The Big Debate

Should the play-offs be scrapped?

Invented in America as a way to stop the rise of communism in the 1950s, the play-offs have taken off in every sport since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Supporters of the format point to the hope they give to clubs who otherwise wouldn’t even contemplate playing in a higher division. Left-leaning detractors reckon they’re about as fair as the private school system. Is now the time to get rid?

Scrapping the play-offs doesn’t make financial sense. I scrapped my Datsun Sunny in 1981 and it only fetched me £106. How is that going to help league clubs?

Neil Warnock

Graeme Le Saux

The play-offs are a lottery, and while half their profit goes to the Arts Council and good causes they can only be a good thing.

Graeme Le Saux

Jimmy Hill

I think we should scrap the play-offs and replace them with some kind of ‘Promotion Cup’, if we held the final at Wembley think of the money to be made!

Jimmy Hill

Danny Dichio

I wouldn’t know, baseball is not my bag

Danny Dichio

Mark Lawrenson

Play-offs, more like gay-offs. Eh?! EH?!?!?!

Mark Lawrenson

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