"The year 1985 was the most devastating in the hundred years of the Football League. Hooligans attracted headlines, fans were killed in riots and clashes with police drew the attention of the prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, who told football to get its house in order. There was the Bradford stadium fire, collapsing attendances and the threat of a breakaway Super League led by Liverpool, Everton, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal. Bigger clubs wanted more power and a greater share of revenue, while the lower league clubs struggled to survive, but believed the richness of the English game lay in its pyramid."
"Negotiations with the BBC and ITV reached an impasse, leaving a season without televised football. Sponsors lost interest. In December 1985, 10 officials representing all four divisions met at the Post House hotel near Heathrow to thrash out a solution. Gordon Taylor, the Professional Footballers' Association chair, acted as intermediary during a six-hour meeting. Out of that division and chaos, the playoffs were born."
"The idea was proposed by Brentford's chair, Martin Lange, as a way to generate revenue for Third and Fourth Division clubs who would lose money under the new deal. Second Division clubs liked the concept so much they adopted it, too. Lange can not tak"
Playoffs began as a response to severe disruption in English football in the mid-1980s, including violence, collapsing attendances, and threats to the league structure. Negotiations over broadcasting and sponsorship broke down, leaving seasons without televised football and worsening financial pressure. In December 1985, officials from all four divisions met to find a solution. The idea was proposed by Brentford chair Martin Lange to generate revenue for Third and Fourth Division clubs that would lose money under a new deal. Second Division clubs adopted the concept, and it evolved into the Championship final and the richest game in football.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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