The 1987–88 season was the 17th in the history of Essex Senior Football League, a football competition in England.[1]
The league featured 15 clubs which competed in the league last season, along with two new clubs:
Purfleet were champions, winning their first Essex Senior League title and were promoted to the Isthmian League.
| Competition: | Essex Senior Football League |
| Season: | 1987–88 |
| Winners: | Purfleet |
| Promoted: | Purfleet |
| Matches: | 272 |
| Total Goals: | 925 |
| Prevseason: | 1986–87 |
| Nextseason: | 1988–89 |