Did you know if you’re a man living in the UK there’s an 8/1 chance that you’ll be affected by prostate cancer?

This January, Prostate Cancer UK is aiming to lengthen those odds by launching the Sledgehammer Fund. In recognition of this, and to celebrate the fact that Prostate Cancer UK is the Official Charity Partner of the Football League in 2012-13, we asked Zonal Marking’s Michael Cox to give us the lowdown on nine teams who overcame the odds to earn their place in Football League folklore – that number being a nod to the fact that prostate cancer affects one in nine men in the UK.

To make a £5 donation to the Sledgehammer Fund, text ODDS to 70004*.

Read on for Michael’s bookie-beating heroes – and to check out our latest TV ad campaign, featuring Jon Culshaw as a certain Premier League manager…

Bootiful: Robbie Reinelt will never have to buy another drink in Brighton. Photo courtesy of Action Images

 

Sunderland 2006-07
Sunderland were bottom of the Championship table at one stage, but still achieved promotion to the Premier League – a unique record. A run of defeats in their opening four games was halted on the day that Roy Keane was appointed manager, and the team improved steadily from there. Still in the bottom half at the midpoint of the campaign, they clinched the title on the final day.

Nottingham Forest 1993-94
Replacing Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest was a difficult task for Frank Clark, summed up by just four wins in his first 14 league matches. But Forest had retained the services of Steve Stone and Stuart Pearce following the club’s relegation from the Premier League the previous season and made some wise purchases in Stan Collymore and Lars Bohinen. Once they gelled as a unit, Forest comfortably won promotion in second place.

Hull City 2007-08
A classic example of hitting form at the right time. Hull were alarmingly inconsistent at the start of this Championship season, and even on 1 March Phil Brown’s side were 14 points behind first-place Bristol City and 14 points above the relegation zone. But nine wins in their final 15 games made them the form side of the play-offs, and Dean Windass’ famous volley ensured a 1-0 win over Bristol City in the final.

Crystal Palace 2003-04
Manager Steve Kember was sacked after a 5-0 thrashing by league leaders Wigan left Palace close to the relegation zone in November. But Iain Dowie’s appointment was the catalyst for a tremendous run up the table, with Andy Johnson scoring freely. The season finale was outrageously cheeky: Palace overhauled Wigan to claim sixth place, then defeated Sunderland (on penalties) and West Ham in the play-offs to reach the Premier League.

Derby County 2006-07
Five wins from their opening 14 Championship games suggested a forgettable season for Billy Davies’ side, but Derby then became masters of the narrow victory: from November to January they recorded 13 wins in 16 games, of which 12 were one-goal victories. They found themselves top of the league without ever playing really convincingly, and although they fell away, they triumphed over West Brom in the play-off final – winning, inevitably, 1-0.

Carlisle United 1998-99
The most famous relegation escape in English football history. Carlisle were on the brink of relegation from the Football League, and were further handicapped by being forced to use an inexperienced loan signing in goal for their final match against Plymouth, which they needed to win. But Jimmy Glass turned out to be the hero in his third and final appearance, charging up front in the final minute to turn in a corner kick against Plymouth, ensuring Carlisle would remain in the fourth tier of English football and Scarborough would go down to the Conference instead.

Brighton and Hove Albion, 1996-97
At one point 12 points adrift at the foot of the fourth tier, relegation appeared a certainty – and with their stadium sold and a move to play their home games 70 miles away in Gillingham imminent, Brighton’s collapse wasn’t unthinkable. But after winning an emotional final game at the Goldstone Ground, Brighton travelled to Hereford for, effectively, a relegation play-off – whoever lost would be relegated, although the draw favoured Brighton. Substitute Robbie Reinelt hit the equaliser in a 1-1 draw, ensuring Brighton survived – in more ways than one.

Torquay United 2000-01
Early in April, Torquay found themselves bottom of the Football League – and although other clubs were within reach, second-bottom Halifax had a game in hand, and third-bottom Lincoln had two. But amazingly, it was fifth-bottom Barnet that collapsed, and the final game of the season was another classic relegation play-off as Torquay travelled to Barnet. With thousands of fans locked outside a packed Underhill, Torquay stormed into a 3-0 lead and held on to record a famous 3-2 victory.

Swansea City, 2002-12
The previous eight stories involve either promotions to the top tier, or survival in the fourth – but Swansea’s tale combines both. On 18 September 2002, Swansea lost 1-0 at Football League debutants Boston, leaving them bottom of the league for the first time ever. Yet Swansea survived, partly thanks to the loan signing of Leon Britton – who won Player of the Year despite only being at the club for six months. Ten years later, they’re riding high in the Premier League. It’s not an overnight success story, but Swansea have upset the odds in a big way, and Britton remains their key man.

Can you think of any other Football Leagues teams who defied expectations? Let us know in the comments section below, and check our our other spoof adverts featuring Jon Culshaw as  John McCririck and Tiziano Crudeli.

To make a £5 donation to the Sledgehammer Fund, text ODDS to 70004*.

*You will receive a message confirming your donation. You will be charged £5 plus the standard network charge. 100% of your donation will go to Prostate Cancer UK. Please obtain bill payer's permission. Customer care 0844847980.