1987–88 Chelsea F.C. season

The 1987–88 season was Chelsea Football Club's seventy-fourth competitive season. The club suffered a difficult season, ultimately finishing 18th and being relegated after a 2-1 aggregate defeat in a two-legged playoff final to Second Division club Middlesbrough. The season represents the last time Chelsea have been relegated from the top flight of English football.

Chelsea

1987–88 season
Chairman	Ken Bates
Manager	John Hollins Bobby Campbell
Stadium	Stamford Bridge
First Division	18th
FA Cup	Fourth round
League Cup	Second round
Full Members Cup	Third round
Top goalscorer	League: Gordon Durie (12) All: Gordon Durie (20)
Highest home attendance	40,550 vs Middlesbrough (28 May 1988)
Lowest home attendance	8,501 vs Barnsley (18 November 1987)
Average home league attendance	20,407
Biggest win	4–1 v Blackburn Rovers (18 May 1988)
Biggest defeat	0–4 v Swindon Town (19 January 1988)
Home colours Away colours

Table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
16	West Ham United	40	9	15	16	40	52	−12	42
17	Charlton Athletic	40	9	15	16	38	52	−14	42
18	Chelsea (R)	40	9	15	16	50	68	−18	42	Qualified for Second Division play-offs
19	Portsmouth (R)	40	7	14	19	36	66	−30	35	Relegated to Second Division
20	Watford (R)	40	7	11	22	27	51	−24	32

Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(R) Relegated

References

• Glanvill, Rick (2006). Chelsea FC: The Official Biography – The Definitive Story of the First 100 Years. Headline Book Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-7553-1466-2.
• Hockings, Ron. 100 Years of The Blues – A Statistical History of Chelsea FC 1905–2006.

External links

• 1987–88 season at stamford-bridge.com