Do play-offs count as League games?

[VivaRovers]

...because if they don't then Rovers final match of this season will also be their 4,000th Football League match.

If they do then, this Saturday's game is the 4,000th.

(I think, calculations are based on a souvenir mug for the 3,000th match in 1996, have deferred to TRB to check)

[silent majority]

...because if they don't then Rovers final match of this season will also be their 4,000th Football League match.

If they do then, this Saturday's game is the 4,000th.

(I think, calculations are based on a souvenir mug for the 3,000th match in 1996, have deferred to TRB to check)

I'm sure I've read somewhere that they don't count as they're outside the normal league season. Didn't we have a similar debate when counting Copps career?

[NickDRFC]

They don’t, I think the reasoning is that only 4 clubs compete in them so it’s not a “league” game without the full complement.

[drfchound]

Maybe the question such ask if play off games are classed as first team games and therefore included in first team records.

[VivaRovers]

Turns out the 4,000th Football League match for Doncaster Rovers was actually the Good Friday game at Gillingham.

[Drover]

Maybe the question such ask if play off games are classed as first team games and therefore included in first team records.

But then you would have to include first team cup games?

[Donnywolf]

...because if they don't then Rovers final match of this season will also be their 4,000th Football League match.

If they do then, this Saturday's game is the 4,000th.

(I think, calculations are based on a souvenir mug for the 3,000th match in 1996, have deferred to TRB to check)

Was 3000 v Bristol Rovers. Seem to remember Prog had round Photos on cover. Will have a look at Hamilton Rovers archive ( easier than finding my Progs)

[VivaRovers]

Maybe the question such ask if play off games are classed as first team games and therefore included in first team records.

They're undoubtably first team matches. As are FA Cup and League Cup games.

I just know there are differing feelings about whether play-offs count as League games which was why I posed the question .

[VivaRovers]

Was 3000 v Bristol Rovers. Seem to remember Prog had round Photos on cover. Will have a look at Hamilton Rovers archive ( easier than finding my Progs)

No, Preston North End, 6 April 1996.

[drfchound]

Maybe the question such ask if play off games are classed as first team games and therefore included in first team records.

But then you would have to include first team cup games?

Club records do include cup games, as do Wikipedia records.

[Bristol Red Rover]

As far as I'm aware, in all mainstream forms of records of League games, Play Offs don't count.

[drfchound]

The matches under discussion are called (for example) league two play off semi final and final.
The individual leagues aren’t complete until those games are played so it could be argued that they should be counted in the records.