Why recent history is against Peterborough United in the 2023-24 League One play-offs, plus the club's complete play-off record

Recent history is not on Peterborough United’s side as they approach the League One play-offs.
By Alan Swann
Published 28th Apr 2024, 18:00 BST
Darren Ferguson after Posh had won the 2011 League One play-off final at Wembley. Photo David Lowndes.Darren Ferguson after Posh had won the 2011 League One play-off final at Wembley. Photo David Lowndes.
Darren Ferguson after Posh had won the 2011 League One play-off final at Wembley. Photo David Lowndes.

No team finishing fourth in the table has gone on to win the play-offs since Rotherham United in the 2017-18 season. And that’s the only time it’s happened in the last nine seasons.

The team finishing third has won four of the last five play-off campaigns – and five of the last nine – which is good news for Bolton Wanderers, although one of them was Wycombe Wanderers whose high finish was secured by some bizarre EFL logic.

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Sunderland were fifth when they were successful in the 2021-22 season. Millwall and Barnsley finished sixth when they won the play-offs in 2016-17 and 2015-16 respectively.

Britt Assombalonga scores for Posh v Orient in a 2014 League One play-off semi-final at London Road. Photo Pete Norton/Getty ImagesBritt Assombalonga scores for Posh v Orient in a 2014 League One play-off semi-final at London Road. Photo Pete Norton/Getty Images
Britt Assombalonga scores for Posh v Orient in a 2014 League One play-off semi-final at London Road. Photo Pete Norton/Getty Images

The good news for Posh though is they finished fourth when they last won the play-offs in the 2010-11 season. They had finished fifth when winning the 1999-2000 League Two play-offs (essentially the second seed which they are this season) and sixth in Third Division when winning the play-offs at the first attempt in the 1991-92 season.

Posh had finished sixth in League One and then bowed out in the semi-finals in their last two play-off appearances in 2013-14 and 2022-23.

FULL POSH PLAY-OFF RECORD

P13 W8 D2 L3 F26 A16Posh have been involved in five previous play-off campaigns.

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Posh manager Barry Fry and goalscorer Andy Clarke celebrate a 1-0 win for Posh against Darlington in the League Two play-off final in 2000.Posh manager Barry Fry and goalscorer Andy Clarke celebrate a 1-0 win for Posh against Darlington in the League Two play-off final in 2000.
Posh manager Barry Fry and goalscorer Andy Clarke celebrate a 1-0 win for Posh against Darlington in the League Two play-off final in 2000.

They won their first three, twice in finals at Wembley and once at Old Trafford, but have failed to get past the semi-final stage on the last two occasions.

Posh have won eight of their 13 play-off matches and are unbeaten at home as well as at Wembley, Old Trafford and in finals!

1991-92

Semi-final

Posh 2 (Charlery, Halsall), Huddersfield 2

Huddersfield 1, Posh 2 (Sterling, Cooper).

Final

Posh 2 (Charlery 2), Stockport 1.

1999-2000

Semi-final

Barnet 1, Posh 2 (Clarke, Lee).

Posh 3, Barnet 0 (Farrell 3).

Final

Posh 1 (Clarke), Darlington 0

2010-11

Semi-final

MK Dons 3, Posh 2 (Mackail-Smith, McCann).

Posh 2, MK Dons 0 (McCann, Mackail-Smith).

Final

Posh 3 (Rowe, Mackail-Smith, McCann), Huddersfield 0.

2013-14

Semi-final

Posh 1 (Assombalonga), Orient 1

Orient 2, Posh 1 (Washington).

2022-23

Semi-final

Posh 4 (Taylor, Ward, Poku, Clarke-Harris), Sheff Wed 0

Sheff Wed 5, Posh 1 (og) – Sheff Wed won 5-4 on penalties

Related topics:League OneWycombe WanderersRotherham UnitedMillwallBolton WanderersEFLBarnsley

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