1987–88 Luton Town F.C. season

English football club season December 2021 September 2010 Luton Town 1987–88 Ray Harford David Evans Football League First Division 9th FA Cup Semi-final Football League Cup Winners Full Members' Cup Runners-up Mark Stein (11) Mick Harford (21) 13,010 vs Oxford United (Football League Cup, 28 February 1988) 4,240 vs Wigan Athletic (Football League Cup, 6 October 1987) 8,039The Luton Town Story 1885-1985 Luton Town F.C. Timothy Collings 1985 350 0-951067-90-7 _shoulder_stripes_white_shirt_alt _vneckonwhite _shoulder_stripes_white_shirt_alt 000066 000066 000066 000066 FFFFFF _shoulder_stripes_white_stripes_alt _vneckwhite _shoulder_stripes_white_stripes_alt 003399 003399 003399 FFFFFF 003399 1986–87 1988–89 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. Background History of Luton Town F.C. (1970–present) 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. 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.https://www.fchd.info/LUTONT.HTM Football Club History Database – Luton Town Richard Rundle 7 May 2009 live https://web.archive.org/web/20080529205257/http://www.fchd.info/LUTONT.HTM 29 May 2008 https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=351 David Pleat's managerial career Soccerbase 7 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090627050543/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=351 27 June 2009 live Youth team manager and former player John Moore was promoted to manager, and former Fulham boss Ray Harford was brought in as his assistant.https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=826 John Moore's managerial career Soccerbase 7 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20041114080930/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=826 14 November 2004 live Due to the club's infamous ban on visiting supporters, 1986–87 saw Luton excluded from the Football League Cup. However, it proved to be Luton Town's best yet, as Moore and Harford took the club to their highest ever league finish; seventh. When Moore resigned after only one season, Harford was promoted to manager for the 1987–88 campaign.https://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1056 Ray Harford's managerial career Soccerbase 7 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20050921174247/http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1056 21 September 2005 live 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, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Defender John Dreyer signed from Oxford United on 27 June for £140,000. League table 1987–88 Football League#First Division First Division y LUT Match results Luton Town results given first. Legend WinDrawLoss Football League First Division 1987–88 Football League#First Division +DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorersNotes15 August 1987Derby CountyAway0–117,204—18 August 1987Coventry CityHome0–19,380—22 August 1987West Ham UnitedHome2–28,073Harford (2)29 August 1987ChelseaAway0–316,075—31 August 1987ArsenalHome1–18,745Wilson (pen)5 September 1987Oxford UnitedAway5–26,804Breacker, Harford, Hill, Nwajiobi, B. Stein12 September 1987EvertonHome2–18,124B. Stein 18', Hill 50'19 September 1987Charlton AthleticAway0–15,002—26 September 1987Queens Park RangersAway0–211,175—3 October 1987Manchester UnitedHome1–19,137Harford 19'10 October 1987PortsmouthAway1–312,391Harford (pen)17 October 1987WimbledonHome2–07,018B. Stein, Wilson24 October 1987LiverpoolHome0–111,997—7 November 1987Newcastle UnitedHome4–07,638M. Stein 2', 62', Nwajiobi 75', B. Stein 87'14 November 1987Sheffield WednesdayAway2–016,960Allinson, M. Stein21 November 1987Tottenham HotspurHome2–010,091Allinson (2)5 December 1987Norwich CityHome1–27,002B. Stein12 December 1987WatfordAway1–012,152Foster18 December 1987SouthamptonHome2–26,618Harford, McDonough26 December 1987EvertonAway0–232,128—28 December 1987Charlton AthleticHome1–07,243Wilson1 January 1988ChelseaHome3–08,018M. Stein 12, B. Stein 50', Harford 64'2 January 1988West Ham UnitedAway1–116,716M. Stein16 January 1988Derby CountyHome1–07,175McDonough6 February 1988Oxford UnitedHome7–48,063Harford (2), McDonough, B.Stein, M.Stein (3)13 February 1988ArsenalAway1–222,612M.Stein5 March 1988WimbledonAway0–24,854—15 March 1988Coventry CityAway0–413,711—29 March 1988PortsmouthHome4–16,740B.Stein, M.Stein, Wilson, own goal2 April 1988Newcastle UnitedAway0–420,752—5 April 1988Sheffield WednesdayHome2–27,337McDonough, B. Stein12 April 1988Manchester UnitedAway0–328,830—19 April 1988Queens Park RangersHome2–16,735Foster, Wilson (pen)30 April 1988Norwich CityAway2–213,171M. Stein, Wilson (pen)2 May 1988WatfordHome2–110,409Oldfield, Wilson (pen)4 May 1988Tottenham HotspurAway1–215,437Grimes7 May 1988SouthamptonAway1–112,722Wilson9 May 1988LiverpoolAway1–130,374Oldfield 30'13 May 1988Nottingham ForestHome1–19,108Donaghy 5'15 May 1988Nottingham ForestAway1–113,106Oldfield 2' FA Cup 1987–88 FA Cup +RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes3rd Round9 January 1988Hartlepool UnitedAway2–16,187Weir, McDonough4th Round30 January 1988SouthamptonHome2–110,009Allinson, B. Stein5th Round20 February 1988Queens Park RangersAway1–115,856Harford5th Round(replay)24 February 1988Queens Park RangersHome1–010,854own goal6th Round12 March 1988PortsmouthHome3–112,857Wilson, M. Stein, HarfordSemi-final9 April 1988WimbledonNeutral1–225,963Harfordwhitehartlane A Football League Cup 1987–88 Football League Cup +RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes2nd Round1st Leg22 September 1987Wigan AthleticAway1–05,018Weir2nd Round2nd Leg6 October 1987Wigan AthleticHome4–24,240Harford (3), McDonough3rd Round27 October 1987Coventry CityNeutral3–18,113Harford (2), Weirfilbertstreet B4th Round17 November 1987Ipswich TownAway1–015,643B. Stein5th Round19 January 1988Bradford CityHome2–011,022Foster, HarfordSemi-final1st Leg10 February 1988Oxford UnitedAway1–112,943B. SteinSemi-final2nd Leg28 February 1988Oxford UnitedHome2–013,010B. Stein, GrimesFinal24 April 1988ArsenalNeutral3–295,732B. Stein (2), Wilsonwembley C Full Members' Cup 1987–88 Full Members' Cup +RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersNotes3rd Round16 February 1988EvertonAway2–15,204Oldfield (2) 61', 83'Quarter-final1 March 1988Stoke CityHome4–14,580Harford (2), B. Stein (2)Semi-final8 March 1988Swindon TownHome2–110,027B. Stein, M. Steinaet DFinal27 March 1988ReadingNeutral1–461,740Harford 13'wembley 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.The Definitive Luton Town F.C. Bailey 75 Pos.NameLeagueFA CupLeague CupFM CupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsDFENG Tim Breacker40160802 (2)056 (2)1DFENG Steve Foster392608120553MFENG Danny Wilson3886181205410DFNIR Mal Donaghy321608030491GKENG Les Sealey310507030460FWENG Brian Stein2895185334418DFIRL Ashley Grimes31 (1)14 (1)03 (2)13041 (4)2FWENG Mick Harford24 (1)953763339 (1)21MFENG Darron McDonough24 (3)461612038 (3)6DFENG Rob Johnson21 (4)040702 (1)034 (5)0FWENG Mark Stein20 (5)11614 (1)03133 (6)13MFENG Ian Allinson23 (4)351004032 (4)4MFENG Ricky Hill16 (1)200200020 (1)2MFNIR Kingsley Black10 (3)00 (1)03 (1)04017 (5)0MFENG David Preece130002000150GKWAL Andy Dibble90101010120FWNGR Emeka Nwajiobi10 (2)2001 (1)00011 (3)2MFSCO Mickey Weir7 (1)011320011 (1)3DFENG Marvin Johnson7 (2)00000209 (2)0MFENG David Oldfield6 (2)3001 (1)01 (1)28 (4)5MFENG Gary Cobb4 (3)00000105 (3)0FWENG Mike Newell4 (1)00000004 (1)0MFIRL Robert Wilson3000000030DFENG Richard Harvey0000101 (1)02 (1)0MFIRL Ricky McEvoy0000001010MFNIR Paul Gray0000001010DFENG Julian James0 (3)00000000 (3)0DFENG Stacey North0 (1)00000000 (1)0—own goal—1—1—0—0—2 Transfers In DatePlayerFromFeeNotes 16 July 1987 Northern Ireland Danny Wilson Brighton & Hove Albion £150,000 http://sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=28210 Danny Wilson Sporting Heroes 7 May 2009May 2022 InternetArchiveBot yes 11 September 1987 Scotland Mickey Weir Scotland Hibernian £230,000 Hatters Heroes Roger Wash Roger Wash 2008 978-0-9560832-0-3weirfee E October 1987 England Ian Allinson Stoke City £10,000 http://www.soccerbase.com/transfers_by_team.sd?teamid=1628 Soccerbase Luton Town Transfers 1987–88 7 May 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20070807082251/http://www.soccerbase.com/transfers_by_team.sd?teamid=1628 7 August 2007 27 June 1988 England John Dreyer Oxford United £140,000 Out DatePlayerToFeeNotes September 1987 Ireland Robert Wilson Fulham 16 September 1987 England Mike Newell Leicester City £350,000 5 November 1987 Wales Mark Walton Colchester United £15,000 December 1987 England Stacey North West Bromwich Albion £100,000 14 January 1988 Scotland Mickey Weir Scotland Hibernian £200,000 31 May 1988 England Brian Stein France SM Caen Free https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=7587 Soccerbase Brian Stein 7 May 2009 31 May 1988 Nigeria Emeka Nwajiobi Retired http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/GreatHatters/0,,10372~218956,00.html Luton Town F.C. Emeka Nwajiobi 21 May 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080820115359/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/GreatHatters/0%2C%2C10372~218956%2C00.html 20 August 2008 Loans out DatePlayerToEnd dateNotes 1 March 1988 England Sean Farrell Colchester United 16 May 1988 See also 1987–88 in English football Footnotes A. whitehartlane The FA Cup semi-final against Wimbledon on 9 April 1988 was played at White Hart Lane, home of Tottenham Hotspur. B. filbertstreet 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. wembley 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. aet 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. weirfee The £230,000 fee that brought Mickey Weir to Luton Town from Hibernian was set by a tribunal. References General Player and match statistics sourced from: The Definitive Luton Town F.C. Soccerdata Steve Bailey December 1997 1-899468-10-2 Match statistics sourced from: Luton Town 1987-1988 : Results http://www.statto.com/football/teams/luton-town/1987-1988/results Statto 21 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20120216061914/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/luton-town/1987-1988/results 16 February 2012 live Specific Category:Luton Town F.C. seasons Luton Town