The Football League play-offs for the 1998–99 season were held in May 1999, with the finals taking place at the old Wembley Stadium in London. The play-off semi-finals were played over two legs and contested by the teams who finished in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place in the Football League First Division and Football League Second Division and the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th placed teams in the Football League Third Division table. The winners of the semi-finals went through to the finals, with the winner of the matches gaining promotion for the following season.
Background The Football League play-offs have been held every year since 1987. They take place for each division following the conclusion of the regular season and are contested by the four clubs finishing below the automatic promotion places.
In the First Division, Ipswich Town, who were aiming to return to the top flight after a 4-year absence, finished one point behind second placed Bradford City, who in turn finished 18 points behind champions Sunderland, who returned to the top flight after being relegated two seasons previously. Birmingham City, who were aiming to return to the top flight after 13 years outside the top division, finished in fourth place in the table. Watford, who were aiming to return to the top flight for the first time since 1988, finished in fifth place. Bolton Wanderers, who were aiming to return to the top flight after relegation the previous season, finished one point behind Watford in sixth place.
First Division
Team3Ipswich Town46251297142+29874Birmingham City462410128867+21825Watford462211136544+21776Bolton Wanderers462113126950+1976
Semi-finals First leg
Second leg
Ipswich Town 4–4 Bolton Wanderers on aggregate. Bolton Wanderers won on away goals.
Birmingham City 1–1 Watford on aggregate. Watford won 7–6 on penalties.
Final
Second Division
Team3Manchester City46221686933+36824Gillingham462214107544+31805Preston North End462213117850+28796Wigan Athletic462210147548+2776
Semi-finals First leg
Second leg
Gillingham won 2–1 on aggregate.
Manchester City won 2–1 on aggregate.
Final
Third Division
Team4Scunthorpe United46228166958+11745Rotherham United462013137961+18736Leyton Orient461915126859+9727Swansea City461914135648+871
Semi-finals First leg
Second leg
Rotherham United 0–0 Leyton Orient on aggregate. Leyton Orient won 4–2 on penalties.
Scunthorpe United won 3–2 on aggregate.
Final
External links Football League website