England – ranked 9th, although still banished from European tournaments. UEFA voted to ban English clubs for a fifth year. The season was overshadowed by the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April 1989, resulting in the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans and more 300 injured. The tragedy led to the reforms, eventually spread around the world during the 1990s – stadiums were no longer to have standing sections. And new stadiums were going to replace the ‘classic’ ones. Meantime there was another important change: football on television. ITV got gained exclusive rights to show Football League matches for over 11 million pounds – a sharp increase of the previous deal of 1983,which was a bit over 5 million. TV money were going to drive football up – or down – in the future. As for the season itself , it may not have been among the greatest, but certainly was most dramatic – the race for the title was decided by more goals scored! Everything else between the 2 challengers was the same. Also, the promotion play-offs were reorganized – one promotion spot was contested between the 4 finishers bellow the top 2 in the lower leagues. For the first in the history of English football a foreign manager appeared – the 46-years old Uruguayan Danny Bergara was hired to coach Rochdale in the IV Division. He managed to coach 2 teams actually, for later in the season went to Stockport County.
Non-league football – the name remained, but this structure was already amalgamated with the professional league system. For a third year already there was relegation and promotion between the IV Division and the top non-league championship, Football Conference. The last in the IV Division went down and the Conference champion went up. Newly relegated Newport County went out of business 27 February 1989 and was expelled from the Conference for failing to fulfill their fixtures. However, three months later the club was reformed – but had to play lower division (effectively, the 6th level) the next season. As for Non-league football, it had 4-league system, effectively semi-professional – that is, levels 5th to 8th. Here is a glimpse of the non-league football:
Barrow – had excellent season, winning the Northern Premier League.
Sutton United – had a good run in the FA Cup this season.
Kidderminster Harriers – perhaps the best known semiprofessional club abroad – had a relatively good season in Conference, but unable to win the championship.
The 24-team Conference had its champion promoted to the professional IV Division.
Maidstone United won Conference and was happy to be promoted to professional football. Third row from left: Tony Sorrell, Paul Collins, Jesse Roast, Mervyn Cawston, Mark Beeney, Ken Charlery, Malcolm Stewart, Les Berry, Mark Golley
Middle row: Mike Mercer, Barbara Legg, Bernie Holden, Barry Fenn, John Brooks, Frank Brooks, Joe Sullivan, George Dudley, Jim Dawkins, David Twiddy, Michael Frank, Dennis Berry, Geoff Pearson
Front row: Tony Rogers, Noel Ashford, David Jacques, Steve Butler, Bill Williams, Jim Thompson, John Still, Tony Pamphlett, Mark Hill, Mark Gall, Dave Mehmet.
Good luck to them in professional football.
A Football Blog