The 1987–88 Northern Counties East Football League season was the 6th in the history of Northern Counties East Football League, a football competition in England.
| Competition: | Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division |
| Season: | 1987–88 |
| Winners: | Emley |
| Matches: | 272 |
| Total Goals: | 795 |
| Prevseason: | 1986–87 |
| Nextseason: | 1988–89 |
The Premier Division featured 12 clubs which competed in the previous season, along with five new clubs, promoted from Division One:
| Competition: | Northern Counties East Football League Division One |
| Season: | 1987–88 |
| Winners: | York Railway Institute |
| Relegated: | Dronfield United |
| Matches: | 240 |
| Total Goals: | 758 |
| Prevseason: | 1986–87 |
| Nextseason: | 1988–89 |
Division One featured 13 clubs which competed in the previous season, along with three new clubs, promoted from Division Two:
Also, Mexborough Town Athletic changed their name to Mexborough Town.
| Competition: | Northern Counties East Football League Division Two |
| Season: | 1987–88 |
| Winners: | Pickering Town |
| Promoted: | Collingham Pickering Town |
| Matches: | 210 |
| Total Goals: | 655 |
| Prevseason: | 1986–87 |
| Nextseason: | 1988–89 |
Division Two featured 15 clubs which competed in the previous season, no new clubs joined the division this season.