Exclusive:Sheffield United’s stance on huge play-off change confirmed as big shake up increases promotion competition
Sheffield United’s stance on huge play-off change confirmed as big shake up increases promotion competition
Sheffield United were one of the clubs that voted for the first change to the Championship play-off set-up for decades, after it was officially confirmed this morning. The end-of-season lottery has not historically been kind to United, to put it mildly.
They have not enjoyed any success since the play-offs were introduced in the late 1980s but could get an increased chance to book their place in them from next season - providing, of course, they don’t achieve a fairy tale promotion this term.
The EFL confirmed this morning that next season’s play-offs will include six teams, two more than the current four, to mirror the format used in the National League. That will give clubs as low as eighth the chance to book their place in the Premier League.
Clubs that finish third and fourth will progress directly to a semi-final, with two quarter finals to decide who will face them. The team finishing fifth will face whoever is eighth, and sixth will play seventh.
Sheffield United’s stance on huge play-off change confirmed as big shake up increases promotion competition
The two-legged semi-final structure will remain and the final will still be played at Wembley. The proposal had been on the table for a while, with the idea of giving more teams the chance of booking their play-off place - and increasing competitiveness in end-of-season games.
That hasn’t been necessary this season, with United sitting in 13th and nine points off sixth-placed Wrexham with 11 games to go - and the Welsh side still to visit Bramall Lane. A host of clubs in that chasing pack will also be eyeing the chance to hunt down Wrexham and snatch sixth place.
Trevor Birch, the former United chief executive who now holds the same title at the EFL, said: that the play-offs have become a "highlight of the domestic football calendar, capturing the drama, suspense and jeopardy that make the EFL so special".
"Following several months of discussion with clubs and other stakeholders,” he added, “we are confident this change will further strengthen the Championship as a competition and give more clubs and their supporters a genuine opportunity of achieving promotion.”
And United were one of the clubs to have voted in favour of the change, we understand. The Blades are already facing the summer scenario of their parachute payments ending, which will create a big hole in the Bramall Lane budget, while further tightening of financial rules will limit the amount that owners are able to pump in to cover losses.
United, therefore, felt that an extra two places to shoot at from next season would be in their best interests - even if the hope is that they aren’t needed.