Really weird thing about the 1987-88 season

[Craig_H]

http://www.emfootball.co.uk/table1987-88.html

How come there were 21 teams in the top flight? I dont remember this being the case. As far as i can see, none of the other seasons had an odd number of teams in the top flight.

Any idea?

[Red_Polo]

Fairly sure it's because there ssed to be 22 and when they decided to reduce it to 20, they tried to make it as fair as possible by having one extra team relegated for two successive seasons rather than two extra in one season.

[Craig_H]

That has to be it Polo, i cant personally remember it but i'm sure you're spot on.

It just looked really weird to see a final league table with 40 games played, instead of 38 or 42. Even weirder seeing the bottom team in 21st place

[Dave Benson Phillips]

why does everyone go on about Arsenals unbeaten season and not mention the 87-88 season?

[Red_Polo]

Because we weren't unbeaten?

That season was definitely a greater feat though

[Dave Benson Phillips]

wasnt looking at the away games column!

[Parm]

bet that table would be a bit of a shock to a lot of chav fans

[EwarWoo]

Fairly sure it's because there ssed to be 22 and when they decided to reduce it to 20, they tried to make it as fair as possible by having one extra team relegated for two successive seasons rather than two extra in one season.

It makes me fairly sad looking at these old league tables.

I think the leagues lost an hell of a lot since the days when teams regularly came up, stayed a few seasons, went down, ect., and half the topflight could be anyone.

Nowadays it's just the usual suspects.