42-630: The Football League Centenary Trophy (also known as the Mercantile Credit Centenary Trophy for sponsorship reasons) was an English football tournament held during the 1988–89 season to celebrate the 100th birthday of The Football League . The competition was played on a knockout basis between the top eight sides from the Football League First Division the previous season, with the final between Arsenal and Manchester United taking place at
84-476: A First Division side by drawing 2–2 at Aston Villa. Forwards John Aldridge , Alan Smith, and Tony Cottee score opening day hat-tricks as Liverpool beat Charlton Athletic 3–0, Arsenal move to top position by thrashing FA Cup holders Wimbledon 5–1, while Everton thump Newcastle United 4–0. Tottenham Hotspur's opening fixture at home to Coventry City was postponed following the Londoners' failure to obtain
126-567: A 1–1 draw by Luton at Kenilworth Road . Watford go top of the Second Division with a 4–0 home win over Barnsley. Mirandinha (footballer, born 1959) Francisco Ernandi Lima da Silva (born 2 July 1959), better known as Mirandinha , is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a striker . Mirandinha was born in Brasilia . He had unsuccessful early spells at Ceará and Fortaleza , before finding some success at
168-483: A 2–1 away win over West Bromwich Albion. Bottom-of-the-table Birmingham lose a thrilling game at home to Barnsley 5–3. 2 October 1988 – Aston Villa sell defender Neale Cooper to Rangers for £300,000. 7 October 1988 – Derby County manager Arthur Cox dismisses speculation that he will take over at Leeds United. 8 October 1988 – Norwich return to the top of the First Division with a 1–0 win over Derby at
210-417: A 2–2 draw against Arsenal at Highbury , enabling Norwich to go top with a 2–0 win at Newcastle, who go bottom of the table. Southampton midfielder Glenn Cockerill suffers a broken jaw in a clash with Arsenal midfielder Paul Davis in a First Division match at Highbury which ends in a 2–2 draw. Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar is hospitalised with meningitis and is expected to be out of action until
252-434: A club record £850,000. 8 August 1988 – Graham Roberts returns to England in a £470,000 move to Chelsea from Rangers. 13 August 1988 – The first North London derby to be held at Wembley Stadium ends in a 4–0 victory for Arsenal in the friendly Wembley International Tournament ; Gunners' goalscorers are Paul Merson , Alan Smith , and Brian Marwood (2). 14 August 1988 – Arsenal beat FC Bayern Munich 3–0 to win
294-586: A contract at White Hart Lane until the end of the 1992–93 season . 12 July 1988 – The long hunt for a new Wales national football team manager ends when Swansea City manager Terry Yorath is appointed on a part-time basis. 13 July 1988 – Gordon Cowans ends his three-year spell at Bari to rejoin Aston Villa in a £250,000 deal, while Everton strengthen their midfield in a £925,000 move for Chelsea and Scotland midfielder Pat Nevin . 19 July 1988 – England defender Gary Stevens moves to Scotland in
336-408: A place in the final. The second semi-final tie, between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford was decided in extra time. A audience of just under 15,000 – "one of the smallest crowds to gather at Old Trafford for a senior fixture in many years" – saw two halves of insipid attacking football but stout defending. Newcastle came close to scoring the winner two minutes before normal time
378-407: A reporter there was "not so much pressure" on his teammates to win the competition, but noted the incentive of beating Arsenal as the winners stood to receive £ 50,000. The first half, played under drizzle, saw Arsenal score twice in four minutes to take a commanding lead before the break. Paul Davis broke the deadlock, before he turned provider and set Michael Thomas up to score their second. Once
420-442: A safety certificate for White Hart Lane . 31 August 1988 – Norwich City sign Irish midfielder Andy Townsend from Southampton for £300,000. Chelsea defender Steve Wicks retires from playing due to a back injury. 1 September 1988 – Brighton & Hove Albion , newly promoted back to the Second Division, sign Barnet defender Nicky Bissett for £115,000, a record fee for a non-league player. Richard Thompson , 24, becomes
462-514: A well-hit shot in the 50th minute. Manchester United meanwhile secured a place in the semi-finals with a 1–0 win against Everton. Gordon Strachan scored the game's only goal in the second half, heading in at the far post, with manager Alex Ferguson stating post-match: "You're waiting for your first goal of the season, you've got people like [Brian] McClair and [Mark] Hughes on the park and it comes from Gordon Strachan's head!" Newcastle United needed extra time to overcome their opponents Wimbledon;
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#1732793934899504-465: A £1 million move from Everton to Rangers in the costliest transfer involving a British defender. He is replaced at Goodison Park by Newcastle United's Neil McDonald . 20 July 1988 – After two seasons at Barcelona , Mark Hughes returns to Manchester United for a club record £1.8 million, breaking the previous record of £1.75 million that the club paid for Bryan Robson seven years ago. 25 July 1988 – Less than three weeks after Tottenham broke
546-411: Is fined a record £3,000 and banned for nine matches. 30 September 1988 – The month ends with Norwich City as surprise leaders of the First Division, two points ahead of Liverpool and newly promoted Millwall. FA Cup holders Wimbledon occupy bottom place. The Second Division promotion race is headed by Blackburn Rovers and Watford . Ipswich Town , Portsmouth, Bradford City and Oldham Athletic occupy
588-512: Is sacked as manager. Reserve team coach Colin Suggett is put in charge, with the club's board saying that he will stay in the role until the end of the season. 13 October 1988 – Ron Atkinson steps down as West Bromwich Albion manager for the second time, taking over at Atlético Madrid in Spain, in a contract worth £250,000 per year. 15 October 1988 – Millwall miss the chance to go back to
630-633: The Baseball Ground . Second Division promotion challengers Blackburn beat Crystal Palace 5–4 in a nine-goal thriller at Ewood Park . 9 October 1988 – Jackie Milburn , Newcastle's record goal scorer who helped them win three FA Cups during the 1950s, dies of cancer aged 64. 10 October 1988 – Howard Wilkinson ends six years as Sheffield Wednesday manager by agreeing to drop down a division to join Leeds United, while Willie McFaul ends his 22-year association with Newcastle United when he
672-681: The Charity Shield . John Aldridge , who missed a penalty in the FA Cup final, scores both goals for Liverpool, and John Fashanu scores for Wimbledon. 23 August 1988 – Kevin Moran leaves Manchester United on a free transfer after ten years and joins Spanish side Sporting Gijón . 26 August 1988 – Alan Ball prepares Portsmouth 's challenge for an immediate return to the First Division by paying Aston Villa £315,000 for striker Warren Aspinall . 27 August 1988 – Millwall begin their life as
714-599: The Football League Cup and Full Members' Cup . The ban on English clubs, following the Heysel Stadium disaster , was now in its fourth season and UEFA then voted for it to continue for a fifth season. In April 1989, fourteen Liverpool supporters were convicted of manslaughter relating to the disaster. The season was overshadowed by the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April 1989, which resulted in
756-560: The Old Showground to Glanford Park in the first relocation of a Football League team since Southend United moved to Roots Hall in 1955. The play-off system was slightly altered: they were now contested by the four sides just missing out on promotion, with one fewer team automatically promoted. The system has stayed in place since then (although it was not until the following season that Wembley Stadium began hosting finals). 4 July 1988 – Uruguayan Danny Bergara , 46, becomes
798-773: The 'third club' in Fortaleza city, Ferroviário . He then moved to play for Ponte Preta . As of 1981 he was playing for Botafogo in the Taça de Ouro . Mirandinha signed for Newcastle United in 1987 for £575,000, becoming the first Brazilian to play in English football. He made his debut in September 1987, in a 1–1 draw away to Norwich City . He left Newcastle in 1989, returning to his former club Palmeiras . In 1991, he moved from Palmeiras to join Belenenses , although he
840-662: The 1987–88 and 1988–89 seasons with a number of events; an exhibition game between a Football League XI and a World XI in August 1987, followed by a Centenary Friendly Tournament eight months later. The final centrepiece was the Football League Centenary Trophy, a one-off tournament which commenced at the start of the 1988–89 season. The clubs which qualified for the tournament were the previous season's top eight, as follows: The quarter-finals were staged over three days in August 1988. Liverpool recorded
882-560: The First Division with a 3–1 home win over Tottenham, which sends the visitors into the bottom three. West Ham remain in the bottom three despite a 2–0 win over Newcastle, which sends the Tynesiders back to the bottom of the table. Chelsea's Second Division surge continues with a 5–0 home win over Plymouth. 25 October 1988 – Tottenham remain in the bottom three after losing 2–1 at home to Southampton, who climb from tenth place to fifth. Arsenal's title hopes are dented when they are held to
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#1732793934899924-623: The Wembley International Tournament on goal difference. 17 August 1988 – Nottingham Forest sign England midfielder Steve Hodge from Tottenham Hotspur for £550,000. 18 August 1988 – After an unhappy season at Juventus , Ian Rush returns to Liverpool for £2.8 million. It is the third time in two months that the national transfer fee record has been broken. 20 August 1988 – Liverpool gain revenge for their FA Cup final defeat by Wimbledon in May by beating them 2–1 in
966-402: The biggest win of the round, defeating Nottingham Forest 4–1 at a half-capacity Anfield . The home side rested striker John Aldridge and started Ian Rush who player-manager Kenny Dalglish said "...needed some matches. We might as well get him as fit as we can, as quickly as we can." All of Liverpool's four goals came in the second half; Barry Venison set them on their way to victory with
1008-554: The birthplace of League football, Aston Villa 's home ground, Villa Park on 9 October 1988. Goals from Paul Davis and Michael Thomas gave Arsenal a 2–1 victory, with Clayton Blackmore the scorer for United. Despite most of the country's leading clubs being involved, crowds for the Centenary Trophy were generally disappointing and only the semi-final match between Arsenal and Liverpool attracted more than 25,000. The Football League marked its centenary during
1050-609: The deaths of 97 Liverpool fans in a crowd crush at the FA Cup semi-final . On 15 April, a crowd crush at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough killed 94 people and injured more than 300. A 95th Liverpool supporter died in hospital four days later. The death toll became 96 in March 1993, when Tony Bland died after being in a coma for nearly four years, and 97 in July 2021. A subsequent inquiry into
1092-475: The first foreign manager in English football when he takes over at Fourth Division club Rochdale . 5 July 1988 – After three years in Italy with Bari , former Aston Villa striker Paul Rideout returns to England in a £430,000 move to Southampton . 7 July 1988 – Tottenham Hotspur complete a British transfer record £2 million deal for 21-year-old Newcastle United midfielder Paul Gascoigne . Gascoigne signs
1134-531: The influence of alcohol , and is sentenced to three months in prison. 20 October 1988 – Liverpool sign 20-year-old defender David Burrows from West Bromwich Albion for £550,000. 21 October 1988 – Wimbledon pay a club record £500,000 for Reading defender Keith Curle . 22 October 1988 – Southampton make history by fielding three brothers in the same team in their 2–1 league defeat to Sheffield Wednesday: 24-year-old Danny Wallace lines up alongside twin brothers Rod and Ray . Norwich maintain their lead of
1176-477: The major development in the modern game; the swiftness that English supporters demand and that excites overseas viewers." In his match report, Steve Curry of the Daily Express summarised: "The League’s centenary celebrations have, overall, been a shambles, but this rousing finale at least left one worthwhile memory." General Specific 1988%E2%80%9389 in English football The 1988–89 season
1218-572: The national transfer record, a new record is set when Everton complete the signing of West Ham United 's 23-year-old striker Tony Cottee for £2.2 million. 28 July 1988 – Billy Bonds , the oldest player in the Football League at 41, announces his retirement as a player but will remain with West Ham United as youth team coach. 1 August 1988 – West Ham United sign striker David Kelly from Walsall for £600,000. Newcastle United sign defender Andy Thorn from FA Cup winners Wimbledon for
1260-419: The new year. 24 September – Norwich drop points for the first time this season but remain top of the First Division with a 2–2 draw at home to third placed Millwall. 28 September 1988 – Wimbledon sign Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Hans Segers for £180,000. Leeds United , fourth from bottom in the Second Division, sack manager Billy Bremner after three years at the helm. 29 September 1988 – Paul Davis
1302-422: The promotion play-off places, while pre-season promotion favourites Leeds United occupy a lowly 18th place. 1 October 1988 – Millwall go top of the league in their first season in the First Division 3–2 win over Queens Park Rangers. Norwich's 3–1 home defeat to Charlton pushes them down to second place. West Ham go bottom of the division with a 4–1 home defeat to Arsenal. Ipswich go top of the Second Division with
Football League Centenary Trophy - Misplaced Pages Continue
1344-528: The rain stopped and United introduced Strachan on to the field, both sides played at a frantic pace. United ended the half strongly, and scored with six minutes of normal time remaining through Clayton Blackmore . Strachan almost equalised but for Lee Dixon 's intervention on the goal line. Journalist Ian Ridley praised the end-to-end nature of the final and felt it showcased the best of English football, writing in The Guardian : "[It] illustrated perfectly
1386-405: The season with a 1–0 home win over Middlesbrough. 12 September 1988 – Nearly a decade after leaving them for Sunderland , goalkeeper Chris Turner returns to Sheffield Wednesday in a £175,000 move from Manchester United. 16 September 1988 – Andy Gray returns to his native Scotland after 13 years to sign for Rangers. 17 September – Southampton drop points for the first time this season with
1428-406: The tie was settled by Michael O'Neill 's goal in the 109th minute. Arsenal completed the semi-final line up with a 2–0 win away at Queens Park Rangers. The semi-finals were played over two days in September 1988. Arsenal faced Liverpool at their home ground, Highbury . Injuries to eight first-team players, notably goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar , defender Alan Hansen , and winger John Barnes meant
1470-425: The top of the First Division when Coventry hold them to a goalless draw at Highfield Road . A West Midlands derby at St Andrew's sees West Bromwich Albion beat their local rivals Birmingham City 4–1. Chelsea boost their hopes of an immediate return to the First Division by beating Oldham 4–1 at Boundary Park . 17 October 1988 – Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby is found guilty of reckless driving and driving under
1512-512: The tragedy led to the Taylor Report , in which Lord Justice Taylor of Gosforth ordered that all top division clubs should have all-seater stadiums from the 1994–95 season onwards. One of the biggest changes in the history of football on television began in this season, as ITV gained exclusive rights to show Football League matches, both in live and highlights form. The rights cost £11m, up from £5.2m in 1983. Most of their coverage
1554-421: The visitors fielded an unfamiliar side, one which required the involvement of Dalglish towards the end of the tie. Arsenal took the lead just after the half-hour mark when a corner was flicked on by Alan Smith and Perry Groves was in space to nudge the ball past Mike Hooper . Liverpool equalised in the second half through Steve Staunton , but Brian Marwood 's volley restored Arsenal's lead and they held on for
1596-544: The youngest chairman in the Football League when he takes over at Queens Park Rangers in place of David Bulstrode . 10 September 1988 – In the North London derby at White Hart Lane , Arsenal beat Tottenham 3–2. Southampton go top of the First Division after three games with a 2–1 home win over Luton. Norwich hold the First Division's other remaining 100% record by beating QPR 1–0 at Carrow Road . Bryan Robson helps Manchester United achieve their first goal and win of
1638-606: Was of live matches on Sunday afternoons of top-flight games. They would hold the exclusive rights until 1992, when they lost coverage of the newly formed Premier League to Sky . It ended a long-term partnership with the BBC , who in turn struck up a partnership with the FA for exclusive coverage of the FA Cup . The BBC did not show another live English Football League match until 2009 and would not show another live top-flight football league match until 2020. Scunthorpe United relocated from
1680-566: Was only there for a short time, playing three Portuguese League matches. By late February he was playing for Corinthians , and he scored two goals for them in the 1991 Copa Libertadores . After leaving Corinthians he played for Fortaleza , and he then had spells in Japan with Shimizu S-Pulse and Shonan Bellmare . Mirandinha won four caps for the Brazil national team , all in 1987, with his only international goal coming against England in
1722-482: Was the 109th season of competitive football in England. The season saw Arsenal win their first league title for 18 years, in dramatic fashion, as they beat defending champions Liverpool 2–0 at Anfield to clinch the title on number of goals scored. Liverpool had won the FA Cup six days earlier and for the second season running missed out on a unique second double . Third placed Nottingham Forest lifted both
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1764-480: Was up, only for substitute Mirandinha to miss. Defender Steve Bruce scored inside 44 seconds of extra time, and ten minutes later McClair headed in to give United a 2–0 win. The tournament reached its climax on 9 October 1988, when Arsenal competed against Manchester United. The match was held at Villa Park , considered the birthplace of the Football League. Before the match United captain Bryan Robson told
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