The Football League play-offs for the 2003âÂÂ04 season were held in May 2004, with the finals taking place at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The play-off semi-finals will be played over two legs and will be contested by the teams who finish in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th place in the Football League First Division and Football League Second Division and the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th placed teams in the Football League Third Division table. The winners of the semi-finals will go through to the finals, with the winner of the matches gaining promotion for the following season.
The Football League play-offs have been held every year since 1987. They take place for each division following the conclusion of the regular season and are contested by the four clubs finishing below the automatic promotion places.
In the First Division, Sunderland, who are aiming to return to the top flight after relegation last season, finished 7 points behind second placed West Bromwich Albion, who in turn finished 8 points behind champions Norwich City, who returned to the Premier League for the first time since 1995. West Ham United who are also along with Sunderland aiming to return to the top flight after relegation last season, finished in fourth place in the table. Ipswich Town who are looking for a place back in the top flight at the second attempt, finished in fifth place. Crystal Palace finished level on points with Ipswich Town and were looking for a place back in the Premiership for the first time since 1998.
Sunderland 4âÂÂ4 Crystal Palace on aggregate. Crystal Palace won 5âÂÂ4 on penalties.
West Ham United won 2âÂÂ1 on aggregate.
Bristol City won 3âÂÂ2 on aggregate.
Brighton & Hove Albion 2âÂÂ2 Swindon Town on aggregate. Brighton & Hove Albion won 4âÂÂ3 on penalties.
Huddersfield Town won 4âÂÂ3 on aggregate.
Mansfield Town 3âÂÂ3 Northampton Town on aggregate. Mansfield Town won 5âÂÂ4 on penalties.