Bolton had lost the 1991 Play-off Final to Tranmere1991_Football_League_Third_Division_play-off_Final and Reading had never featured in a previous play-off final. Reading had played at Wembley Stadium in the 1988 Full Members' Cup Final where they defeated Luton Town 4–1. Bolton's most recent visit to the national stadium was in April, where they lost the 1995 Football League Cup Final against Liverpool. Reading had spent a single season in the second tier of English football, having been promoted the previous season as champions. In their 124-year history, they had never played in the top tier of English football. Bolton had been in the First Division for two seasons, having been promoted in the 1992–93 season, and last played in the top division in the 1979–80 season. Top scorers for Reading were Lovell, with 12 goals in all competitions, followed by Nogan with 11. McGinlay had scored the most goals for Bolton, with 20 in all competitions, with Mixu Paatelainen contributing 14. During the regular season, Bolton won 1–0 at home in January 1995, while Reading won the return fixture 2–1 three months later.