1987–88 Middlesbrough F.C. season
| 1987-88 season | |
|---|---|
| Manager | Bruce Rioch |
| Football League Second Division | 3rd (promoted) |
| FA Cup | 4th round |
| League Cup | 2nd round |
| Simod Cup | 1st round |
| Top goalscorer | League: Bernie Slaven All: Bernie Slaven |
| Highest home attendance | Home: 27,645 (vs Leicester City) Away: 34,186 (vs Leeds United) |
| Lowest home attendance | Home: 9,344 (vs Swindon Town) Away: 5,603 (vs Shrewsbury Town) |
During the 1987–88 season, Middlesbrough participated in the Football League Second Division following their promotion the previous season. They were promoted to the First Division at the end of the season having finished third in the league and winning the play-offs.
Team kit and sponsors[edit]
During the 1987–88 season, Middlesbrough moved to a striped white top half on their home kit with the kits made by Skill and sponsored by Dickens.[1]
League table[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Millwall (C, P) | 44 | 25 | 7 | 12 | 72 | 52 | +20 | 82 | Promotion to the First Division |
| 2 | Aston Villa (P) | 44 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 68 | 41 | +27 | 78 | |
| 3 | Middlesbrough (O, P) | 44 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 63 | 36 | +27 | 78 | Qualification for the Second Division play-offs |
| 4 | Bradford City | 44 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 74 | 54 | +20 | 77 | |
| 5 | Blackburn Rovers | 44 | 21 | 14 | 9 | 68 | 52 | +16 | 77 |
Source: [citation needed]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
League Results[edit]
Football League First Division[edit]
| 15 August 1987 1 | Middlesbrough | 1–1 | Millwall | Middlesbrough |
Stephens  |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 11,471 |
| 22 August 1987 2 | Stoke City | 2–0 | Middlesbrough | Stoke-on-Trent |
| Stadium: Victoria Ground Attendance: 9,345 |
| 29 August 1987 3 | Middlesbrough | 1–0 | Oldham Athletic | Middlesbrough |
| Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 10,551 |
| 17 September 1988 4 | Crystal Palace | 3–1 | Middlesbrough | London |
| Slaven |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 6,671 |
| 5 September 1987 5 | Middlesbrough | 2–3 | Swindon Town | Middlesbrough |
| Stephens Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 9,344 |
| 8 September 1987 6 | Aston Villa | 0–1 | Middlesbrough | Birmingham |
| Kerr |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 12,665 |
| 15 September 1987 7 | Middlesbrough | 3–0 | Bournemouth | Middlesbrough |
| Hamilton , Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 9,660 |
| 19 September 1987 8 | Middlesbrough | 2–0 | Leeds United | Middlesbrough |
| Kerr Pallister |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 12,051 |
| 26 September 1987 9 | Blackburn Rovers | 0–2 | Middlesbrough | Blackburn |
| Kerr Kernaghan |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 6,879 |
| 29 September 1987 10 | Middlesbrough | 0–0 | Reading | Middlesbrough |
| Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 19,788 |
| 3 October 1987 11 | Bradford City | 2–0 | Middlesbrough | Bradford |
| Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 14,114 |
| 10 October 1987 12 | Huddersfield Town | 1–4 | Middlesbrough | Huddersfield |
| Slaven , , Laws |
Stadium: Leeds Road Attendance: 6,169 |
| 17 October 1987 13 | Middlesbrough | 2–1 | West Brom | Middlesbrough |
| Cooper Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 10,684 |
| 20 October 1987 14 | Middlesbrough | 3–1 | Ipswich Town | Middlesbrough |
| Kernaghan Pallister Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 10,491 |
| 24 October 1987 15 | Birmingham City | 0–0 | Middlesbrough | Birmingham |
| Stadium: St Andrew's Attendance: 7,404 |
| 31 October 1987 16 | Middlesbrough | 4–0 | Shrewsbury Town | Middlesbrough |
| Kernaghan Slaven , , |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 10,183 |
| 4 November 1987 17 | Manchester City | 1–1 | Middlesbrough | Manchester |
| Glover |
Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 18,434 |
| 26 December 1988 18 | Sheffield United | 0–2 | Middlesbrough | Sheffield |
| Ripley Slaven |
Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 11,278 |
| 14 November 1987 19 | Middlesbrough | 1–0 | Hull City | Middlesbrough |
| Ripley |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 15,709 |
| 2 January 1989 20 | Plymouth Argyle | 0–1 | Middlesbrough | Plymouth |
| Hamilton |
Stadium: Home Park Attendance: 9,428 |
| 28 November 1987 21 | Middlesbrough | 2–0 | Barnsley | Middlesbrough |
| Kernaghan Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 12,732 |
| 5 December 1987 22 | Leicester City | 0–0 | Middlesbrough | Leicester |
| Stadium: Filbert Street Attendance: 9,411 |
| 12 December 1987 23 | Middlesbrough | 2–0 | Stoke City | Middlesbrough |
| Hamilton Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 12,289 |
| 19 December 1987 24 | Bournemouth | 0–0 | Middlesbrough | Bournemouth |
| Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 6,792 |
| 26 December 1987 25 | Middlesbrough | 1–1 | Blackburn Rovers | Middlesbrough |
| Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 23,536 |
| 28 December 1987 26 | Leeds United | 2–0 | Middlesbrough | Leeds |
| Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 34,186 |
| 1 January 1988 27 | Oldham Athletic | 3–1 | Middlesbrough | Oldham |
| Kerr |
Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 8,181 |
| 16 January 1988 28 | Millwall | 2–1 | Middlesbrough | London |
| Slaven |
Stadium: The Den Attendance: 8,617 |
| 23 January 1988 29 | Middlesbrough | 2–1 | Crystal Palace | Middlesbrough |
| Mowbray Glover (p) |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 12,597 |
| 6 February 1988 30 | Swindon Town | 1–1 | Middlesbrough | Swindon |
| Mowbray |
Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 9,941 |
| 14 February 1988 31 | Middlesbrough | 2–1 | Aston Villa | Middlesbrough |
| Mowbray Kernaghan |
Daley |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 16,957 |
| 20 February 1988 32 | Reading | 0–0 | Middlesbrough | Reading |
| Stadium: Elm Park Attendance: 6,706 |
| 27 February 1988 | Middlesbrough | 1–2 | Bradford City | Middlesbrough |
| Cooper |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 21,079 |
| 5 March 1988 34 | West Bromwich Albion | 0–0 | Middlesbrough | West Bromwich |
| Stadium: The Hawthorns Attendance: 8,316 |
| 12 March 1988 35 | Middlesbrough | 2–0 | Huddersfield Town | Middlesbrough |
| Kerr Glover (p) |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 13,866 |
| 19 March 1988 36 | Shrewsbury Town | 0–1 | Middlesbrough | Shrewsbury |
| Glover (p) |
Stadium: Gay Meadow Attendance: 5,603 |
| 26 March 1988 37 | Middlesbrough | 1–1 | Birmingham City | Middlesbrough |
| Pallister |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 15,465 |
| 2 April 1988 38 | Middlesbrough | 6–0 | Sheffield United | Middlesbrough |
| Ripley , , Senior , Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 17,340 |
| 4 April 1988 39 | Hull City | 0–0 | Middlesbrough | Hull |
| Stadium: Boothferry Park Attendance: 10,758 |
| 9 April 1988 40 | Middlesbrough | 2–1 | Manchester City | Middlesbrough |
| Hamilton Ripley |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 19,443 |
| 23 April 1988 41 | Ipswich Town | 4–0 | Middlesbrough | Ipswich |
| Stadium: Portman Road Attendance: 12,773 |
| 30 April 1988 42 | Middlesbrough | 3–1 | Plymouth Argyle | Middlesbrough |
| Kernaghan Hamilton Ripley |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 16,615 |
| 2 May 1988 43 | Barnsley | 0–3 | Middlesbrough | Barnsley |
| Ripley Slaven , |
Stadium: Oakwell Attendance: 13,240 |
| 7 May 1988 44 | Middlesbrough | 1–2 | Leicester City | Middlesbrough |
| Slaven , |
McAllister Weir |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 27,645 |
Play-offs[edit]
| 15 May 1988 Semi final 1st leg | Bradford City | 2–1 | Middlesbrough | Bradford |
| Goddard 67' McCall |
Senior 68' |
Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 16,017 Referee: David Scott |
| 18 May 1988 Semi final 2nd leg | Middlesbrough | 2–0(a.e.t.) | Bradford City | Middlesbrough |
| Slaven 35' Hamilton 91' |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 25,868 Referee: Joe Worrall |
| 25 May 1988 Final 1st leg | Middlesbrough | 2–0 | Chelsea | Middlesbrough |
| Senior 30' Slaven 81' |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 25,531 Referee: Keith Hackett |
| 15 May 1988 Final 2nd leg | Chelsea | 1–0 | Middlesbrough | London |
| Durie 18' |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 40,550 Referee: Brian Hill |
Cup Results[edit]
League Cup[edit]
| 18 August 1987 1st Round 1st leg | Sunderland | 1–0 | Middlesbrough | Sunderland |
| Stadium: Roker Park Attendance: 15,770 |
| 25 August 1987 1st Round 2nd leg | Middlesbrough | 2–0 | Sunderland | Middlesbrough |
| Mowbray Slaven |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 15,570 |
| 23 September 1987 2nd Round 1st leg | Middlesbrough | 0–1 | Aston Villa | Middlesbrough |
| Aspinall |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 11,424 |
| 7 October 1987 2nd Round 2nd leg | Aston Villa | 1–0 | Middlesbrough | Birmingham |
| Birch |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 11,702 |
FA Cup[edit]
| 9 January 1988 3rd Round | Sutton United | 1–1 | Middlesbrough | Sutton |
| Pallister |
Stadium: Gander Green Lane Attendance: 5,600 |
| 12 January 1988 3rd Round Replay | Middlesbrough | 1–0 | Sutton United | Middlesbrough |
| Kerr |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 17,932 |
| 30 January 1988 4th Round | Everton | 1–1 | Middlesbrough | Liverpool |
| Sharp |
Kerr |
Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 36,564 |
| 3 February 1988 4th Round Replay | Middlesbrough | 2–2 | Everton | Middlesbrough |
| Mowbray Kernaghan |
Steven Watson |
Stadium: Ayresome Park Attendance: 25,235 |
| 30 January 1988 4th Round 2nd Replay | Everton | 2–1 | Middlesbrough | Liverpool |
| Sharp Mowbray (og) |
Ripley |
Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 32,222 |
Simod Cup[edit]
| 10 November 1987 1st Round | Ipswich Town | 1–0 | Middlesbrough | Ipswich |
| Attendance: 6,108 |
Squad[edit]
Appearances and goals[edit]
Appearance and goalscoring records for all the players who were in the Middlesbrough F.C. first team squad during the 1987–88 season.[2]
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Division 2 | FA Cup | League Cup | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| GK |  ENG
|
Stephen Pears | 55 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| GK | ENG
|
Kevin Poole | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Colin Cooper | 55 | 2 | 46 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Dean Glover | 50 | 4 | 42 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| DF |  IRL
|
Alan Kernaghan | 42 | 7 | 36 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Tony Mowbray | 57 | 5 | 48 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Gary Pallister | 57 | 3 | 48 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Brian Laws | 37 | 1 | 31 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Gary Parkinson | 51 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Gary Gill | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Gary Hamilton | 54 | 7 | 45 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Paul Kerr | 57 | 7 | 48 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Stuart Ripley | 55 | 9 | 47 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Mark Burke | 18 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Paul Proudlock | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| FW | IRL
|
Bernie Slaven | 57 | 24 | 48 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Trevor Senior | 10 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| FW | ENG
|
Archie Stephens | 14 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
Coaching staff[edit]
- Manager: Bruce Rioch
- Assistant manager: Colin Todd
Transfers[edit]
In[edit]
| Date | Player | Previous club | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1987 | Kevin Poole |
Aston Villa | Free |
| June 1987 | Dean Glover |
Aston Villa | £60,000 |
| December 1987 | Mark Burke |
Aston Villa | £50,000 |
| January 1988 | Tony Cousins |
Chelsea | Free |
| March 1988 | Trevor Senior |
Watford | £223,000 |
Out[edit]
| Date | Player | Buying club | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1987 | Lee Turnbull |
Aston Villa | £59,000 |
| July 1987 |  Ronnie Coyle |
Rochdale | Free |
| December 1987 | Archie Stephens |
Carlisle | Free |
References and notes[edit]
- ^ "Middlesbrough". historicalkits.co.uk. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ "All Middlesbrough football club players: 1988". Statto. Retrieved 4 April 2023.