The 2004 play-off final remembered

It's 20 years since our nerve-wracking win over Bristol City but one Albion player was supremely confident of success that day.

Luke Nicoli

2024-06-02T05:00:00Z

Leon Knight tucks away the only goal at the Millennium Stadium from the penalty spot.

Following an epic Second Division play-off semi-final victory against Swindon Town, Albion faced Bristol City in the final at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff.

Albion’s success against the Robins, on 30 May 2004, was never in doubt. It was done and dusted before a ball had been kicked. Hand the trophy over.

These are not the pre-match ramblings of the most one-eyed Albion fan, but the words of Chris Iwelumo, who was adamant his loan spell from Stoke City would end in a blaze of glory.

So, what had sparked such supreme confidence in the burly frontman?

Ten days earlier, Mark McGhee’s side had fought back from the death in their semi-final second leg thanks to Adam Virgo’s last-gasp injury-time header. A 4-3 penalty shoot-out success then sent Withdean into further raptures and released a feel-good factor that spread through the squad.

Chris Iwelumo in action against Bristol City. The striker was convinced Albion would win.

“After the semi, there was no thought other than we are getting promoted,” Iwelumo said. “It was like there could be no other outcome.

“As strange as that sounds, that’s how we felt. There was so much confidence, just a great buzz around everyone, and I think that’s what you need.

“Charlie Oatway filmed us on the day of the final and, watching it back, you could see on the way to the stadium just how confident we were. It was bizarre, getting ready, knowing that you were going to win.

“To be in that frame of mind before a final, I’ve never experienced that. I won promotion four times, and two of them through the play-offs, and there’s never been that kind of feeling in the camp.”

From the opening exchanges, played in front of over 65,000 in the principality it was clear how the game would pan out. City had the lion’s share of possession but – thanks to Albion’s competitiveness all over the pitch – they failed to make their dominance count.

The Robins’ best effort of the opening half was a free-kick from Tom Doherty, but it was Seagulls striker Leon Knight who came closer, with a dipping effort that came back off the crossbar.

More than 30,000 Albion fans enjoyed a day to remember in Cardiff 20 years ago.

As the second half got underway, City found themselves camped in the Albion half with Doherty and Brian Tinnion taking the upper hand in midfield.

McGhee’s men had to show their battling qualities again but, gradually, Iwelumo became more of an outlet and started to influence the game.

His first contribution was a rushed effort after he was released by Virgo’s wonderful diagonal pass. He also went close with a flicked header from John Piercey’s pinpoint cross.

Then, with seven minutes to go, came the defining moment of the game. Breaking into the box, he prepared to pull the trigger but was upended by Danny Coles’ clumsy challenge. Referee Richard Beeby immediately pointed to the spot.

“I took the ball for a run, which was quite unlike me, and I found myself in there,” Chris recalled. “I got a little nick, the big man left one on me, so it was a blatant penalty. He’s taken my legs away.

“Leon said to me the day before that he was going to get a penalty, and as soon as it was awarded on the day I had to remind him about the banter we’d had.

Danny Cullip lifts the trophy skywards and Albion are promoted!

“I ask if he wanted to take it but that was never in doubt. He was just so confident in his own ability that it was frightening. He was an awesome player, a great finisher, and he just tucked it away with confidence.”

There was nothing keeper Steve Phillips could do to stop Knight’s spot-kick and the image of the pint-sized striker whipping his shirt off and launching it skywards is one of the most vivid from the Withdean Years.

There was no coming back for the Robins and the final whistle was greeted with a crescendo of noise from the blue-and-white half of the stadium.

“You’re just overwhelmed really. It doesn’t really sink in, what you’ve achieved, until later on. You just go with the flow and enjoy the moment, but it was brilliant. When I look back now, it was an awesome day, played in a fantastic stadium and the support we had was unbelievable. Our fans made a lot of noise from the first minute to the last.

“The only downer for me was the day after the final when the lads all flew off to Marbella. I was already booked to go to the Dominican Republic, which I was gutted about. I’m sure the celebrations lasted for days among a really, really special group of lads who were all in it together.”

Returning to Stoke, Iwelumo was released at the end of the season but after a spell playing lower-league football in Germany, he returned to the second tier with Colchester United, his 17 League One goals playing a contributing factor in the U’s 2005/06 promotion-winning campaign.