Richard Sutcliffe: Put through the mill but Rotherham can save the season

From Hull in the east to Huddersfield in the west, and Middlesbrough in the north to Sheffield Wednesday in the south, the 2009-10 campaign has been one largely characterised by under-achievement.

Only Leeds United's year can be considered a true success, and even then it was more a case of the Elland Road club limping over the promotion line as opposed to striding proudly and defiantly into the Championship.

Elsewhere, Doncaster Rovers did secure a commendable top half finish in the second tier, while Barnsley recovered admirably from a shocking start. But, otherwise, there was little to celebrate for the county's supporters.

Hull and Wednesday's respective relegations certainly tell their own story of a season that saw Sheffield United, Bradford City, Boro and even Huddersfield Town all fail to match expectation with on-field achievements.

With one game of the White Rose season to go, however, there is a chance that matters may just improve as Rotherham United continue the countdown towards their Wembley date with Dagenham & Redbridge in Sunday's League Two play-off final.

It is a huge day for the Millers, not least because it means they will complete Yorkshire's full house of clubs who have reached a Football League play-off final.

Eleven sides from the Broad Acres have battled through to a promotion decider since the play-offs were introduced by the League in 1986-87 with eight going on to be triumphant when it mattered most.

Huddersfield boast the best record with a 100 per cent record from two triumphs, while Bradford, Doncaster, Hull, Boro, Wednesday and York City all prevailed on their only appearance in a final.

Barnsley also tasted success on penalties against Swansea City in 2006, going some way towards making up for the 2000 defeat to Ipswich Town that cost the Tykes a place in the Premier League.

Rotherham will be hoping to swell the number of successful White Rose clubs to nine by seeing off the challenge of Dagenham & Redbridge.

In terms of how the two teams have fared against each other, the Millers must be feeling confident after having triumphed 2-0 at the Don Valley Stadium and 1-0 in Essex.

Looking at Yorkshire's overall record in play-off finals, however, and suddenly the omens do not seem quite so good with the county's other two Uniteds having a shocking record.

Leeds were the first to earn a place in a final, Billy Bremner's side edging past Oldham Athletic in 1987 to face Charlton Athletic over two legs. Neither could then be separated after the ties at Selhurst Park and Elland Road, meaning a replay was set for St Andrews where the Londoners held on to their place in the top flight with two late goals from Peter Shirtliff.

Ten years later and with a one-off final at Wembley by now well established, it was Sheffield United's turn to endure misery as Crystal Palace won 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time winner from David Hopkin.

In 2003, the Blades suffered more heartache with a 3-0 defeat to Wolves in the Millennium Stadium.

Leeds lost by an identical margin in the 2006 Championship decider before making it three defeats from three as Doncaster deservedly clinched promotion with a 1-0 Wembley triumph.

Last year, the Blades made it an unwanted hat-trick of their own when a Wade Elliott goal ensured Burnley edged out Kevin Blackwell's side.

Twelve months on and with Huddersfield having bowed out against Millwall in the League One semi-finals, hopes of restoring White Rose pride now rests with Rotherham.

So, let's just hope Ronnie Moore's men can prevail at the national stadium and ensure the season ends on a high.

Yorkshire clubs in play-off finals

2008-09: Championship - Sheffield United v Burnley 0-1

2007-08: Championship - Hull City v Bristol City 1-0

L1 - Doncaster Rovers v Leeds United 1-0

2005-06: Championship - Leeds United v Watford 0-3

L1 - Barnsley v Swansea City 2-2 (4-3 on pens)

2004-05: L1 - Sheffield Weds v Hartlepool United 4-2

2003-04: Div 3 - Huddersfield v Mansfield 0-0 (4-1 on pens)

2002-03: Div 1 - Sheffield United v Wolves 0-3

'99-2000: Div 1 - Barnsley v Ipswich Town 2-4

1996-97: Div 1 - Sheffield United v Crystal Palace 0-1

1995-96: Div 2 - Bradford City v Notts County 2-0

1994-95: Div 2 - Huddersfield Town v Bristol Rovers 2-1

1992-93: Div 3 - York City v Crewe Alexandra 1-1 (5-3 pens)

1987-88: Div 2 (old) - Middlesbrough v Chelsea 2-0 0-1 (2-1)

1986-87: Div 2 (old) - Charlton v Leeds 1-0 0-1 2-1 in replay