The 1987–88 Northern Premier League season was the 20th in the history of the Northern Premier League, a football competition in England. Teams were divided into two divisions.

Premier Division

The Premier Division featured two new teams:

League table

Results

Division One

It was the first Division One season, it was formed by clubs from:

League table

Promotion and relegation

In the twentieth season of the Northern Premier League Chorley (as champions) were automatically promoted to the Football Conference. Meanwhile, Oswestry Town folded at the end of the season and Workington were relegated; these three sides were replaced by Division One winners Fleetwood Town, second placed Stalybridge Celtic and newly admitted Shepshed Charterhouse. Colne Dynamoes, Bishop Auckland, Whitley Bay and Newtown were admitted into Division One at the end of the season.

Cup Results

Challenge Cup: President's Cup: Northern Premier League Shield: Between Champions of NPL Premier Division and Winners of the NPL Cup.