Napster
No ⭐
How many seasons have been decided on the last few games of the season and/or also decided on other teams for our place for the following season?
In 1931/2, we had our best ever season to date, with 2 games left we were 3 points below Reading and Fulham. That week, Southend beat Torquay, but the other clubs also won and we came 3rd.
In 1949/50, with only 4 games left, we were in the mix with Notts County and Northampton. 13,000 saw us play Northampton at home, we lost 2-1, then just drew our last 3 games to finish 3rd.
In 1968/9, we had a chance of promotion, but we need 3 wins out of last 4. We won the first, but lost the next 2. Amazingly, we scored 106 goals that season, and yet a defender won player of the season
In 1971/2 when we got promoted, we could have won the title, but after a loss at home after the keeper got injured and Spud went in goal v Cambridge, we only drew our last 3 games to come second.
In 1975/6 we had to win both of the last 2 games to stand any chance of staying up. We drew one, and lost the other in a winner takes all game v Sheff Weds
1984/5- a grim season indeed. In the last 9 games of the season we only scored in 2 of them, one of which was a 4-1 win away. We had numerous players sent off, and were facing re-election, which might have been the end. The last game was a real decider, home against bottom club Torquay whilst Halifax were playing Swindon. Swindon had to beat Halifax if we didn't win. Nil nil after 45 minutes, and news came in Halifax were winning. We got a penalty. Inchy scored. 1-0. We survived.
In 1986/7, Webby's first season (until he resigned in March), if we won our last game at Stockport, we were promoted. Pennyfather and Cadette scored to take us up.
In 1987/8, we went to the final game needing to win to have a chance of staying up. Fortunately, Rotherham lost and we won our game easily.
The game I most remember as a kid was 1988/89. Our fate was not in our hands. Chesterfield, Gills and Aldershot were already down. The last place was either for us or Reading. Our survival depended on Chesterfield beating Reading. At half time, the news that Chesterfield were 2-0 up was great. Spinner scored and we won, but Reading bloody scored 4 and won 4-2, meaning we went down.
The next season, a victory in our last game away at Peterborough would guarantee 3rd spot. Crowny scored the goals that won us the game. That season Col U went down to the Non League.
The next season - five final day dramas in a row! We had already got promotion, but Marcus Gayle ruined our chances of the title in the last game of the season, and Cambridge beat Swansea.
1992/3 next, and Stan the Man v Luton at home in the last game to stay up. A 2-1 win for us, and Luton were also saved as Cambridge and Brentford both lost.
2004/5 - we had to match Swansea's result to take 3rd place and the last promotion spot. Alas, Swansea won and we only drew at Grimsby. (I was there - taking my stepdaughter for a game she quickly lost interest in), however we did win the play-offs
The next season, a win on the final day ensure we won the title. Fortunately the Scum only managed a 0-0 and Pele scored the goal that clinched it.
So, a mixed bag - some we win, some we lose.
Thanks to the book a Century United
In 1931/2, we had our best ever season to date, with 2 games left we were 3 points below Reading and Fulham. That week, Southend beat Torquay, but the other clubs also won and we came 3rd.
In 1949/50, with only 4 games left, we were in the mix with Notts County and Northampton. 13,000 saw us play Northampton at home, we lost 2-1, then just drew our last 3 games to finish 3rd.
In 1968/9, we had a chance of promotion, but we need 3 wins out of last 4. We won the first, but lost the next 2. Amazingly, we scored 106 goals that season, and yet a defender won player of the season
In 1971/2 when we got promoted, we could have won the title, but after a loss at home after the keeper got injured and Spud went in goal v Cambridge, we only drew our last 3 games to come second.
In 1975/6 we had to win both of the last 2 games to stand any chance of staying up. We drew one, and lost the other in a winner takes all game v Sheff Weds
1984/5- a grim season indeed. In the last 9 games of the season we only scored in 2 of them, one of which was a 4-1 win away. We had numerous players sent off, and were facing re-election, which might have been the end. The last game was a real decider, home against bottom club Torquay whilst Halifax were playing Swindon. Swindon had to beat Halifax if we didn't win. Nil nil after 45 minutes, and news came in Halifax were winning. We got a penalty. Inchy scored. 1-0. We survived.
In 1986/7, Webby's first season (until he resigned in March), if we won our last game at Stockport, we were promoted. Pennyfather and Cadette scored to take us up.
In 1987/8, we went to the final game needing to win to have a chance of staying up. Fortunately, Rotherham lost and we won our game easily.
The game I most remember as a kid was 1988/89. Our fate was not in our hands. Chesterfield, Gills and Aldershot were already down. The last place was either for us or Reading. Our survival depended on Chesterfield beating Reading. At half time, the news that Chesterfield were 2-0 up was great. Spinner scored and we won, but Reading bloody scored 4 and won 4-2, meaning we went down.
The next season, a victory in our last game away at Peterborough would guarantee 3rd spot. Crowny scored the goals that won us the game. That season Col U went down to the Non League.
The next season - five final day dramas in a row! We had already got promotion, but Marcus Gayle ruined our chances of the title in the last game of the season, and Cambridge beat Swansea.
1992/3 next, and Stan the Man v Luton at home in the last game to stay up. A 2-1 win for us, and Luton were also saved as Cambridge and Brentford both lost.
2004/5 - we had to match Swansea's result to take 3rd place and the last promotion spot. Alas, Swansea won and we only drew at Grimsby. (I was there - taking my stepdaughter for a game she quickly lost interest in), however we did win the play-offs
The next season, a win on the final day ensure we won the title. Fortunately the Scum only managed a 0-0 and Pele scored the goal that clinched it.
So, a mixed bag - some we win, some we lose.
Thanks to the book a Century United
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