View source for 2001 Football League Second Division play-off final

The 2001 Football League Second Division play-off final was played on 27 May 2001 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. It was to determine the third and final team to gain promotion to the First Division. The losing semi-finalists were Wigan Athletic and Stoke City who had been defeated by Reading and Walsall respectively. The match was refereed by Eddie Wolstenholme in front of a crowd of 50,496. Reading finished the regular 2000–01 season in third place in the third tier of the English football league system, one place ahead ofWalsall. Reading's next season saw them gain automatic promotion toThe First Division after finishing in second place. The winners of the play-offs competed for the final place for the 2001–02 season in the first division. Walsal ended the following season in 18th place, four places and two points above the relegation zone, securing safety with three wins in their last four games. Reading ended the season five points behind Rotherham United (who were promoted in second Place) and seven behind league winners Millwall.