The final day of a league season never fails to give fans a day of drama. Whether it be hope, hurt or happiness, fans across the country and beyond will experience a range of emotions from the moment they wake until way beyond the final whistle.
Here we look back at just five of the greatest final-day dramas witnessed through the years. But only if you were a neutral or won.
Final Day Dramas: Five of The Best
1987 -Burnley Look Down and Out
Recently, Burnley under the guidance of Manchester City and Belgium legend Vincent Kompany were promoted back to the Premier at the first attempt. In 1987, promotion was far from the thoughts of those connected to the Clarets. Bottom of the football league and with investment in short supply, Burnley looked destined to be relegated and the club was in grave danger of going out of existence.
Five teams were battling it out at the bottom; however, with two confirming their survival just before the final day, it came down to three. Needing a win and other results to go their way, the Clarets needed a miracle especially after 11 defeats and eight draws in the second half of the season had left confidence amongst players and fans at an all-time low.
Burnley were bottom on 46 points, with Torquay United and Lincoln City above them on 47 and 48 points. More than 15,000 crammed into Turf Moor, an excellent turnout considering less than 4000 had witnessed their last home game. Only a win would do.
Due to the large crowd, the game kicked off 15 minutes later than the other games giving Burnley an advantage but only if everything was going their way. Lincoln lost 2-0, and Torquay drew 2-2. With those 15 minutes to play, Burnley led 2-1; however, a goal from their opponents Leyton Orient would send the Clarets down. It was a nerve-racking ending but they held on to secure safety.
1994 – Everton Refuse to Give Up
Everton went into the final day of the 1993/94 season in a five-team relegation battle and needed a great escape to survive. The Toffees were one point ahead of bottom-of-the-table Oldham Athletic and one point behind Sheffield United, Ipswich Town and Southampton. Everton had to win.
Mike Walker’s men were facing Wimbledon at a packed Goodison Park but just one win in their last 10 games suggested a tough afternoon was in store. This proved to be correct as early as the fourth minute when Wimbledon took the lead. An own goal on 20 minutes made it 2-0 and silence descended on Goodison as the team and their fans stared relegation in the face.
An Everton penalty reduced the deficit but at halftime, they were 2-1 behind and still in the relegation zone.
A stunning strike from Barry Horne raised the roof and hopes but with Southampton and Ipswich drawing, they still needed a goal. With nine minutes to go, they got the goal and the miracle they needed when a Graham Stuart effort went in despite lacking power. It was enough to extend the Toffees’ stay in the top flight into a 41st consecutive season.
2005 – West Brom Defy The Odds
On a rollercoaster final day of the 2004/05 season, four teams went into it ready to do battle in the hope that they would be the ones to survive. It didn’t take long before Norwich City who were looking for their first away win of the season to begin shipping goals at Fulham. Their game ended 6-0 and it was down to three teams. West Brom had been bottom of the table at Christmas, were still bottom, and were odds-on favourites for the drop and knew only a win at home to Portsmouth would be enough.
At halftime, Albion were drawing 0-0, Southampton were beating Manchester United 1-0 and Crystal Palace were 1-0 down against Charlton Athletic.
Manchester United came from behind to lead 2-1 as did Palace against Charlton. Two goals from Geoff Horsefield and Kieran Richardson gave West Brom a lifeline but they still needed a favour from Charlton at The Valley. And a favour they got. A late equaliser moved Albion out of the relegation zone and become the first team to be bottom at Christmas but survive.
2012 – The Battle for the Premier League Title
Manchester City went into the final day of the 2011/21 season knowing that a win at home to relegation-threatened QPR would be enough for them to win their first Premier League title. However, level on points with City were serial title winners and rivals Manchester United who were away at Sunderland.
A 20th-minute Wayne Rooney strike gave United the lead and the advantage in the title race. But six minutes before halftime City took the lead themselves and with their superior goal difference it would be enough. QPR who were still not guaranteed safety, shocked City with two second-half goals despite having Joey Barton sent off.
Five minutes were added on and City needed two goals. Edin Dzeko equalised with three minutes left and at the Stadium of Light United had won and their supporters were beginning to celebrate another title victory. But it’s never over until it’s over. Sergio Aguero played a one-two with Balotelli with 93:20 on the clock and fired into the net to spark jubilation amongst the blue half of Manchester and give us one of the greatest endings and commentaries to a Premier League season.
2017 – Hartlepool United Give Fans Hope, but Was it Enough?
96 years in the Football League and Hartlepool United needed a win and for relegation rivals Newport County to lose or draw to make it to 97 years.
With the minutes ticking away in the second half, United were trailing 1-0 at home to title-chasing Doncaster Rovers and Newport who were winning had seen their lead wiped out meaning their current 1-1 scoreline would be enough for Hartlepool. However, United needed a miracle. And a miracle looked to be on.
18-year-old Devante Rodney scored two goals in nine minutes to put United 2-1 up with just seven minutes of the 90 to play. All they needed now was for Notts County to not concede at Newport and they would be safe.
As the minutes went by it appeared that Hartlepools’s miracle was set to be completed; however, football can be cruel. With a minute to go Newport scored to save themselves and to relegate United.
You can watch the story unfold via the link below as Hartlepool United and Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling reacts to events:
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/teams/hartlepool-united/10866496/watch-jeff-stellings-ecstasy-and-agony-as-hartlepool-are-relegated
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