Sherpa Van Trophy 1987-88 
Winners: Wolverhampton Wanderers Runners-up: Burnley Winners from previous season: Mansfield Town Preliminary round
| Northern section
| | Group 1 | | 13 October 1987 | Rochdale | 0 | - | 0 | Tranmere Rovers | 920 | Spotland, Rochdale | | 27 October 1987 | Tranmere Rovers | 1 | - | 2 | Burnley | 1,801 | Prenton Park, Birkenhead | | 24 November 1987 | Burnley | 3 | - | 2 | Rochdale | 2,677 | Turf Moor, Burnley | | Final Group 1 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Burnley | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 6 | +2 | | 2 | Rochdale | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | -1 | | 3 | Tranmere Rovers | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | -1 |
| Group 2
| | 13 October 1987 | Carlisle United | 2 | - | 1 | Chester City | 1,418 | Brunton Park, Carlisle | | 28 October 1987 | Chester City | 2 | - | 1 | Blackpool | 1,226 | Sealand Road, Chester | | 24 November 1987 | Blackpool | 0 | - | 1 | Carlisle United | 1,491 | Bloomfield Road, Blackpool | | Final Group 2 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Carlisle United | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6 | +2 | | 2 | Chester City | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | | 3 | Blackpool | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | -2 |
| Group 3
| | 13 October 1987 | Bolton Wanderers | 0 | - | 0 | Preston North End | 3,478 | Burnden Park, Bolton | | 27 October 1987 | Preston North End | 5 | - | 2 | Stockport County | 1,968 | Deepdale, Preston | | 24 November 1987 | Stockport County | 1 | - | 3 | Bolton Wanderers | 2,123 | Edgeley Park, Stockport | | Final Group 3 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Preston North End | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | +3 | | 2 | Bolton Wanderers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | +1 | | 3 | Stockport County | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 0 | -5 |
| Group 4
| | 13 October 1987 | Wigan Athletic | 2 | - | 2 | Crewe Alexandra | 1,552 | Springfield Park, Wigan | | 24 November 1987 | Bury | 5 | - | 2 | Wigan Athetic | 1,624 | Gigg Lane, Bury | | 4 December 1987 | Crewe Alexandra | 0 | - | 0 | Bury | 1,617 | Gresty Road, Crewe | | Final Group 4 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Bury | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4 | +3 | | 2 | Crewe Alexandra | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | | 3 | Wigan Athletic | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1 | -3 |
| Group 5
| | 13 October 1987 | York City | 3 | - | 4 | Darlington | 1,296 | Bootham Crescent, York | | 24 November 1987 | Chesterfield | 2 | - | 0 | York City | 1,197 | Recreation Ground, Chesterfield | | 5 December 1987 | Darlington | 2 | - | 1 | Chesterfield | 888 | Feethams, Darlington | | Final Group 5 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Darlington | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 6 | +2 | | 2 | Chesterfield | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | +1 | | 3 | York City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 0 | -3 |
| Group 6
| | 13 October 1987 | Rotherham United | 1 | - | 0 | Scarborough | 2,161 | Millmoor Ground, Rotherham | | 28 October 1987 | Scarborough | 0 | - | 3 | Sunderland | 3,887 | Seamar Road, Scarborough | | 24 November 1987 | Sunderland | 7 | - | 1 | Rotherham United | 6,750 | Roker Park, Sunderland | | Final Group 6 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Sunderland | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 6 | +9 | | 2 | Rotherham United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 3 | -5 | | 3 | Scarborough | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -4 |
| Group 7
| | 13 October 1987 | Scunthorpe United | 2 | - | 0 | Grimsby Town | 1,710 | Old Show Ground, Scunthorpe | | 27 October 1987 | Grimsby Town | 2 | - | 1 | Halifax Town | 1,316 | Blundell Park, Cleethorpes | | 24 November 1987 | Halifax Town | 3 | - | 0 | Scunthorpe United | 686 | The Shay, Halifax | Play-off match to decide 2nd place
| | 15 December 1987 | Grimsby Town | 1 | - | 2 | Scunthorpe United | 970 | Blundell Park, Cleethorpes | | Final Group 7 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Halifax Town | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | +2 | | 2 | Scunthorpe United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -1 | | 3 | Grimsby Town | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -1 |
| Group 8
| | 13 October 1987 | Doncaster Rovers | 0 | - | 1 | Mansfield Town | 1,280 | Belle Vue Ground, Doncaster | | 27 October 1987 | Mansfield Town | 3 | - | 2 | Hartlepool United | 2,170 | Field Mill, Mansfield | | 24 November 1987 | Hartlepool United | 1 | - | 0 | Doncaster Rovers | 782 | Victoria Park, Hartlepool | | Final Group 8 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Mansfield Town | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | +2 | | 2 | Hartlepool United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | | 3 | Doncaster Rovers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -2 |
| Southern Section
| Group 1 | | 13 October 1987 | Notts County | 1 | - | 0 | Northampton Town | 2,351 | Meadow Lane, Nottingham | | 28 October 1987 | Northampton Town | 1 | - | 0 | Brentford | 3,076 | County Ground, Northampton | | 24 November 1987 | Brentford | 3 | - | 2 | Notts County | 2,005 | Griffin Park, London | | Final Group 1 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Brentford | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | | 2 | Notts County | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | | 3 | Northampton Town | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Group 2
| | 13 October 1987 | Cardiff City | 3 | - | 2 | Wrexham | 1,102 | Ninian Park,Cardiff | | 27 October 1987 | Wrexham | 2 | - | 2 | Walsall | 1,039 | Racecourse Ground, Wrexham | | 24 November 1987 | Walsall | 3 | - | 1 | Cardiff City | 2,420 | Fellows Park, Walsall | | Final Group 2 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Walsall | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 4 | +2 | | 2 | Cardiff City | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | -1 | | 3 | Wrexham | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 1 | -3 |
| Group 3
| | 13 October 1987 | Aldershot | 3 | - | 1 | Gillingham | 1,810 | Recreation Ground, Aldershot | | 27 October 1987 | Gillingham | 2 | - | 2 | Leyton Orient | 2,558 | Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham | | 24 November 1987 | Leyton Orient | 2 | - | 2 | Aldershot | 1,606 | Brisbane Road, London | | Final Group 3 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Aldershot | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 4 | +2 | | 2 | Leyton Orient | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | | 3 | Gillingham | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 1 | -2 |
| Group 4 | | 13 October 1987 | Colchester United | 3 | - | 2 | Peterborough United | 912 | Layer Road, Colchester | | 24 November 1987 | Cambridge United | 0 | - | 0 | Colchester United | 857 | Abbey Stadium, Cambridge | | 1 December 1987 | Peterborough United | 3 | - | 0 | Cambridge United | 1,200 | London Road, Peterborough | | Final Group 4 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Colchester United | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | +1 | | 2 | Peterborough United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 3 | +2 | | 3 | Cambridge United | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | -3 |
| | Group 5 | | 13 October 1987 | Torquay United | 2 | - | 0 | Bristol Rovers | 1,677 | Plainmoor, Torquay | | 28 October 1987 | Bristol Rovers | 0 | - | 2 | Hereford United | 2,158 | Twerton Park, Bath | | 25 November 1987 | Hereford United | 0 | - | 2 | Torquay United | 1,357 | Edgar Street, Hereford | | Final Group 5 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Torquay United | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | +4 | | 2 | Hereford United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | | 3 | Bristol Rovers | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -4 |
| Group 6
| | 13 October 1987 | Newport County | 2 | - | 0 | Port Vale | 569 | Somerton Park, Newport | | 26 October 1987 | Port Vale | 2 | - | 0 | Exeter City | 2,176 | Vale Park, Burslem | | 24 November 1987 | Exeter City | 0 | - | 1 | Newport County | 1,006 | St James's Park, Exeter | | Final Group 6 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Newport County | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | +3 | | 2 | Port Vale | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | | 3 | Exeter City | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | -3 |
| Group 7
| | 13 October 1987 | Southend United | 1 | - | 0 | Fulham | 1,442 | Roots Hall, Southend-on-Sea | | 27 October 1987 | Fulham | 1 | - | 6 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2,272 | Craven Cottage, London | | 25 November 1987 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 3 | - | 2 | Southend United | 3,565 | Goldstone Ground, Brighton | | Final Group 7 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | +2 | | 2 | Southend United | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | | 3 | Fulham | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | -6 |
| Group 8
| | 27 October 1987 | Swansea City | 1 | - | 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2,886 | Vetch Field, Swansea | | 10 November 1987 | Bristol City | 2 | - | 0 | Swansea City | 5,037 | Ashton Gate, Bristol | | 24 November 1987 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3 | - | 1 | Bristol City | 5,147 | Molineux, Wolverhampton | | Final Group 8 table | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | Goal Diff | | 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 | +2 | | 2 | Bristol City | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | | 3 | Swansea City | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | -2 |
| First round | Northern section | | 19 January 1988 | Burnley | 1 | - | 0 | Chester City | 3,436 | Turf Moor, Burnley | | 19 January 1988 | Bury | 1 | - | 0 | Bolton Wanderers | 3,796 | Gigg Lane, Bury | | 19 January 1988 | Halifax Town | 2 | - | 1 | Chesterfield | 1,001 | The Shay, Halifax (aet) | | 19 January 1988 | Mansfield Town | 1 | - | 0 | Scunthorpe United | 3.637 | Field Mill, Mansfield | | 19 January 1988 | Preston North End | 3 | - | 1 | Rochdale | 2,983 | Deepdale, Preston | | 19 January 1988 | Sunderland | 1 | - | 0 | Crewe Alexandra | 8,881 | Roker Park, Sunderland | | 26 January 1988 | Darlington | 3 | - | 2 | Rotherham United | 1,354 | Feethams, Darlington | | 3 February 1988 | Carlisle United | 0 | - | 2 | Hartlepool United | 1,433 | Brunton Park, Carlisle | Southern section | | 19 January 1988 | Aldershot | 1 | - | 0 | Bristol City | 2,662 | Recreation Ground, Aldershot (aet) | | 19 January 1988 | Colchester United (won 6-5 on pens.) | 1 | - | 1 | Leyton Orient | 1,351 | Layer Road, Colchester (aet) | | 19 January 1988 | Newport County | 2 | - | 3 | Hereford United | 1,232 | Somerton Park, Newport | | 19 January 1988 | Torquay United | 1 | - | 0 | Port Vale | 2,624 | Plainmoor, Torquay | | 19 January 1988 | Walsall | 1 | - | 2 | Peterborough United | 2,894 | Fellows Park, Walsall | | 19 January 1988 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4 | - | 0 | Brentford | 6,298 | Molineux, Wolverhampton | | 20 January 1988 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 4 | - | 2 | Southend United | 6,654 | Goldstone Ground, Brighton | | 20 January 1988 | Notts County | 2 | - | 0 | Cardiff City | 2,704 | Meadow Lane, Nottingham | | Quarter-finals | | Northern section | | 9 February 1988 | Bury | 0 | - | 1 | Burnley | 4,672 | Gigg Lane, Bury | | 9 February 1988 | Sunderland | 0 | - | 1 | Hartlepool United | 8,976 | Roker Park, Sunderland | | 16 February 1988 | Preston North End | 2 | - | 1 | Mansfield Town | 5,332 | Deepdale, Preston | | 18 February 1988 | Darlington | 1 | - | 2 | Halifax Town | 1,510 | Feethams, Darlington | Southern section | | 9 February 1988 | Colchester United | 2 | - | 3 | Notts County | 1,564 | Layer Road, Colchester | | 9 February 1988 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 4 | - | 0 | Peterborough United | 6,155 | Molineux, Wolverhampton | | 10 February 1988 | Hereford United | 0 | - | 1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 2,345 | Edgar Street, Hereford (aet) | | 16 February 1988 | Aldershot | 0 | - | 1 | Torquay United | 2,526 | Recreation Ground, Aldershot | Semi-Finals | Northern section | | 8 March 1988 | Burnley (won 5-3 on pens.) | 0 | - | 0 | Halifax Town | 10,222 | Turf Moor, Burnley (aet) | | 9 March 1988 | Hartlepool United | 0 | - | 2 | Preston North End | 4,989 | Victoria Park, Hartlepool | Southern section | | 8 March 1988 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1 | - | 0 | Torquay United | 11,039 | Molineux, Wolverhampton | | 9 March 1988 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 1 | - | 5 | Notts County | 8,499 | Goldstone Ground, Brighton | Area Finals | Northern section: 1st leg | | 12 April 1988 | Burnley | 0 | - | 0 | Preston North End | 15,680 | Turf Moor, Burnley | | Southern section: 1st leg | | 12 April 1988 | Notts County | 1 | - | 1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 10,041 | Meadow Lane, Nottingham | | Northern section: 2nd leg | | 19 April 1988 | Preston North End | 1 | - | 3 | Burnley | 17,592 | Deepdale, Preston (aet) | | (Burnley win 3-1 on aggregate) | Southern section: 2nd leg | | 19 April 1988 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3 | - | 0 | Notts County | 18,413 | Molineux, Wolverhampton | (Wolverhampton Wanderers win 4-1 on aggregate) | National final | | 29 May 1988 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2 | - | 0 | Burnley | 80,841 | Wembley Stadium, London |
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