1987–88 Wimbledon F.C. season

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 in an FA Cup final 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]

Wimbledon's kit was manufactured by Spall and sponsored 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]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  ENG Dave Beasant (captain) — GK  ENG Simon Tracey — DF  ENG Kevin Bedford — DF  ENG Peter Cawley — DF  ENG Brian Gayle — DF  ENG Clive Goodyear — DF  ENG John Scales — DF  ENG Andy Thorn — DF  ENG Eric Young[4] — DF  IRL Terry Phelan[5] — MF  ENG Alan Cork — MF  ENG Wally Downes — MF  ENG Carlton Fairweather — MF  ENG John Gannon

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  ENG Ian Hazel — MF  WAL Vinnie Jones[6] — MF  ENG Paul Miller — MF  ENG Vaughan Ryan — MF  NIR Lawrie Sanchez[7] — MF  ENG Dennis Wise — FW  ENG Laurie Cunningham — FW  ENG John Fashanu — FW  ENG Paul Fishenden — FW  ENG Terry Gibson — DF  ENG Mick Smith — DF  ENG Andy Clement — FW  ENG Andy Sayer — MF  ENG Steve Galliers

• Manager: Bobby Gould
• Assistant manager: Don Howe
• Chief scout: Ron Suart
• Youth team manager: David Kemp
• Physiotherapist: Steve Allen
• Kit man: Sid Neal, Joe Dillon