# 1988–89 Norwich City F.C. season

During the 1988–89 English football season, Norwich City competed in the Football League First Division.

## Season summary

Norwich were tipped by many to struggle during the season, but shocked the rest of the First Division by going top in September; by the end of October, they held a six-point lead over Arsenal, having played a game more. The lead at the top was maintained until December, finished the season in fourth – until 1993, this was their highest ever league placing. They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, losing to Everton, which had made them unlikely contenders for the double of the league title and FA Cup this season – an accolade which had only previously been achieved five times in a whole century of league football in England.
Norwich's fourth place in the league saw them finish only behind champions Arsenal, runners-up Liverpool and third placed Nottingham Forest. They finished above a number of higher-spending and traditionally better-supported and more successful clubs including Everton, Manchester United and relegated Newcastle United.
Stars of the season included goalkeeper Bryan Gunn, defender Andy Linighan, midfielder Mike Phelan, winger Dale Gordon and striker Robert Fleck. However, it was the last season at Carrow Road for Phelan, who was then sold to Manchester United.

## Squad

    Squad at end of season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | GK | SCO | Bryan Gunn |
| — | DF | ENG | Ian Butterworth (vice-captain) |
| — | DF | ENG | Ian Culverhouse |
| — | DF | ENG | Andy Linighan |
| — | DF | WAL | Mark Bowen |
| — | MF | ENG | Paul Cook |
| — | MF | ENG | Ian Crook |
| — | MF | ENG | Ruel Fox |
| — | MF | ENG | Dale Gordon |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | ENG | Mike Phelan (captain) |
| — | MF | ENG | Trevor Putney |
| — | MF | WAL | Jeremy Goss |
| — | MF | IRL | Andy Townsend |
| — | FW | ENG | Robert Rosario |
| — | FW | WAL | Malcolm Allen |
| — | FW | SCO | Robert Fleck |
| — | FW | ENG | Dean Coney |
| — | GK | ENG | Jon Sheffield |

### Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | FW | ENG | Alan Taylor (retired) |

### Youth team

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | GK | ENG | Nick Brown |
| — | GK | NZL | Jason Batty |
| — | DF | ENG | Daryl Sutch |
| — | DF | ENG | Adrian Pennock |
| — | DF | ENG | Robert Ullathorne |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | DF | ENG | Jason Minett |
| — | MF | ENG | David Smith |
| — | FW | ENG | Robert Taylor |
| — | FW | ENG | Lee Power |

## Transfers
### In

* Andy Townsend – Southampton, £300,000, 31 August 1988
* Malcolm Allen - Watford, £175,000
* Paul Cook - Wigan Athletic, £73,000
* Dean Coney - QPR, £350,000
* Mike Flynn, Oldham Athletic, £100,000

### Out

* Kevin Drinkell – Rangers, £500,000
* Wayne Biggins - Man City, £160,000
* Tony Spearing - Leiscester City, £100,000
* Kenny Brown – Plymouth Argyle

## Final league table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 2 | Liverpool | 38 | 22 | 10 | 6 | 65 | 28 | +37 | 76 | Disqualified from the European Cup Winners' Cup |
| 3 | Nottingham Forest | 38 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 64 | 43 | +21 | 64 | Disqualified from the UEFA Cup |
| 4 | Norwich City | 38 | 17 | 11 | 10 | 48 | 45 | +3 | 62 | Disqualified from the UEFA Cup |
| 5 | Derby County | 38 | 17 | 7 | 14 | 40 | 38 | +2 | 58 | |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 60 | 46 | +14 | 57 | |
* ↑ Liverpool would have qualified as FA Cup winners.
* ↑ Nottingham Forest would have qualified as League Cup winners.

## Awards

* Barry Butler Memorial Trophy for Norwich City F.C. Player of the Year: Dale Gordon