1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season

The 1987–88 season was the 103rd season in the history of Luton Town Football Club. It was Luton Town's 68th consecutive season in the Football League, and their 71st overall. It was also their sixth successive season in the First Division, and their 12th overall. The season is one of the club's most successful of all time, as Luton Town achieved a ninth-place finish in the league, won the Football League Cup, and reached the FA Cup semi-final and Full Members' Cup final. As League Cup winners, they would normally have qualified for the UEFA Cup, but were denied a first foray into European competition due to the ban on English clubs as a result of the 1985 Heysel disaster continuing for a fourth season.

Luton Town
1987–88 season
ChairmanDavid Evans
ManagerRay Harford
Football League First Division9th
FA CupSemi-final
Football League CupWinners
Full Members' CupRunners-up
Top goalscorerLeague:
Mark Stein (11)
All:
Mick Harford (21)
Highest home attendance13,010 vs Oxford United (Football League Cup, 28 February 1988)
Lowest home attendance4,240 vs Wigan Athletic (Football League Cup, 6 October 1987)
Average home league attendance8,039[1]

Background
See also: History of Luton Town F.C. (1970–present) and List of Luton Town F.C. seasons

1982–83 saw Luton Town back in the First Division under David Pleat, making a final day escape from relegation at Maine Road through Raddy Antić.[2] By 1985–86 Pleat had ensured that Luton had climbed to a ninth-place finish, but at the end of the season Pleat left to take up the reins at Tottenham Hotspur.[2][3] Youth team manager and former player John Moore was promoted to manager, and former Fulham boss Ray Harford was brought in as his assistant.[4] Due to the club's infamous ban on visiting supporters, 1986–87 saw Luton excluded from the Football League Cup.[2] However, it proved to be Luton Town's best yet, as Moore and Harford took the club to their highest ever league finish; seventh.[2] When Moore resigned after only one season, Harford was promoted to manager for the 1987–88 campaign.[5]

Review

July–September

The promotion of Ray Harford to manager ensured a sense of continuity was maintained at Kenilworth Road, as Harford had been assistant to John Moore the previous season. Danny Wilson arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion during July in a £150,000 deal,[6] as the club looked to build on their seventh-place finish the year before.

Luton made a dismal start to the First Division season, not winning their first game of the campaign until the sixth time of asking with a 5–2 victory over Oxford United at the Manor Ground. A second victory followed the next week, as Luton beat Everton 2–1. Meanwhile, Harford continued to dabble in the transfer market – Scottish winger Mickey Weir arrived from Hibernian for £230,000, while Robert Wilson and Stacey North were sold to Fulham and West Bromwich Albion respectively.[7][8] Days after the Weir transfer, Mike Newell was sold to Leicester City - perhaps a surprising move as Newell had been Luton's top scorer the previous season and even scored a hat-trick against defending double winners Liverpool.[7] Two league defeats followed, at Charlton Athletic and Queens Park Rangers – but in between there was a winning start in the League Cup as Luton beat Wigan Athletic 1–0 at Springfield Park, courtesy of a goal from new signing Weir.

October–December

A Mick Harford goal was enough to secure a 1–1 draw against Manchester United at Kenilworth Road, and Harford bagged a hat-trick three days later as Luton trounced Wigan 4–2 in the second leg of the League Cup fixture. Harford scored a penalty at Fratton Park on the 10th, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 3–1 victory for Portsmouth. Ian Allinson signed from Stoke City for £10,000, and made his debut a week later as Luton beat Wimbledon 2–0.[7]

The impact of a 1–0 home defeat to Liverpool was softened by subsequent success in the League Cup, as Coventry were routed 3–1 at Leicester City's Filbert Street. Three comfortable league victories followed, Luton keeping a clean sheet in every one, and the League Cup run continued with a 1–0 win at Ipswich. Defeat at Norwich City was followed by the derby match at Watford – Steve Foster's goal gave Luton a 1–0 victory. A draw and a loss followed, before Luton rounded off the calendar year with a 1–0 home win over Charlton.

January–March

New Year's Day saw a 3–0 home win over Chelsea – indeed, Luton went through the month unbeaten. The start of the club's FA Cup run saw victory at Hartlepool, while a draw and a victory in the league kept Luton comfortably in mid-table. The League Cup success continued, as Bradford City were beaten 2–0 at Kenilworth Road.

Oxford United then visited Kenilworth Road for one of the more remarkable fixtures of the year – Luton beat Oxford 7–4, as Mark Stein scored a hat-trick. Luton travelled to Oxford four days later for the League Cup semi-final first leg, and came out of the match with a 1–1 draw. Arsenal beat Luton 2–1 at Highbury, before Mickey Weir, who had just signed from Hibernian months before, returned to Hibernian on the 14th in a £200,000 move.[7][8]

Luton achieved victory over Everton in the Full Members' Cup, and it then took a replay to knock Queens Park Rangers out of the FA Cup. The second leg in the League Cup against Oxford saw Luton run out 2–0 victors, with a place in the final against Arsenal as their prize.

No English league team had yet won more than one domestic cup competition in the same season, but Luton were now in serious contention to win three domestic cups in the same season.

March saw Luton win two successive matches in the Full Members' Cup, but also lose twice in a row in the league. The end of the month saw the Full Members' Cup final against Second Division Reading – Luton were defeated 4–1 at Wembley Stadium. Consolation was taken from a 4–1 victory over Portsmouth two days later. This left them with two cups to play for.

April–June

Luton lost the FA Cup semi-final 2–1 to Wimbledon, and Luton only won once in the league during April.

The League Cup Final against Arsenal came on the 24th, and Luton took an early lead through Brian Stein. Luton were overhauled by the opposition during the second half, and trailed 1–2 before a penalty was awarded to Arsenal with ten minutes left. Andy Dibble, a young goalkeeper standing in for the more experienced Les Sealey, saved Nigel Winterburn's shot, and the Luton team rallied to equalise soon after through Danny Wilson. Stein scored the winner with the last kick of the game to bring the first ever piece of major silverware to Luton.

Following the League Cup victory, Luton drew at Norwich before beating Watford 2–1 at home to complete a double over their rivals. Tottenham Hotspur beat Luton 2–1 at White Hart Lane, before Luton finished the season with four consecutive 1–1 draws with Southampton, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest (twice). Luton achieved a ninth-place finish, to go with their cup achievements – an FA Cup semi-final place, a League Cup victory, and a Full Members' Cup final.

At the end of the season, long-serving striker Brian Stein left for French club SM Caen on a free transfer, while Emeka Nwajiobi retired due to injury.[9][10] Defender John Dreyer signed from Oxford United on 27 June for £140,000.[7]

League table
Main article: 1987–88 Football League § First Division

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
7 Wimbledon[lower-alpha 1] 40 14 15 11 58 47 +11 57 Disqualified from European Cup Winners' Cup[11]
8 Newcastle United 40 14 14 12 55 53 +2 56
9 Luton Town[lower-alpha 2] 40 14 11 15 57 58 −1 53 Disqualified from UEFA Cup[12]
10 Coventry City 40 13 14 13 46 53 −7 53
11 Sheffield Wednesday 40 15 8 17 52 66 −14 53
Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
Notes:
  1. Wimbledon would have qualified as FA Cup winners.
  2. Luton Town would have qualified as League Cup winners.

Match results

Luton Town results given first.

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Football League First Division
Main article: 1987–88 Football League § First Division
DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes
15 August 1987Derby CountyAway0–117,204—
18 August 1987Coventry CityHome0–109,380—
22 August 1987West Ham UnitedHome2–208,073Harford (2)
29 August 1987ChelseaAway0–316,075—
31 August 1987ArsenalHome1–108,745Wilson (pen)
5 September 1987Oxford UnitedAway5–206,804Breacker, Harford, Hill, Nwajiobi, B. Stein
12 September 1987EvertonHome2–108,124B. Stein 18', Hill 50'
19 September 1987Charlton AthleticAway0–105,002—
26 September 1987Queens Park RangersAway0–211,175—
3 October 1987Manchester UnitedHome1–109,137Harford 19'
10 October 1987PortsmouthAway1–312,391Harford (pen)
17 October 1987WimbledonHome2–007,018B. Stein, Wilson
24 October 1987LiverpoolHome0–111,997—
7 November 1987Newcastle UnitedHome4–007,638M. Stein 2', 62', Nwajiobi 75', B. Stein 87'
14 November 1987Sheffield WednesdayAway2–016,960Allinson, M. Stein
21 November 1987Tottenham HotspurHome2–010,091Allinson (2)
5 December 1987Norwich CityHome1–207,002B. Stein
12 December 1987WatfordAway1–012,152Foster
18 December 1987SouthamptonHome2–206,618Harford, McDonough
26 December 1987EvertonAway0–232,128—
28 December 1987Charlton AthleticHome1–007,243Wilson
1 January 1988ChelseaHome3–008,018M. Stein 12, B. Stein 50, Harford 64'
2 January 1988West Ham UnitedAway1–116,716M. Stein
16 January 1988Derby CountyHome1–007,175McDonough
6 February 1988Oxford UnitedHome7–408,063Harford (2), McDonough, B.Stein, M.Stein (3)
13 February 1988ArsenalAway1–222,612M.Stein
5 March 1988WimbledonAway0–204,854—
15 March 1988Coventry CityAway0–413,711—
29 March 1988PortsmouthHome4–106,740B.Stein, M.Stein, Wilson, own goal
2 April 1988Newcastle UnitedAway0–420,752—
5 April 1988Sheffield WednesdayHome2–207,337McDonough, B. Stein
12 April 1988Manchester UnitedAway0–328,830—
19 April 1988Queens Park RangersHome2–106,735Foster, Wilson (pen)
30 April 1988Norwich CityAway2–213,171M. Stein, Wilson (pen)
2 May 1988WatfordHome2–110,409Oldfield, Wilson (pen)
4 May 1988Tottenham HotspurAway1–215,437Grimes
7 May 1988SouthamptonAway1–112,722Wilson
9 May 1988LiverpoolAway1–130,374Oldfield 30'
13 May 1988Nottingham ForestHome1–109,108Donaghy 5'
15 May 1988Nottingham ForestAway1–113,106Oldfield 2'

FA Cup
Main article: 1987–88 FA Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes
3rd Round9 January 1988Hartlepool UnitedAway2–106,187Weir, McDonough
4th Round30 January 1988SouthamptonHome2–110,009Allinson, B. Stein
5th Round20 February 1988Queens Park RangersAway1–115,856Harford
5th Round
(replay)		24 February 1988Queens Park RangersHome1–010,854own goal
6th Round12 March 1988PortsmouthHome3–112,857Wilson, M. Stein, Harford
Semi-final9 April 1988WimbledonNeutral1–225,963Harford[A]

Football League Cup
Main article: 1987–88 Football League Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes
2nd Round
1st Leg		22 September 1987Wigan AthleticAway1–005,018Weir
2nd Round
2nd Leg		6 October 1987Wigan AthleticHome4–204,240Harford (3), McDonough
3rd Round27 October 1987Coventry CityNeutral3–18,113Harford (2), Weir[B]
4th Round17 November 1987Ipswich TownAway1–015,643B. Stein
5th Round19 January 1988Bradford CityHome2–011,022Foster, Harford
Semi-final
1st Leg		10 February 1988Oxford UnitedAway1–112,943B. Stein
Semi-final
2nd Leg		28 February 1988Oxford UnitedHome2–013,010B. Stein, Grimes
Final24 April 1988ArsenalNeutral3–295,732B. Stein (2), Wilson[C]

Full Members' Cup
Main article: 1987–88 Full Members' Cup
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes
3rd Round16 February 1988EvertonAway2–105,204Oldfield (2) 61', 83'
Quarter-final1 March 1988Stoke CityHome4–104,580Harford (2), B. Stein (2)
Semi-final8 March 1988Swindon TownHome2–110,027B. Stein, M. Stein[D]
Final27 March 1988ReadingNeutral1–461,740Harford 13'[C]

Player details
Players arranged in order of starts (in all competitions), with the greater number of substitute appearances taking precedence in case of an equal number of started matches.[13]
Pos. Name League FA Cup League Cup FM Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
DFEngland Tim Breacker 40160802 (2)056 (2)1
DFEngland Steve Foster 392608120553
MFEngland Danny Wilson 3886181205410
DFNorthern Ireland Mal Donaghy 321608030491
GKEngland Les Sealey 310507030460
FWEngland Brian Stein 2895185334418
DFRepublic of Ireland Ashley Grimes 31 (1)14 (1)03 (2)13041 (4)2
FWEngland Mick Harford 24 (1)953763339 (1)21
MFEngland Darron McDonough 24 (3)461612038 (3)6
DFEngland Rob Johnson 21 (4)040702 (1)034 (5)0
FWEngland Mark Stein 20 (5)11614 (1)03133 (6)13
MFEngland Ian Allinson 23 (4)351004032 (4)4
MFEngland Ricky Hill 16 (1)200200020 (1)2
MFNorthern Ireland Kingsley Black 10 (3)00 (1)03 (1)04017 (5)0
MFEngland David Preece 130002000150
GKWales Andy Dibble 90101010120
FWNigeria Emeka Nwajiobi 10 (2)2001 (1)00011 (3)2
MFScotland Mickey Weir 7 (1)011320011 (1)3
DFEngland Marvin Johnson 7 (2)00000209 (2)0
MFEngland David Oldfield 6 (2)3001 (1)01 (1)28 (4)5
MFEngland Gary Cobb 4 (3)00000105 (3)0
FWEngland Mike Newell 4 (1)00000004 (1)0
MFRepublic of Ireland Robert Wilson 3000000030
DFEngland Richard Harvey 0000101 (1)02 (1)0
MFRepublic of Ireland Ricky McEvoy 0000001010
MFNorthern Ireland Paul Gray 0000001010
DFEngland Julian James 0 (3)00000000 (3)0
DFEngland Stacey North 0 (1)00000000 (1)0
—own goal —1—1—0—0—2

Transfers

In
Date Player From Fee Notes
16 July 1987Northern Ireland Danny WilsonBrighton & Hove Albion£150,000[6]
11 September 1987Scotland Mickey WeirScotland Hibernian£230,000[7][8][E]
October 1987England Ian AllinsonStoke City£10,000[7]
27 June 1988England John DreyerOxford United£140,000[7]

Out
Date Player To Fee Notes
September 1987Republic of Ireland Robert WilsonFulham
16 September 1987England Mike NewellLeicester City£350,000[7]
5 November 1987Wales Mark WaltonColchester United£15,000[7]
December 1987England Stacey NorthWest Bromwich Albion£100,000
14 January 1988Scotland Mickey WeirScotland Hibernian£200,000[7]
31 May 1988England Brian SteinFrance SM CaenFree[9]
31 May 1988Nigeria Emeka NwajiobiRetired[10]

Loans out
Date Player To End date Notes
1 March 1988England Sean FarrellColchester United16 May 1988[7]

See also

Footnotes
A. ^ The FA Cup semi-final against Wimbledon on 9 April 1988 was played at White Hart Lane, home of Tottenham Hotspur.
B. ^ The Football League Cup Third Round match against Coventry City on 27 October 1987 was drawn as a home game for Luton, but was played at Filbert Street, home of Leicester City.
C. ^ The Full Members' Cup and Football League Cup Finals, played on 27 March and 24 April 1988 respectively, were both played at Wembley Stadium.
D. ^ The Full Members' Cup semi-final match against Swindon Town on 8 March 1988 was drawn at 1–1 after 90 minutes, and finished 2–1 after extra time.
E. ^ The £230,000 fee that brought Mickey Weir to Luton Town from Hibernian was set by a tribunal.[8]

References
General
  • Player and match statistics sourced from: Bailey, Steve (December 1997). The Definitive Luton Town F.C. Soccerdata. ISBN 1-899468-10-2.
  • Match statistics sourced from: "Luton Town 1987-1988 : Results". Statto. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
Specific
  1. Collings, Timothy (1985). The Luton Town Story 1885-1985. Luton Town F.C. p. 350. ISBN 0-951067-90-7.
  2. "Football Club History Database – Luton Town". Richard Rundle. Archived from the original on 29 May 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  3. "David Pleat's managerial career". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 27 June 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  4. "John Moore's managerial career". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 14 November 2004. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  5. "Ray Harford's managerial career". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 21 September 2005. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  6. "Danny Wilson". Sporting Heroes. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  7. "Luton Town Transfers 1987–88". Soccerbase. Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  8. Wash, Roger (2008). Hatters Heroes. Roger Wash. ISBN 978-0-9560832-0-3.
  9. "Brian Stein". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
  10. "Emeka Nwajiobi". Luton Town F.C. Archived from the original on 20 August 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  11. English teams were banned by UEFA from its competitions from season 1985–86 until 1990–91 because of the Heysel Disaster.
  12. English teams were banned by UEFA from its competitions from season 1985–86 until 1990–91 because of the Heysel Disaster.
  13. Bailey. The Definitive Luton Town F.C. p. 75.
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