1888–89 Bolton Wanderers F.C. season
The 1888–89 season was Bolton Wanderers's first season in the Football League which had just been founded. Because of this they became one of the founder members of the Football League. They finished in 5th position with 22 points.
Final league table
Results
Bolton's score comes firstLegend
Football League
| Match | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
| 1 | 8 September 1888 | Derby County | H | 3 – 6 | 3,000 | Davenport, Brogan |
| 2 | 15 September 1888 | Burnley | H | 3 – 4 | 4,000 | Davenport, Brogan, Coupar |
| 3 | 22 September 1888 | Preston North End | A | 1 – 3 | 5,000 | Weir |
| 4 | 29 September 1888 | Everton | H | 6 – 2 | 5,000 | Davenport, Tyrer, Milne |
| 5 | 6 October 1888 | Burnley | A | 1 – 4 | 4,000 | Roberts |
| 6 | 13 October 1888 | Stoke | H | 2 – 1 | 5,000 | Milne, Underwood |
| 7 | 20 October 1888 | Aston Villa | H | 2 – 3 | 8,000 | Weir, Barbour |
| 8 | 3 November 1888 | Everton | A | 1 – 2 | 8,000 | Barbour |
| 9 | 5 November 1888 | West Bromwich Albion | A | 5 – 1 | 8,000 | Barbour, Milne, Brogan, Weir |
| 10 | 10 November 1888 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 2 – 3 | 2,000 | Brogan, McGuinness |
| 11 | 17 November 1888 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 1 – 2 | 3,500 | Bullough |
| 12 | 24 November 1888 | Preston North End | H | 2 – 5 | 3,500 | Brogan, Weir |
| 13 | 8 December 1888 | Blackburn Rovers | A | 4 – 4 | 4,000 | Brogan, Milne, Scowcroft |
| 14 | 22 December 1888 | Accrington | H | 4 – 1 | 5,000 | Weir, Owen |
| 15 | 26 December 1888 | Derby County | A | 3 – 2 | 3,500 | Brogan, Davenport, Milne |
| 16 | 29 December 1888 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | H | 2 – 1 | 5,500 | Weir, Own goal |
| 17 | 12 January 1889 | Aston Villa | A | 2 – 6 | 2,000 | Barbour |
| 18 | 19 January 1889 | Stoke | A | 2 – 2 | 6,000 | Owen, Brogan |
| 19 | 26 January 1889 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 3 – 2 | 6,000 | Owen, Weir |
| 20 | 5 March 1889 | Notts County | A | 4 – 0 | 3,000 | Brogan, Barbour, Davenport |
| 21 | 9 March 1889 | Notts County | H | 7 – 3 | 3,000 | Turner, Brogan, Barbour, Davenport |
| 22 | 23 March 1889 | Accrington | A | 3 – 2 | 3,000 | Brogan, Roberts, Davenport |
FA Cup
Appearances
- Note: Bolton used their reserves in the FA Cup.