The history of Swansea City in the Play-Offs

The much loved Football League Play-Offs were first introduced in the 1987-1988 season and Swansea City played their part by appearing in the very first Division Four Play-Off Final that season.

Since 1990 the winners of each division’s play-off competition have been decided by a one-off final held at Wembley Stadium. Prior to this, the final had always been played over two legs, as per the semi-final stage.

Here we take a look back at all of the Swans Play-Off appearances to date.

2020/2021 Championship Play-Offs

17 May 2021 – Championship Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg – Barnsley 0 Swansea City 1
Referee: Geoff Eltringham

22 May 2021 – Championship Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg – Swansea City ? Barnsley ?
Referee: John Brooks

2019/2020 Championship Play-Offs

26 July 2020 – Championship Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg – Swansea City 1 Brentford 0
Referee: Keith Stroud

29 July 2020 – Championship Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg – Brentford 3 Swansea City 1
Referee: Chris Kavanagh

Swansea City lost 3-2 on aggregate in the Play-Off Semi-Final

2010/2011 Championship Play-Offs

12 May 2011 – Championship Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg – Nottingham Forest 0 Swansea City 0
Referee: Mike Dean

16 May 2011 – Championship Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg – Swansea City 3 Nottingham Forest 1
Referee: Andre Marriner

Swansea City won 3-1 on aggregate in the Semi-Final.

30 May 2011 – Championship Play-Off Final – Reading 2 Swansea City 4
Referee: Phil Dowd

Swansea City won the Play-Off Final and were promoted to the Premier League

2005/2006 League One Play-Offs

11 May 2006 – League One Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg – Swansea City 1 Brentford 1
Referee: Keith Stroud

14 May 2006 – League One Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg – Brentford 0 Swansea City 2
Referee: Graham Laws

Swansea City won 3-1 on aggregate in the Semi-Final.

27 May 2006 – League One Play-Off Final – Barnsley 2 Swansea City 2 (Swans lost 4-3 on penalties)
Referee: Lee Mason

Swansea City lost in the Play-Off Final

1996/1997 Division Three Play-Offs

11 May 1997 – Division Three Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg – Chester City 0 Swansea City 0
Referee: Clive Wilkes

14 May 1997 – Division Three Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg – Swansea City 3 Chester City 0
Referee: Mike Pierce

Swansea City won 3-0 on aggregate in the Semi-Final.

24 May 1997 – Division Three Play-Off Final – Northampton Town 1 Swansea City 0
Referee: Terry Heilbron

Swansea City lost in the Play-Off Final

1992/1993 Division Two Play-Offs

16 May 1993 – Division Two Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg – Swansea City 2 West Bromwich Albion 1
Referee: Paul Durkin

19 May 1993 – Division Two Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg – West Bromwich Albion 2 Swansea City 0
Referee: Alan Gunn

Swansea City lost 3-2 on aggregate in the Play-Off Semi-Final


1987/1988 Division Four Play-Offs

15 May 1988 – Division Four Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg – Swansea City 1 Rotherham United 0
Referee: Brian Stevens

18 May 1988 – Division Four Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg – Rotherham United 1 Swansea City 1
Referee: Lester Shapter

Swansea City won 2-1 on aggregate in the Semi-Final

25 May 1988 – Division Four Play-Off Final 1st Leg – Swansea City 2 Torquay United 1
Referee: Roger Milford

28 May 1988 – Division Four Play-Off Final 1st Leg – Torquay United 3 Swansea City 3
Referee: John Martin

Swansea City won the Play-Off Final 5-4 on aggregate and were promoted to Division Three

If you have any memories of any of the Swans Play-Off games then why not share them with other Swansea City fans on our forum.