Football League Trophy 1987–88
Encyclopedia
The Football League Trophy 1987–88, known as the Sherpa Van Trophy 1987–88 for sponsorship reasons (although the competition began under its previous title of the Freight Rover Trophy), was the 5th staging of the Football League Trophy
, a knockout competition for English football clubs in the Third
and Fourth
Divisions (now known as League One
and Two
).
The winners were Wolverhampton Wanderers
, who defeated Burnley
2–0 in the final. This marked the only time two previous English champions have met in the final of this competition, and made Wolves the only former champions to have won the trophy.
The competition began on 13 October 1987 and ended with the final on 29 May 1988.
The tournament begins with clubs divided into a Northern and a Southern section, and teams entering a preliminary group stage. Each section then gradually eliminates the qualifying teams in knock-out fashion until each has a winning finalist. At this point, the two winning finalists face each other in the combined final for the honour of the trophy.
Oct 13Rochdale 0–0 Tranmere Rovers
Oct 27Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Burnley
Nov 24Burnley 3–2 Rochdale
Group 4
Oct 13Wigan Athletic 2–2 Crewe Alexandra
Nov 24Bury 5–2 Wigan Athletic
Dec 04Crewe Alexandra 0–0 Bury
Group 7
Oct 13Scunthorpe United 2–0 Grimsby Town
Oct 27Grimsby Town 2–1 Halifax Town
Nov 24Halifax Town 3–0 Scunthorpe United
Play-off to determine second place:
Dec 15Grimsby Town 1–2 Scunthorpe United
Group 2
Oct 13Carlisle United 2–1 Chester City
Oct 28Chester City 2–1 Blackpool
Nov 24Blackpool 0–1 Carlisle United
Group 5
Oct 13York City 3–4 Darlington
Nov 24Chesterfield 2–0 York City
Dec 05Darlington 2–1 Chesterfield
Group 8
Oct 13Doncaster Rovers 0–1 Mansfield Town
Oct 27Mansfield Town 3–2 Hartlepool United
Nov 24Hartlepool United 1–0 Doncaster Rovers
Group 3
Oct 13Bolton Wanderers 0–0 Preston NE
Oct 27Preston NE 5–2 Stockport County
Nov 24Stockport County 1–3 Bolton Wanderers
Group 6
Oct 13Rotherham United 1–0 Scarborough
Oct 28Scarborough 0–3 Sunderland
Nov 24Sunderland 7–1 Rotherham United
Oct 13Notts County 1–0 Northampton Town
Oct 28Northampton Town 1–0 Brentford
Nov 24Brentford 3–2 Notts County
Group 4
Oct 13Colchester United 3–2 Peterborough United
Nov 24Cambridge United 0–0 Colchester United
Dec 01Peterborough United 3–0 Cambridge United
Group 7
Oct 13Southend United 1–0 Fulham
Oct 27Fulham 1–6 Brighton
Nov 25Brighton 3–2 Southend United
Group 2
Oct 13Cardiff City 3–2 Wrexham
Oct 27Wrexham 2–2 Walsall
Nov 24Walsall 3–1 Cardiff City
Group 5
Oct 13Torquay United 2–0 Bristol Rovers
Oct 28Bristol Rovers 0–2 Hereford United
Nov 25Hereford United 0–2 Torquay United
Group 8
Oct 27Swansea City 1–1 Wolves
Nov 10Bristol City 2–0 Swansea City
Nov 24Wolves 3–1 Bristol City
Group 3
Oct 13Aldershot 3–1 Gillingham
Oct 27Gillingham 2–2 Leyton Orient
Nov 24Leyton Orient 2–2 Aldershot
Group 6
Oct 13Newport County 2–0 Port Vale
Oct 26Port Vale 2–0 Exeter City
Nov 24Exeter City 0–1 Newport County
Burnley won 3–1 on aggregate.
Wolverhampton Wanderers won 4–1 on aggregate.
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
, a knockout competition for English football clubs in the Third
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
and Fourth
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
Divisions (now known as League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
and Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
).
The winners were Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, who defeated Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
2–0 in the final. This marked the only time two previous English champions have met in the final of this competition, and made Wolves the only former champions to have won the trophy.
The competition began on 13 October 1987 and ended with the final on 29 May 1988.
The tournament begins with clubs divided into a Northern and a Southern section, and teams entering a preliminary group stage. Each section then gradually eliminates the qualifying teams in knock-out fashion until each has a winning finalist. At this point, the two winning finalists face each other in the combined final for the honour of the trophy.
Northern Section
Group 1| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +3 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
Oct 13Rochdale 0–0 Tranmere Rovers
Oct 27Tranmere Rovers 1–2 Burnley
Nov 24Burnley 3–2 Rochdale
Group 4
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 |
Oct 13Wigan Athletic 2–2 Crewe Alexandra
Nov 24Bury 5–2 Wigan Athletic
Dec 04Crewe Alexandra 0–0 Bury
Group 7
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 |
Oct 13Scunthorpe United 2–0 Grimsby Town
Oct 27Grimsby Town 2–1 Halifax Town
Nov 24Halifax Town 3–0 Scunthorpe United
Play-off to determine second place:
Dec 15Grimsby Town 1–2 Scunthorpe United
Group 2
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 0 3 1 +2 | |||||
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 1 3 3 0 | |||||
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 2 1 3 -2 |
Oct 13Carlisle United 2–1 Chester City
Oct 28Chester City 2–1 Blackpool
Nov 24Blackpool 0–1 Carlisle United
Group 5
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | +2 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | |
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 |
Oct 13York City 3–4 Darlington
Nov 24Chesterfield 2–0 York City
Dec 05Darlington 2–1 Chesterfield
Group 8
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
Oct 13Doncaster Rovers 0–1 Mansfield Town
Oct 27Mansfield Town 3–2 Hartlepool United
Nov 24Hartlepool United 1–0 Doncaster Rovers
Group 3
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | |
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | |
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 |
Oct 13Bolton Wanderers 0–0 Preston NE
Oct 27Preston NE 5–2 Stockport County
Nov 24Stockport County 1–3 Bolton Wanderers
Group 6
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | +9 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | -5 | |
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 |
Oct 13Rotherham United 1–0 Scarborough
Oct 28Scarborough 0–3 Sunderland
Nov 24Sunderland 7–1 Rotherham United
Southern Section
Group 1| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Oct 13Notts County 1–0 Northampton Town
Oct 28Northampton Town 1–0 Brentford
Nov 24Brentford 3–2 Notts County
Group 4
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | |
| Peterborough Peterborough United F.C. Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is... |
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 |
Oct 13Colchester United 3–2 Peterborough United
Nov 24Cambridge United 0–0 Colchester United
Dec 01Peterborough United 3–0 Cambridge United
Group 7
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system.... |
6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -6 |
Oct 13Southend United 1–0 Fulham
Oct 27Fulham 1–6 Brighton
Nov 25Brighton 3–2 Southend United
Group 2
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -1 |
Oct 13Cardiff City 3–2 Wrexham
Oct 27Wrexham 2–2 Walsall
Nov 24Walsall 3–1 Cardiff City
Group 5
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 |
Oct 13Torquay United 2–0 Bristol Rovers
Oct 28Bristol Rovers 0–2 Hereford United
Nov 25Hereford United 0–2 Torquay United
Group 8
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolves Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
Oct 27Swansea City 1–1 Wolves
Nov 10Bristol City 2–0 Swansea City
Nov 24Wolves 3–1 Bristol City
Group 3
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 |
Oct 13Aldershot 3–1 Gillingham
Oct 27Gillingham 2–2 Leyton Orient
Nov 24Leyton Orient 2–2 Aldershot
Group 6
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | -3 |
Oct 13Newport County 2–0 Port Vale
Oct 26Port Vale 2–0 Exeter City
Nov 24Exeter City 0–1 Newport County
Northern Section
| Date | Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 January | 1 – 0 | ||
| 19 January | 1 – 0 | ||
| 19 January | 2 – 1 | ||
| 19 January | 1 – 0 | ||
| 19 January | 3 – 1 | ||
| 19 January | 1 – 0 | ||
| 26 January | 3 – 2 | ||
| 3 February | 0 – 2 |
Southern Section
| Date | Home team | Score | Away team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 January | 1 – 0 | |||
| 19 January | 1 – 1 | |||
| Colchester United won on penalties | ||||
| 19 January | 2 – 3 | |||
| 19 January | 1 – 0 | |||
| 19 January | 1 – 2 | |||
| 19 January | Wolves Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
4 – 0 | ||
| 20 January | Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system.... |
4 – 2 | ||
| 20 January | 2 – 0 | |||
Northern Section
| Date | Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 February | 0 – 1 | ||
| 9 February | 0 – 1 | ||
| 16 February | 2 – 1 | ||
| 18 February | 1 – 2 |
Southern Section
| Date | Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 February | 2 – 3 | ||
| 9 February | Wolves Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
4 – 0 | |
| 10 February | 0 – 1 | Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system.... |
|
| 16 February | 0 – 1 |
Northern Section
| Date | Home team | Score | Away team | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 March | 0 – 0 | |||
| Burnley won on penalties | ||||
| 8 March | 0 – 2 | |||
Southern Section
| Date | Home team | Score | Away team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 March | Wolves Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
1 – 0 | |
| 9 March | Brighton Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system.... |
1 – 5 |
Northern Area final
----Burnley won 3–1 on aggregate.
Southern Area final
----Wolverhampton Wanderers won 4–1 on aggregate.