1986–87 Football League First Division Title
Eleven points clear of their rivals, the Blues proved their mettle in Wilkinson's first season.
The 1986–87 Football League First Division title is one of the most celebrated achievements in Everton's long history. Under the stewardship of manager Howard Wilkinson, the Blues delivered a season of disciplined, hard-running football that saw them finish at the summit of English top-flight football, edging out fierce rivals Liverpool to claim the championship.
This title is particularly cherished by supporters because it was the first of two consecutive league titles (1986–87 and 1987–88), a back-to-back feat that underscored the quality and consistency of Wilkinson's squad. It cemented a period in the mid-to-late 1980s when Everton were, for a time, the dominant force in English football, following their 1984–85 championship and FA Cup double.
Quick Facts
- Manager
- Howard Wilkinson
- Competition
- Football League First Division
- Season
- 1986–87
- Finish
- 1st — Champions
- Rivals overtaken
- Liverpool (finished 2nd)
- Captain
- Kevin Sheedy
- Follow-up
- Also champions 1987–88 (back-to-back titles)
Lore & Background
When Howard Wilkinson took charge at Goodison Park in the summer of 1986, the expectation was to build on the 1984–85 double and restore Everton to the top of the table. What he produced was a team of extraordinary physicality and tactical discipline. The 1986–87 side was anchored by the rock-solid partnership of Gary Bannister and Tony Doherty at the back, with Steve Walford adding relentless energy in midfield. Kevin Sheedy, the ever-present captain, dictated tempo from deep, while David Unsworth provided the creative spark that unlocked stubborn defences. Up front, Peter Rée's movement and finishing gave the team a lethal edge.
The season was defined by a grinding, attritional campaign in which Everton rarely conceded and punished opponents with clinical efficiency. The rivalry with Liverpool made every Merseyside derby a war of nerves, but the Blues' consistency over a full 42-game season proved decisive. They did not rely on a single spectacular run of form; instead, they simply outlasted everyone, week after week, in a display of collective determination that became the hallmark of the Wilkinson era.
The back-to-back nature of the achievement — winning the title again in 1987–88 — gave the 1986–87 triumph a special resonance. It was not a fluke or a one-season phenomenon. It was the first statement of a two-year dynasty, and for Everton supporters it remains a touchstone of what the club could achieve when the right manager assembled the right group of players and gave them a clear, uncompromising identity.
Reader's Guide
The 1986–87 Football League First Division title was Everton's 8th league championship, won under manager Howard Wilkinson in his first season in charge. The Blues finished 1st in the 42-game First Division, edging out Liverpool to claim the trophy.
The achievement is significant for several reasons. First, it was Wilkinson's immediate statement of intent, proving that the squad he inherited and refined was capable of sustained top-level performance. Second, it set the stage for the 1987–88 back-to-back title, making the two seasons a genuine dynasty rather than a one-off. Third, it reinforced Everton's status as one of England's great clubs, adding to the titles of 1890–91, 1914–15, 1927–28, 1930–31, 1938–39, 1962–63, and 1984–85.
The 1986–87 team was characterised by defensive organisation, physical midfield dominance, and a relentless work-rate that made them difficult to beat over a full season. Key figures included captain Kevin Sheedy, defenders Gary Bannister and Tony Doherty, and forward Peter Rée. The title remains a proud landmark in the club's honours record and a defining moment of the Wilkinson era.
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