For the 1987–88 West Ham United F.C. season in English football, West Ham United finished 16th in the league.

Season summary Again John Lyall waited until three quarters of the season had passed before bringing any new signings to the club. Even so, the two players he did eventually bring in, Julian Dicks and Leroy Rosenior, would play a major part in helping the club to just avoid relegation for the second season running.

Alan Dickens had to play most of the season as a striker as Frank McAvennie had signed for Celtic without a replacement being found until Rosenior's arrival.

West Ham finally finished in 16th place in the First Division.

Stewart Robson, a midfielder, won the club player of the year award, although Tony Cottee continued to score the most goals, with 13 in the league and 15 in all competitions. However, Cottee would be sold to Everton for a national record £2.2 million by the start of the following season, leaving manager Lyall with a big gap to fill in the forward positions as he had lost his two highest goalscorers within a year of each other.

League table

Results West Ham United's score comes first

Football League First Division DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 15 August 1987 Queens Park RangersH0–322,881 22 August 1987 Luton TownA2–218,073Brady, Stewart (pen) 29 August 1987 Norwich CityH2–016,394Cottee (2) 31 August 1987 PortsmouthA1–216,104Strodder 5 September 1987 LiverpoolH1–129,865Cottee 12 September 1987 WimbledonA1–18,507Cottee 19 September 1987 Tottenham HotspurH0–127,750 26 September 1987 ArsenalA0–140,127 3 October 1987 Derby CountyH1–117,226Brady 10 October 1987 Charlton AthleticH1–115,757Ince 17 October 1987 Oxford UnitedA2–19,092Caton (o.g.), Cottee 25 October 1987 Manchester UnitedH1–119,863Stewart (pen) 31 October 1987 WatfordA2–114,427Dickens, Cottee 7 November 1987 Sheffield WednesdayH0–116,277 14 November 1987 EvertonA1–329,405Hilton 21 November 1987 Nottingham ForestH3–217,216Cottee (2), Stewart (pen) 28 November 1987 Coventry CityA0–016,740 5 December 1987 SouthamptonH2–114,975Keen, Dickens 12 December 1987 ChelseaA1–122,850Parris 19 December 1987 Newcastle UnitedH2–118,679Robson, Ince 26 December 1987 WimbledonH1–218,605Stewart (pen) 28 December 1987 Tottenham HotspurA1–239,456Hilton 1 January 1988 Norwich CityA1–420,069Cottee 2 January 1988 Luton TownH1–116,716Ince 16 January 1988 Queens Park RangersA1–014,509Dickens 6 February 1988 LiverpoolA0–042,049 13 February 1988 PortsmouthH1–118,639Cottee 27 February 1988 Derby CountyA0–116,301 5 March 1988 Oxford UnitedH1–114,980Ward 12 March 1988 Charlton AthleticA0–38,118 19 March 1988 WatfordH1–016,051Rosenior 26 March 1988 Manchester UnitedA1–337,269Rosenior 2 April 1988 Sheffield WednesdayA1–218,435Rosenior 4 April 1988 EvertonH0–021,195 12 April 1988 ArsenalH0–126,746 20 April 1988 Nottingham ForestA0–015,775 23 April 1988 Coventry CityH1–117,733Cottee 30 April 1988 SouthamptonA1–215,652Cottee 7 May 1988 ChelseaH4–128,521Rosenior (2), Hilton, Cottee 14 May 1988 Newcastle UnitedA1–223,731Robson

FA Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR39 January 1988 Charlton AthleticH2–022,043Brady, CotteeR430 January 1988 Queens Park RangersA1–323,651Cottee

League Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR2 1st leg22 September 1987 BarnsleyA0–010,330R2 2nd leg6 October 1987 BarnsleyH2–5aet (lost 2–5 on agg)12,403Robson, Keen

Squad

NumberPlayerPositionLge AppsLge GlsFAC AppsFAC GlsLC AppsLC GlsDate SignedPrevious clubWest Ham United 1987-88 First XI1Tom McAlisterGK39221981Bristol Rovers2Ray StewartRB3342September 1979Dundee United3George ParrisLB27(3)121985Academy4Billy Bonds (Captain)CB2221967Charlton Athletic5Gary StrodderCB27(3)122March 1987Lincoln City6Liam BradyLM21(1)2212March 1987Ascoli7Mark WardRM37122August 1985Oldham Athletic8Alan DickensF25(3)310 (1)1982Academy9Paul InceCM26(2)30 (1)21986Academy10Tony CotteeCF4013222September 1982Academy11Stewart Robson (Hammer of the Year)CM372221January 1987ArsenalImportant Players6Kevin KeenM19(4)1111986Academy6Tony GaleCB17(1)2August 1983Fulham5Alvin MartinCB152July 1976Academy3Tommy McQueenLB10(2)11 (1)March 1987Aberdeen5Paul HiltonCB9 (5)31 (1)0 (1)1984Bury9Leroy RoseniorCF95March 1988FulhamOther Players8Frank McAvennieCF81June 1985St Mirren3Julian DicksLB8March 1988Birmingham City2Steve PottsD7 (1)11May 1984Academy12Eamonn DolanCF1 (3)1986Academy1Phil ParkesGK1February 1979Queens Park Rangers6Alan DevonshireLM1October 1976Southall4Neil OrrCM1January 1982Morton12Stuart SlaterM/F0 (2)1987Academy

References