Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

However, Everton fielded by far the most unsettled side of all the twelve original Football League members, using thirty-five players in their twenty-two game campaign.

Not surprisingly Everton's best result of the season, a 6–2 victory over Derby County on 20 October 1888 was achieved with ten of the above players on the field.

Robert Watson missed that game while his deputy, Alex McKinnon scored the only hat-trick obtained by an Everton player all season.

Note that position listed is that filled most commonly by the player during this season and may not always have been the role played.