Forty years of the EFL play-offs - choose your favourite memories

Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, Sunderland won last season's Championship play-off final As the English Football League celebrates 40 years of the play-offs, there is a lot to look back on. During that time, 105 different teams have competed and 1,468 goals have been scored before this season's instalment, and there has been plenty of drama along the way. But what are your memories of the end-of-season shootout? BBC Sport takes a look at 15 moments which have shaped the play-offs, and you can pick your three favourites and join in the conversation in the comments section - including ones that have not made our list. The poll will stay open until 12:00 BST on Monday, 18 May. Imagine a play-off final settled not over 90 minutes, not even over 180, but instead over 300 minutes. In 1987 Charlton, who were ground-sharing at Crystal Palace at the time, finished fourth-bottom of Division One and faced Leeds, who were fourth in Division Two, with a place in the top flight at stake. A goal from Jim Melrose, who later played for Leeds, gave the Addicks a 1-0 lead after their 'home' leg at Selhurst Park but just two days later (imagine the outcry now) Brendon Ormsby netted the only goal in the second leg at Elland Road. A replay and a neutral venue were needed and, four days later, Birmingham City's St Andrew's hosted the decider. As you might expect from such closely-matched teams, it finished 0-0. But this time extra time was played. John Sheridan put the Whites ahead in the first period. However, Peter Shirtliff wrote his name into Athletic folklore with goals after 113 and 117 minutes to keep Charlton in the top flight. Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, Alan McLoughlin (left) and Ossie Ardiles' 1990 celebrations were cut short As far as play-off teams go, Swindon Town can certainly be among those to claim they live up to the competition's reputation for drama and excitement. A 6-5 penalty shootout semi-final defeat by Port Vale in 2022 and a 5-5 second-leg draw with Sheffield United in 2015 will live long in the memory of Town fans for various reasons. But it is two experiences in the 1990s for which they will be remembered by many. Having finished in their highest league position of fourth in the second tier in 1990, Swindon disposed of Blackburn Rovers over a two-legged semi-final to reach the final at Wembley. The club had been under investigation since January 1990 for alleged financial irregularities, although the outcome of the inquiry was not due until after the final. In the first year of a one-off final being played at the national stadium, Swindon faced Sunderland, who had beaten rivals Newcastle in the semi-finals. Alan McLoughlin's deflected 25th-minute goal won the game for Swindon and confirmed promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history - or so they thought. Ten days later, the club was found guilty of 35 counts of illegal payments. Instead of celebrating promotion, they were relegated two divisions, which was reduced to one on appeal, with Sunderland going up instead. Three years later, Swindon were back at Wembley with another chance to reach what was now the Premier League. Under player-manager Glenn Hoddle, the Wiltshire side were 3-0 up and cruising against Leicester City, only for the Foxes to score three goals in 12 second-half minutes. Paul Bodin became Swindon's hero six minutes from the end, slotting home a penalty to finally settle the tie. Redemption had come for Swindon, while for Bodin there was to be heartbreak six months later when he missed a penalty for Wales in a crucial World Cup qualifier against Romania. Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, Bolton finished third in 1994-95 but secured the second promotion spot in dramatic fashion A place in the glittering Premiership was the prize as Bolton met Reading at Wembley in 1995. In their first ever play-off final the Royals, who finished second in the old Division One, made a blistering start with Lee Nogan and Ady Williams giving them a 2-0 lead inside 12 minutes and Stuart Lovell having a first-half penalty saved by Keith Branagan. However, the Trotters pulled one back through Owen Coyle 15 minutes from time and, with four minutes to go, Fabian De Freitas sent the game to extra time. Wanderers completed the turnaround with Mixu Paatelainen heading them ahead on 105 minutes and after Reading spurned some good chances, De Freitas grabbed his second late on, meaning player-boss Jimmy Quinn's last-gasp third for Reading was a mere consolation. The Trotters came straight back down, while the Royals were relegated to the third tier three years later and had to wait until 2006 for their first taste of the top flight. Image source, ShutterstockImage caption, Steve Claridge netted winning goals in a play-off final and League Cup final during his time with Leicester City There was a time in the 1990s when Wembley almost became Leicester City's second home. Four play-off

Forty years of the EFL play-offs - choose your favourite memories

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