2017 EFL League Two play-off final

{{main|2016–17 EFL League Two}}

{{#invoke:sports table|main|style=WDL

|res_col_header=Q

|float=right

|teamwidth=auto

|title=EFL League Two final table, leading positions

|team1=POR |team2=PLY |team3=DON |team4=LUT |team5=EXE |team6=CAR |team7=BLP

|win_POR=26|draw_POR=9 |loss_POR=11|gf_POR=79|ga_POR=40

|win_PLY=26|draw_PLY=9 |loss_PLY=11|gf_PLY=71|ga_PLY=46

|win_DON=25|draw_DON=10|loss_DON=11|gf_DON=85|ga_DON=55

|win_LUT=20|draw_LUT=17|loss_LUT=9 |gf_LUT=70|ga_LUT=43

|win_EXE=21|draw_EXE=8 |loss_EXE=17|gf_EXE=75|ga_EXE=56

|win_CAR=18|draw_CAR=17|loss_CAR=11|gf_CAR=69|ga_CAR=68

|win_BLP=18|draw_BLP=16|loss_BLP=12|gf_BLP=69|ga_BLP=46

|name_POR = Portsmouth

|name_PLY = Plymouth Argyle

|name_DON = Doncaster Rovers

|name_LUT = Luton Town

|name_EXE = Exeter City

|name_CAR = Carlisle United

|name_BLP = Blackpool

|update=complete|title_source={{Cite web | url = https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20162017/regular-season/r36644/ | website = Soccerway | access-date = 23 January 2021 | title = League Two – 2016/2017 – Regular season | publisher = Perform Group | archive-date = 24 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210124161952/https://uk.soccerway.com/national/england/league-two/20162017/regular-season/r36644/ | url-status = live }}

}}

Exeter City finished the regular 2016–17 season in fifth place in EFL League Two, the fourth tier of the English football league system, two places ahead of Blackpool. Both therefore missed out on the three automatic places for promotion to EFL League One and instead took part in the play-offs to determine the fourth promoted team. Exeter City finished fourteen points behind Doncaster Rovers (who were promoted in third place), and sixteen behind Plymouth Argyle (promoted in second) and league winners Portsmouth. Blackpool ended the season two places and one point behind Exeter City.

Blackpool's opponents for their play-off semi-final were Luton Town with the first match of the two-legged tie being held at Bloomfield Road in Blackpool on 14 May 2017. Mark Cullen put the home side ahead after 19 minutes with a low shot but Luton replied, first through Dan Potts and then Isaac Vassell, to make it 2–1 at half-time. Two minutes into the second half, Cullen levelled the game with his second goal, a strike from around {{convert|25|yd}}. He completed his hat-trick midway through the half with a penalty and the match ended 3–2 to Blackpool.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833952 | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 23 January 2021 | title = Blackpool 3–2 Luton Town | first = Nathan | last = Middleton | date = 14 May 2017 | archive-date = 21 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190421055709/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833952 | url-status = live }} The second leg of the semi-final took place at Kenilworth Road in Luton four days later. Nathan Delfouneso opened the scoring for the visitors midway through the first half before Kelvin Mellor's own goal made it 1–1. Scott Cuthbert's header just before half-time made it 2–1 to Luton and twelve minutes after the break, Danny Hylton converted a penalty to increase his side's lead. Armand Gnanduillet's header made it 3–2 with less than 15 minutes remaining, and in the fifth minute of injury time, an own goal from Stuart Moore ensured the match ended 3–3. With an aggregate victory of 6–5, Blackpool progressed to the final.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39879758 | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 23 January 2021 | title = Luton Town 3–3 Blackpool | first = Brendon | last = Mitchell | date = 18 May 2017 | archive-date = 12 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190412205223/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39879758 | url-status = live }}

Exeter City faced Carlisle United in their play-off semi-final, the first leg being played at Brunton Park in Carlisle on 14 May 2017. The visitors took the lead on 15 minutes when Joel Grant scored but Exeter's Jordan Moore-Taylor scored an own goal to level the match. Ryan Harley restored Exeter's lead just before half-time and David Wheeler made it 3–1 eleven minutes into the second half. John O'Sullivan's cross floated into the Exeter goal to make it 3–2 midway through the second half and Shaun Miller's header levelled the match which ended 3–3.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833951 | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 14 May 2017 | first = James | last = Law | access-date = 23 January 2021 | title = Carlisle United 3–3 Exeter City | archive-date = 15 September 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180915132919/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833951 | url-status = live }} The second leg of the semi-final was played St James Park in Exeter four days later. Ollie Watkins scored the only goal of the first half to put Exeter ahead on aggregate. With eleven minutes of the game remaining, Watkins scored his and Exeter's second, but Jason Kennedy pulled one back for the visitors two minutes later. O'Sullivan scored in the 90th minute to make it 2–2, but five minutes into injury time, Jack Stacey scored for Exeter to make it 3–2, and Exeter won the tie 6–5 on aggregate.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39879759 | title = Exeter City 3–2 Carlisle United | publisher = BBC Sport | access-date = 23 January 2021 | date = 18 May 2017 | first = James | last = Law | archive-date = 5 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190405185446/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39879759 | url-status = live }}

Blackpool had been relegated to League Two the previous season and were thus aiming for an instant return to League One.{{Cite web | url = https://www.fchd.info/BLACKPOO.HTM | title = Blackpool | access-date = 24 January 2021 | website = Football Club History Database | archive-date = 8 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200808183005/http://fchd.info/BLACKPOO.HTM | url-status = live }} Exeter City had played in League Two since being relegated at the end of the 2011–12 season.{{Cite web | url = https://www.fchd.info/EXETERC.HTM | title = Exeter City | access-date = 24 January 2021 | website = Football Club History Database | archive-date = 30 September 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200930033837/http://www.fchd.info/EXETERC.HTM | url-status = live }} During the regular season, Blackpool were undefeated in the two matches between the clubs, winning 2–0 at Bloomfield Road in August 2016 and drawing 2–2 at St James Park the following February.{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/teams/exeter-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Blackpool/ | website = 11v11 | access-date = 24 January 2021 | title = Exeter City football club: record v Blackpool | publisher = AFS Enterprises | archive-date = 27 April 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200427222943/https://www.11v11.com/teams/exeter-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Blackpool/ | url-status = live }} Blackpool's top scorers during the regular season were Potts with 12 (10 in the league, 1 in the FA Cup and 1 in the League Cup) followed by Vassell with 11 (all in the league).{{Cite web | url = https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=317&comp_id=3&season_id=149&teamTabs=stats | website = Soccerbase | publisher = Centurycomm | access-date = 24 January 2021 | title = Blackpool squad details – 2016/17 – player appearances | archive-date = 31 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210131044244/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=317&comp_id=3&season_id=149&teamTabs=stats | url-status = live }} Exeter's leading marksmen were Wheeler who had 17 goals for the season (all in the league), followed by Reid with 14 (13 in the league, 1 in the FA Cup) and Watkins with 13 (all in the league).{{Cite web | url = https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=947&comp_id=3&season_id=149&teamTabs=stats | website = Soccerbase | publisher = Centurycomm | access-date = 24 January 2021 | title = Exeter City squad details – 2016/17 – player appearances | archive-date = 1 February 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210201101220/https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=947&comp_id=3&season_id=149&teamTabs=stats | url-status = live }}

Exeter City were allocated 20,000 tickets for the match.{{cite web |first=Simon |last=Larkins |title=Play-off final tickets to go on sale on Friday at 12pm |url=http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/play-off-final-ticket-to-go-on-sale-on-friday-at-12pm-3720320.aspx |publisher=Exeter City F.C. |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124162001/https://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/news/2017/may/play-off-final-tickets-to-go-on-sale-on-friday-at-12pm/ |url-status=live }} Blackpool supporters were allocated the east end of Wembley Stadium while Exeter City fans occupied the west end. Due to an ongoing dispute with Blackpool owner, Owen Oyston and his family, Blackpool Supporters' Trust called on the club to donate its share of its gate receipts to charity so they could attend the match without their money going towards the Oyston family.{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Scrafton |title=Blackpool allocated East End of Wembley stadium |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-allocated-east-end-of-wembley-stadium-1-8552650 |newspaper=Blackpool Gazette |date=19 May 2017 |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=3 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603121618/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/blackpool-allocated-east-end-of-wembley-stadium-1-8552650 |url-status=live }}

The referee for the match was Darren England, who was assisted by James Bell and Lee Venamore. The fourth official was David Webb while the reserve assistant referee was Helen Byrne.{{Cite web| url = https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/sky-bet-league-two-play-off-final-key-information/| title = Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final: Key information| date = 25 May 2017| publisher = English Football League| access-date = 24 January 2021| archive-date = 29 January 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210129145855/https://www.efl.com/news/2017/may/sky-bet-league-two-play-off-final-key-information/| url-status = live}} Hawk-Eye was also in use for the final. Before the match, a minute's silence was held to commemorate the Manchester Arena bombing which had taken place six days prior to the final. Faryl Smith performed the national anthem before kick-off. Sky Sports was the exclusive live broadcaster for the final in the UK.

Watkins had been voted the EFL Young Player of the Season at the EFL Awards. Blackpool adopted a 3–5–2 formation while Exeter played as a 4–4–2.{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/may/28/blackpool-v-exeter-city-league-two-play-off-final-live?page=with:block-592ae0bee4b0be3ed1920741#liveblog-navigation | work = The Guardian | access-date = 24 January 2021 | title = Blackpool 2–1 Exeter City: League Two play-off final – as it happened (2 of 2) | first = Rob | last = Smyth | date = 28 May 2017 | archive-date = 31 May 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170531032848/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/may/28/blackpool-v-exeter-city-league-two-play-off-final-live?page=with:block-592ae0bee4b0be3ed1920741#liveblog-navigation | url-status = live }} Exeter played in luminous yellow shirts, shorts and socks, while Blackpool's kit was tangerine and white shirts, white shorts and tangerine socks.

Exeter kicked off the match around 3{{nbsp}}p.m on 28 May 2017 in front of 23,380 spectators. Three minutes into the game, Potts put Blackpool ahead: Jack Payne made a long pass to Cullen, who played it to Potts. He ran on and struck the ball first-time into the far corner of the Exeter goal. In the 11th minute, Wheeler headed to Watkins whose shot from inside the penalty area was saved by Sam Slocombe. Seven minutes later, Jake Taylor's shot from {{convert|8|yd}} was blocked by Blackpool's Tom Aldred. Lloyd James then struck a shot wide of Blackpool's goal from {{convert|25|yd}}. In the 31st minute, Blackpool were forced to make their first substitution of the match as Aldred was unable to continue with an ankle injury, and he was replaced by Bright Osayi-Samuel. With five minutes of the half remaining, Wheeler scored the equaliser. Woodman played a long ball towards him, which he controlled on the run. As Slocombe came out, Wheeler lobbed him from just inside the area to make it 1–1 at half-time.{{Cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/may/28/blackpool-v-exeter-city-league-two-play-off-final-live | work = The Guardian | access-date = 24 January 2021 | title = Blackpool 2–1 Exeter City: League Two play-off final – as it happened (1 of 2) | first = Rob | last = Smyth | date = 28 May 2017 | archive-date = 12 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201112041225/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2017/may/28/blackpool-v-exeter-city-league-two-play-off-final-live | url-status = live }}

Three minutes into the second half, Osayi-Samuel struck a shot wide of the Exeter goal. In the 50th minute, a half-volley from Vassell from a tight angle was saved by the Exeter goalkeeper Christy Pym. In the 57th minute Exeter's Grant was replaced by Reuben Reid before Troy Brown limped off, with Pierce Sweeney coming on as a substitute. In the 59th minute, Cullen received the first yellow card of the game. Pym then caught Mellor's header from a corner. Blackpool made their second substitution of the game in the 62nd minute when Ian Black came on for Payne. Two minutes later, Cullen put Blackpool back into the lead. Potts made a run into the Exeter penalty area and crossed the ball: Pym deflected it with his foot only for Cullen to finish it with an outstretched leg. In the 71st minute, Exeter made their final personnel change of the afternoon with Lee Holmes replacing Craig Woodman. Danns shot then flew over the Exeter crossbar and with fifteen minutes to go, Cullen was replaced by Jordan Flores. In the 78th minute, Reid's shot from the edge of the Blackpool box went just wide. Late pressure from Exeter failed to produce any goals, and despite five minutes of injury time, the match ended 2–1 to Blackpool who were promoted to League One.

{{football box

|date=28 May 2017

|time= 15:00 BST

|team1= Blackpool

|score= 2–1

|report= [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39989418#tab-2 Report]

|team2= Exeter City

|goals1= Potts {{goal|3}}
Cullen {{goal|64}}

|goals2= Wheeler {{goal|40}}

|stadium= Wembley Stadium, London

|attendance= 23,380

|referee= Darren England

}}

style="width:92%;"

{{Football kit |pattern_la = _blackpool1617h |pattern_b = _blackpool1617h |pattern_ra = _blackpool1617h |pattern_so = _blackpool1617h |leftarm = ff6000 |body = ff6000 |rightarm = ff6000 |shorts = ffffff |socks = ff6000 |title = Blackpool |alt = Orange shirts with white trim, white shorts and orange socks }} |{{Football kit | kit_alt1 = | pattern_la = | pattern_b = _exeter1617a | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = _black_border | pattern_so = _ | leftarm = 000000 | body = E0F235 | rightarm = 000000 | shorts = E0F235 | socks = E0F235 | title = Exeter City | alt = Yellow shirts with black arms, yellow shorts with black trim, yellow socks }}

style="width:100%;"
style="vertical-align:top; width:40%;"| {| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
width=25|	width=25|
GK	1	Sam Slocombe	{{yel|90+2}}
CB	6	Will Aimson
CB	15	Tom Aldred (c)		{{Suboff|31}}
CB	5	Clark Robertson
RM	2	Kelvin Mellor
CM	28	Jack Payne		{{Suboff|62}}
CM	8	Brad Potts
CM	35	Neil Danns
LM	23	Colin Daniel	{{yel|90+5}}
RS	7	Kyle Vassell
LS	9	Mark Cullen	{{yel|59}}	{{Suboff|75}}
colspan=4|Substitutes:
GK	27	Dean Lyness
DF	16	Eddie Nolan
MF	12	Jordan Flores	{{yel|90+3}}	{{Subon|75}}
MF	21	Bright Osayi-Samuel	{{yel|66}}	{{Subon|31}}
MF	37	Ian Black		{{Subon|62}}
FW	30	Nathan Delfouneso
FW	31	Armand Gnanduillet
colspan=4|Manager:
colspan="4"|Gary Bowyer

|valign="top"|300px

|style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size:90%; margin:auto;"
width=25|	width=25|
GK	30	Christy Pym
RB	28	Jack Stacey
CB	39	Troy Brown		{{Suboff|58}}
CB	15	Jordan Moore-Taylor (c)
LB	3	Craig Woodman		{{Suboff|71}}
RM	11	David Wheeler
CM	4	Lloyd James
CM	7	Ryan Harley
LM	25	Jake Taylor
RS	14	Ollie Watkins
LS	12	Joel Grant		{{Suboff|57}}
colspan=4|Substitutes:
GK	1	Bobby Olejnik
DF	6	Jordan Tillson
DF	29	Luke Croll
DF	31	Pierce Sweeney		{{Subon|58}}
MF	10	Lee Holmes		{{Subon|71}}
FW	19	Liam McAlinden
FW	33	Reuben Reid		{{Subon|57}}
colspan=4|Manager:
colspan="4"|Paul Tisdale

|}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+Statistics
scope="col" style="width:100px"|Statistic ! scope="col" style="width:70px"|Blackpool ! scope="col" style="width:70px"|Exeter City
scope=row|Goals scored |2 |1
scope=row|Total shots |16 |13
scope=row|Shots on target |5 |2
scope=row|Ball possession |36% |64%
scope=row|Corner kicks |8 |3
scope=row|Fouls committed |7 |11
scope=row|Yellow cards |5 |0
scope=row|Red cards |0 |0

The Blackpool manager said: "It was a massive team effort{{nbsp}}... Exeter, a great footballing team, put us on the back foot."{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39989418 | title = Blackpool 2–1 Exeter City | first = James | last = Law | access-date = 16 March 2021 | publisher = BBC Sport | date = 28 May 2017 | archive-date = 8 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190408163418/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39989418 | url-status = live }} His counterpart Paul Tisdale said: "I'm disappointed, clearly. I'm disappointed that we probably didn't do our best in the last half an hour{{nbsp}}... It's a tough environment to play in – the pressure – and the performance doesn't always get the result." Winning the final made Blackpool the most successful team in the history of the play-offs, having won five finals in eight attempts.{{Cite web | url = https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/nostalgia/history-made-blackpool-seal-instant-return-league-one-yet-another-play-triumph-fans-stay-loyal-boycott-day-2017-2866891 | work = Blackpool Gazette | access-date = 24 January 2021 | title = History made as Blackpool seal instant return to League One with yet another play-off triumph as fans stay loyal to boycott – on this day in 2017 | date = 28 May 2020 | first = Matt | last = Scrafton | archive-date = 21 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200621164138/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/nostalgia/history-made-blackpool-seal-instant-return-league-one-yet-another-play-triumph-fans-stay-loyal-boycott-day-2017-2866891 | url-status = live }}

Blackpool finished their following season in twelfth place in League One.{{Cite web | url = https://www.11v11.com/teams/blackpool/tab/leagueTables/2018/ | website = 11v11 | access-date = 24 January 2021 | title = League One table at close of 2017–18 season | publisher = AFS Enterprises | archive-date = 24 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210124162025/https://www.11v11.com/teams/blackpool/tab/leagueTables/2018/ | url-status = live }} In their next season, Exeter City finished in fourth position in League Two and qualified for the play-offs where they lost 2–1 against Coventry City in the final.{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44192549 | first = James | last = Law | access-date = 16 July 2020 | date = 28 May 2018 | publisher = BBC Sport | title = Coventry City 3–1 Exeter City | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190412051328/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44192549 | archive-date = 12 April 2019 | url-status = live }}

{{reflist}}

{{EFL League Two play-offs}}

{{Blackpool F.C. matches}}

{{Exeter City F.C. matches}}

Play-off Final 2017

Play-off Final 2017

3

Category:EFL League Two play-off finals

Football League Two play-off final

Football League Two play-off final