1987–88 Wimbledon F.C. season

Wimbledon
1987–88 season
Chairman Lebanon Sam Hammam
Manager England Bobby Gould
Stadium Plough Lane
First Division 7th
FA Cup Winners
League Cup Fourth round
Full Members Cup Third round
Top goalscorer League: John Fashanu (14)
All: John Fashanu (21)

During the 1987–88 English football season, Wimbledon F.C. competed in the Football League First Division. It was Wimbledon's second consecutive season in the top flight and eleventh consecutive season in the Football League. They ended the season as FA Cup winners and finished seventh in the league. It was their first season under the management of Bobby Gould, who had been appointed following the close season resignation of Dave Bassett.

Season summary

Wimbledon continued to exceed expectations in the First Division, finishing in seventh in the final table, one place lower than their sixth place the previous season, but, considering that Wimbledon were one of the smallest clubs in the First Division, this was still a great achievement. However, Wimbledon's greatest success during the season, perhaps in their entire history, came in the FA Cup, defeating West Bromwich Albion (4–1, home), Mansfield Town (1-2, away), Newcastle United (1-3, away), Watford (2–1, home) and Luton Town (2-1, neutral) to reach their first ever FA Cup Final, against that season's champions Liverpool. Wimbledon took a lead in the 37th minute when Lawrie Sanchez scored a looping header from Dennis Wise's free kick on the left. Liverpool created many chances, but failed to pull a goal back, with Dave Beasant saving a penalty from John Aldridge after Clive Goodyear was (incorrectly) adjudged to have fouled inside the box; Beasant was the first goalkeeper to ever save a penalty at Wembley. Wimbledon held on to win their first (and only) FA Cup, in one of the most unexpected finals of all time. Due to the ban on English clubs competing in European competition as a result of the Heysel disaster, Wimbledon were denied the opportunity to compete in the Cup Winners' Cup.[1]

Kit

Wimbledon's kit was manufactured by Spall and sponsorsed by Truman.[2] Wimbledon's kit for the FA Cup final were sponsored by Danish brewery Carlsberg, who had signed a deal to sponsor Wimbledon's kits for the next season.[3]

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
England GK Dave Beasant (captain)
England GK Simon Tracey
England DF Kevin Bedford
England DF Peter Cawley
England DF Brian Gayle
England DF Clive Goodyear
England DF John Scales
England DF Andy Thorn
England DF Eric Young[4]
Republic of Ireland DF Terry Phelan[5]
England MF Alan Cork
England MF Wally Downes
England MF Carlton Fairweather
England MF John Gannon
No. Position Player
England MF Ian Hazel
Wales MF Vinnie Jones[6]
England MF Paul Miller
England MF Vaughan Ryan
Northern Ireland MF Lawrie Sanchez[7]
England MF Dennis Wise
England FW Laurie Cunningham
England FW John Fashanu
England FW Paul Fishenden
England FW Terry Gibson
England DF Mick Smith
England DF Andy Clement
England FW Andy Sayer
England MF Steve Gallers

Staff

Transfers

In

Results

First Division

October

November

March

May

Unknown date

Pos Club Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
6Arsenal 401812105839+1966
7Wimbledon 401415115847+1157
8Newcastle United 401414125553+256

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

References

  1. http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/images/1988/wim1.jpg
  2. http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Wimbledon/Wimbledon.htm
  3. http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/FA_Cup_Finals/1980-1989.html
  4. Young was born in Singapore, but qualified to represent any of the home nations as he held a British passport; he would make his international debut for Wales in 1990.
  5. Phelan was born in Manchester, England, but qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland; he represented the U21 side during the season and would make his international debut for Ireland in 1991.
  6. Jones was born in Watford, England, but qualified to represent Wales through his maternal grandfather; he would make his international debut for Wales in 1994.
  7. Sanchez was born in Lambeth, England, but qualified to represent Northern Ireland through his mother and Ecuador through his father; he would make his debut for Northern Ireland in 1989.
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