FA Cup Final 1988
Encyclopedia
The 1988 FA Cup Final took place on 14 May 1988 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Wimbledon
, unfashionable and unfancied, and Liverpool
, one of the dominant teams of the 1980s and newly-crowned league champions.
The result was one of the biggest shocks in the history
of the competition as the London
side won the Cup, 1–0, for the only time in their history.
The final is also notable as the first instance of a penalty save (by Dave Beasant
from John Aldridge
) in FA Cup Final history. Beasant was also the first goalkeeper to captain an FA Cup winning side.
This final was also the last one that would be screened by both ITV
and BBC
, something that had been the case since 1958
.
Wimbledon's victory ended Liverpool's bid for a unique second double
after they had completed their first double in 1986
.
With the exception of substitute Laurie Cunningham
(who had won honours in Spain
with Real Madrid
), it was the first time that any of the Wimbledon players had won a major trophy. In contrast, all of the Liverpool players had major honours to their name (including that season's First Division
title). Major changes to the side over the previous three seasons meant that just six of the 12 players from the 1986
FA Cup winning side were in the 1988 line-up.
Cunningham left Wimbledon after the final to play in Spain
, and died the following year in a car crash. He remains the only player from this game who is now no longer alive.
The last remaining player from the winning team was Vinnie Jones
, who left Wimbledon nearly 10 years later. John Barnes remained with Liverpool until 1997 and was their last remaining player from this game.
's looping header, from a Dennis Wise
free kick on the left, went across goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar
and into the net.
Liverpool created a host of chances, including a strike by Peter Beardsley
disallowed as the referee had already awarded a free kick to Liverpool, but were unable to find a way past Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant
. The Merseyside
rs were awarded a penalty
on the hour mark following a foul by Clive Goodyear
, though replays showed that Goodyear won the ball cleanly, but John Aldridge
's shot was saved by Beasant's diving save to his left, thus becoming the first keeper to save a penalty in a Wembley FA Cup final. The Londoners survived more pressure from Liverpool to secure their first major trophy and a notable upset in FA Cup Final history.
European Cup Winners Cup
because of the ban on English teams caused by the actions of a group of Liverpool supporters in the 1985 European Cup Final Heysel disaster
.
style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
LIVERPOOL:
GK
1
Bruce Grobbelaar
CB
2
Gary Gillespie
LB
3
Gary Ablett
RB
4
Steve Nicol
CM
5
Nigel Spackman
CB
6
Alan Hansen
(c)
CF
7
Peter Beardsley
CF
8
John Aldridge
RM
9
Ray Houghton
LM
10
John Barnes
CM
11
Steve McMahon
Substitutes:
MF
12
Craig Johnston
MF
14
Jan Mølby
Manager:
Kenny Dalglish
Round 3: Wimbledon 4–1 West Bromwich Albion
Round 4: Mansfield Town
1–2 Wimbledon
Round 5: Newcastle United
1–3 Wimbledon
Round 6: Wimbledon 2–1 Watford
Semi-final: Wimbledon 2–1 Luton Town
(at White Hart Lane
, London
)
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Round 3: Stoke City
0–0 Liverpool
Round 4: Aston Villa
0–2 Liverpool
Round 5: Everton
0–1 Liverpool
Round 6: Manchester City
0–4 Liverpool
Semi-final: Liverpool 2–1 Nottingham Forest
(at Hillsborough Stadium
, Sheffield
)
|}
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
, unfashionable and unfancied, and Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, one of the dominant teams of the 1980s and newly-crowned league champions.
The result was one of the biggest shocks in the history
History of the FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
of the competition as the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
side won the Cup, 1–0, for the only time in their history.
The final is also notable as the first instance of a penalty save (by Dave Beasant
Dave Beasant
David John "Dave" Beasant, is a retired English football goalkeeper who began his career in the late 1970s. A well-travelled player, Beasant's former clubs include Wimbledon, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wigan...
from John Aldridge
John Aldridge
John William Aldridge is a former Republic of Ireland international footballer and football manager...
) in FA Cup Final history. Beasant was also the first goalkeeper to captain an FA Cup winning side.
This final was also the last one that would be screened by both ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
and BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, something that had been the case since 1958
1958 FA Cup Final
The 1958 FA Cup Final was contested on 3 May 1958 by Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, London, in front of a crowd of almost 100,000. The referee was J. Sherlock. Bolton won 2–0, with a double by Nat Lofthouse, who scored the goals in the 3rd and 55th minutes...
.
Wimbledon's victory ended Liverpool's bid for a unique second double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
after they had completed their first double in 1986
1986 FA Cup Final
The 1986 FA Cup Final was a Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton at Wembley. The match was played seven days after Liverpool had secured the league title, with Everton finishing as runners-up...
.
With the exception of substitute Laurie Cunningham
Laurie Cunningham
Laurence Paul "Laurie" Cunningham was an England international footballer. When he joined Real Madrid, he became the first English player in the club's history....
(who had won honours in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
with Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
), it was the first time that any of the Wimbledon players had won a major trophy. In contrast, all of the Liverpool players had major honours to their name (including that season's First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
title). Major changes to the side over the previous three seasons meant that just six of the 12 players from the 1986
1986 FA Cup Final
The 1986 FA Cup Final was a Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton at Wembley. The match was played seven days after Liverpool had secured the league title, with Everton finishing as runners-up...
FA Cup winning side were in the 1988 line-up.
Cunningham left Wimbledon after the final to play in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, and died the following year in a car crash. He remains the only player from this game who is now no longer alive.
The last remaining player from the winning team was Vinnie Jones
Vinnie Jones
Vincent Peter "Vinnie" Jones is an English film actor and retired Welsh footballer.Born in Hertfordshire, England, Jones represented and captained the Welsh national football team, having qualified via a Welsh grandparent. He also previously played for Chelsea and Leeds United. As a member of the...
, who left Wimbledon nearly 10 years later. John Barnes remained with Liverpool until 1997 and was their last remaining player from this game.
Match summary
Wimbledon took the lead shortly before half-time, when Lawrie SanchezLawrie Sanchez
Lawrence Philip "Lawrie" Sanchez is a former Northern Irish football manager, and a former player. He is currently the manager of League Two side Barnet...
's looping header, from a Dennis Wise
Dennis Wise
Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United....
free kick on the left, went across goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar
Bruce Grobbelaar
Bruce David Grobbelaar is a former football goalkeeper and manager.He played for a number of clubs in a career which spanned for more than 20 years at professional level, most notably Liverpool during their dominant period in the 1980s and early 1990s.-Early years:In his teenage years, Grobbelaar...
and into the net.
Liverpool created a host of chances, including a strike by Peter Beardsley
Peter Beardsley
Peter Andrew Beardsley MBE is an English former footballer who played between 1979 and 1999. He once set a record transfer fee in the game and represented his country 59 times between 1986 and 1996, once as captain...
disallowed as the referee had already awarded a free kick to Liverpool, but were unable to find a way past Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant
Dave Beasant
David John "Dave" Beasant, is a retired English football goalkeeper who began his career in the late 1970s. A well-travelled player, Beasant's former clubs include Wimbledon, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wigan...
. The Merseyside
Merseyside
Merseyside is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 1,365,900. It encompasses the metropolitan area centred on both banks of the lower reaches of the Mersey Estuary, and comprises five metropolitan boroughs: Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Wirral, and the city of Liverpool...
rs were awarded a penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
on the hour mark following a foul by Clive Goodyear
Clive Goodyear
Clive Goodyear is a former football defender. He started his career at Luton Town, after 5 years with the Hatters moved to Plymouth Argyle and after 3 seasons with Plymouth he moved to Premier League side Wimbledon...
, though replays showed that Goodyear won the ball cleanly, but John Aldridge
John Aldridge
John William Aldridge is a former Republic of Ireland international footballer and football manager...
's shot was saved by Beasant's diving save to his left, thus becoming the first keeper to save a penalty in a Wembley FA Cup final. The Londoners survived more pressure from Liverpool to secure their first major trophy and a notable upset in FA Cup Final history.
Europe
However, Wimbledon could not compete in the 1988–89UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1988-89
The season 1988-89 of the European Cup Winners' Cup was won for the third time by Barcelona in the final against Italian entrants Sampdoria. The same two sides reached the final of the European Cup 1991–92, which Barcelona also won. Wimbledon F.C...
European Cup Winners Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
because of the ban on English teams caused by the actions of a group of Liverpool supporters in the 1985 European Cup Final Heysel disaster
Heysel Stadium disaster
The Heysel Stadium disaster occurred on 29 May 1985 when escaping fans were pressed against a wall in the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, as a result of rioting before the start of the 1985 European Cup Final between Liverpool of England and Juventus of Italy...
.
Match details
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> | WIMBLEDON: | |||
| GK | 1 | Dave Beasant Dave Beasant David John "Dave" Beasant, is a retired English football goalkeeper who began his career in the late 1970s. A well-travelled player, Beasant's former clubs include Wimbledon, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth, Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Wigan... (c) |
||
| RB | 2 | Clive Goodyear Clive Goodyear Clive Goodyear is a former football defender. He started his career at Luton Town, after 5 years with the Hatters moved to Plymouth Argyle and after 3 seasons with Plymouth he moved to Premier League side Wimbledon... |
||
| LB | 3 | Terry Phelan Terry Phelan Terrence "Terry" Phelan is a former footballer who played as a left-back for a number of clubs, including Leeds United, Swansea City, Wimbledon, Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton and Fulham... |
||
| CM | 4 |  Vinnie JonesVinnie Jones Vincent Peter "Vinnie" Jones is an English film actor and retired Welsh footballer.Born in Hertfordshire, England, Jones represented and captained the Welsh national football team, having qualified via a Welsh grandparent. He also previously played for Chelsea and Leeds United. As a member of the... |
||
| CB | 5 | Eric Young Eric Young (footballer) Eric Young is a Welsh retired footballer, who was a strong, commanding centre half nicknamed "Ninja" due to his ever-present brown headband.... |
||
| CB | 6 | Andy Thorn Andy Thorn (footballer) Andy Thorn is a retired English footballer and the current manager of Coventry City.As a player at Wimbledon, he was part of the side that achieved a famous victory over Liverpool in the 1988 FA Cup Final... |
||
| CF | 7 | Terry Gibson Terry Gibson Terence Bradley "Terry" Gibson is an English former footballer who played as a forward for several clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Coventry City, Manchester United and Wimbledon.-Playing career:... |
||
| LM | 8 | Alan Cork Alan Cork Alan Cork is an English former professional football player. He played as a striker for several clubs, most notably Wimbledon and has held a number of managerial and coaching posts since his retirement from playing. Cork is a member of the Wimbledon Old Players Association... |
||
| CF | 9 | John Fashanu John Fashanu John "Fash" Fashanu is a British television presenter and ex-footballer of Nigerian and Guyanese descent. In his former career, he was a centre-forward, who scored 134 league goals in a career lasting 17 years... |
||
| CM | 10 |  Lawrie SanchezLawrie Sanchez Lawrence Philip "Lawrie" Sanchez is a former Northern Irish football manager, and a former player. He is currently the manager of League Two side Barnet... |
||
| RM | 11 | Dennis Wise Dennis Wise Dennis Frank Wise is an English former football manager and player, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United.... |
||
| Substitutes: | ||||
| DF | 12 | John Scales John Scales John Robert Scales is an English former professional football player who played as a central defender.-Bristol Rovers:... |
||
| FW | 14 | Laurie Cunningham Laurie Cunningham Laurence Paul "Laurie" Cunningham was an England international footballer. When he joined Real Madrid, he became the first English player in the club's history.... |
||
| Manager: | ||||
| Bobby Gould Bobby Gould Robert Anthony "Bobby" Gould is an English former footballer and manager.-Playing career:Born in Coventry, Gould started his career at Coventry City, making his debut for the club whilst still an apprentice at the age of 16. He did not sign professional until June 1964... |
||||
Bruce GrobbelaarBruce Grobbelaar
Bruce David Grobbelaar is a former football goalkeeper and manager.He played for a number of clubs in a career which spanned for more than 20 years at professional level, most notably Liverpool during their dominant period in the 1980s and early 1990s.-Early years:In his teenage years, Grobbelaar...
Gary GillespieGary Gillespie
Gary Thompson Gillespie was a defender who played football for Liverpool through much of their dominant period of the 1980s.-Early career:...
Gary Ablett Steve NicolSteve Nicol
Stephen "Steve" Nicol is a Scottish former professional footballer. A utility player who played in the all-conquering Liverpool team of the 1980s, he was most recently coach of New England Revolution, and was the longest-tenured head coach in MLS to coach a single club.As a player, Nicol was a...
Nigel SpackmanNigel Spackman
Nigel James Spackman is an English football manager and former player. He was formerly a midfield player who was an integral part of the much-admired Liverpool team of 1988...
Alan HansenAlan Hansen
Alan David Hansen is a Scottish former football player and BBC television football pundit. He played as a central defender for Partick Thistle, Liverpool and Scotland...
(c)
Peter BeardsleyPeter Beardsley
Peter Andrew Beardsley MBE is an English former footballer who played between 1979 and 1999. He once set a record transfer fee in the game and represented his country 59 times between 1986 and 1996, once as captain...
John AldridgeJohn Aldridge
John William Aldridge is a former Republic of Ireland international footballer and football manager...
Ray HoughtonRay Houghton
Raymond James "Ray" Houghton is a retired Scottish-born footballer who represented the Republic of Ireland at international level, qualifying through his Irish father...
John BarnesJohn Barnes (footballer)
John Charles Bryan Barnes MBE is an English football manager and former player.During his playing career, Barnes had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup twice, and playing for England 79 times...
Steve McMahonSteve McMahon
Stephen Joseph McMahon is an English former football midfielder who most notably played for Liverpool in the late 1980s...
Craig JohnstonCraig Johnston
Craig Johnston is a former football player who was one of the first Australians to make a major impact in the English game. He is remembered for his time spent with Liverpool throughout the 1980s...
Jan MølbyJan Mølby
Jan Mølby is a Danish former international footballer who spent much of his professional football career at English club Liverpool.- Club career :...
Kenny DalglishKenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
MATCH RULES
|
Wimbledon
Home teams listed first.Round 3: Wimbledon 4–1 West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
Round 4: Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
1–2 Wimbledon
Round 5: Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
1–3 Wimbledon
Round 6: Wimbledon 2–1 Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
Semi-final: Wimbledon 2–1 Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
(at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
)
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Liverpool
Home teams listed first.Round 3: Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
0–0 Liverpool
- Replay: Liverpool 1–0 Stoke City
Round 4: Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
0–2 Liverpool
Round 5: Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
0–1 Liverpool
Round 6: Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
0–4 Liverpool
Semi-final: Liverpool 2–1 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
(at Hillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium is the home of Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield, England. Football has been played at the ground since it was opened on 2 September 1899, when Wednesday moved from their original ground at Olive Grove. Today it is a 39,812 capacity all-seater stadium, making it the...
, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
)
|}
External links
- Game facts at soccerbase.com
- LFC History Match Report