1998 Division One Play-off Final vs Gillingham

Lore & Background

The play-off final was goalless for 82 minutes, before Gillingham struck a pair of late goals. City then scored a dramatic pair of injury-time goals (the second of which came in the 95th minute) to take the match to extra time. No further goals resulted, leading to a penalty shoot-out. Gillingham converted only one penalty, while City scored three, ensuring promotion.

In Their Own Story

The sun beat down on Wembley's turf as the clock ticked past ninety minutes, the air thick with dust and nervous anticipation. In the stands, the City faithful held their breath, voices reduced to a low hum of prayer. Then, in the opening stages of extra time, the ball broke loose in the box. Weaver struck it first time, the net rippling as relief washed over the crowd. The roar that followed was not just noise; it was a release of years of frustration. When Goater added the second shortly after, the stadium seemed to shake—a collective exhale of unadulterated joy as the dream of the Premier League finally became reality.

Reader's Guide

The match is remembered for City's two injury-time goals that turned a 2–0 deficit into a 2–2 draw, followed by a penalty shootout victory. The dramatic win ensured City's first season in the third tier ended in promotion.

Did You Know?

• The away kit worn in the final featured bright yellow and navy blue stripes, and had never been worn by City previously.
• The 2024–25 away kit by Puma brought back the yellow and navy blue stripes to commemorate 25 years since the play-off final victory.