The 1987–88 Area League South was the first full season of rugby union within the fourth tier of the English league system, later known as the National League 2 South, and was the counterpart to Area League North (now National League 2 North). Each team played one match against the other teams, playing a total of ten matches each. There was no set date for matches, clubs having to arrange the fixtures amongst themselves.
Askeans were the first ever champions, gaining promotion to the 1988–89 National Division 3 while Streatham-Croydon were the only relegated side, dropping to London 1.
Structure
Each team played one match against each of the other teams, playing a total of ten matches each. The champions are promoted to National Division 3 and the bottom team was relegated to either London 1 or South West 1 depending on their locality.
Participating teams and locations
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaAskeans Broad Walk 1,500 (300 seats) Kidbrooke, LondonCamborne Recreation Ground 11,000 Camborne, CornwallCheltenham Prince of Wales 3,500 (500 seats) Cheltenham, GloucestershireHavant Hook's Lane 3,000 (200 seats) Havant, HampshireLydney Regentsholme 3,000 (340 seats)Lydney, GloucestershireSalisbury Castle Road 1,500 Salisbury, Wiltshire Sidcup Crescent Farm Sidcup, LondonSouthend Warners Park 1,500 (150 seats) Southend, EssexStreatham-CroydonFrant Road 2,000 (200 seats) Thornton Heath, Croydon, LondonStroud Fromehall Park 4,000 (200 seats) Stroud, GloucestershireSudbury Moorsfield 1,000 Sudbury, Suffolk
League table
Sponsorship Area League South is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and was sponsored by Courage Brewery.
See also 1987–88 National Division 1 1987–88 National Division 2 1987–88 National Division 3 1987–88 Area League North
References