances (5 goals) before joining Notts County and then Exeter City on free transfers. Had a second spell at Posh (4 appearances) after a brief stint at Norwich City. Enjoyed time at Walsall, Bristol Rovers, Exeter (again) and Tranmere before starting a fine coaching career. He started at the Norwich Academy, moved to be first-team coach under Paul Lambert at Ipswich and then linked up with another Posh boss Russell Martin at MK Dons. The pair also worked together at Swansea City and Southampton. Currently out of work. Photo: PT
15. MATTHEW WICKS
The central defensive son of former Chelsea centre-back Steve Wicks was an unused substitute at Wembley. It was a role he experienced often before he left for Brighton and then Hull City after 35 Posh appearances. Joined Australian side Newcastle Jets, but soon returned home on compassionate grounds because of a family illness. Photo: David Lowndes
16. BART GRIEMINK
Dutch goalkeeper who was an unused substitute at Wembley. He left Posh after the Wembley triumph and joined Swindon Town. He had played 67 times for Posh. He also played for Boston United and Southend United. Griemink owns a chauffeur services company based in Lincolnshire. Photo: s