1996–97 Football League

98th season of the Football League

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Football league season

The Football LeagueSeason| 1996–97

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Champions| Bolton Wanderers
Promoted| Bolton Wanderers
Barnsley
Crystal Palace
Relegated| Hereford United

← 1995–96

1997–98 →

The 1996–97 Football League (known as the Nationwide Football League for sponsorship reasons) was the 98th completed season of The Football League.

Bolton Wanderers returned to the Premiership in superb fashion, hitting 100 goals and taking 98 points. Barnsley were promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history, while Crystal Palace returned after a two-year absence by winning the play-offs.

The decline of Oldham Athletic continued, falling into the third tier for the first time in 23 years, and just three years after being in the Premiership. Grimsby Town and Southend United joined them in relegation to the Second Division.

Bury won their second consecutive promotion, taking the Second Division title, Stockport County joined them in automatic promotion, and play-off winners Crewe Alexandra completed the trio moving up.

Going down were Peterborough United, Shrewsbury Town, Rotherham United and Notts County. County had been in the top division just five years earlier.

Wigan Athletic won the Third Division title on goals scored from Fulham. Carlisle United and play-off winners Northampton Town also won promotion to the Second Division.

Hereford United were the first club for four years to be relegated to the Conference after finishing bottom. Conference champions Macclesfield Town replaced Hereford (two years after Town had been denied entry to the Third Division). In December, Brighton & Hove Albion were 11 points adrift at the bottom of the Third Division, having had 2 points deducted for a pitch invasion. However a draw in their final game at Hereford kept Brighton in the league, and sent United down.

## Final league tables and results[edit]

The tables below are reproduced here in the exact form that they can be found at The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation website,[1] with home and away statistics separated. Play-off results are from the same website.

## First Division[edit]

Football league season

First DivisionSeason| 1996–97

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Champions| Bolton Wanderers
Promoted| Bolton Wanderers
Barnsley
Crystal Palace
Relegated| Grimsby Town
Oldham Athletic
Southend United
Matches played| 552
Goals scored| 1,474 (2.67 per match)
Top goalscorer| John McGinlay
(24 goals)[2]

← 1995–96

1997–98 →

One season after being relegated from the Premier League, Bolton Wanderers finished champions of Division One after leading the table virtually all season, finishing with 100 goals and 98 points in their final season at Burnden Park before relocating to the new all-seater Reebok Stadium. Barnsley finished runners-up and reached the top flight for the first time in their 101-year history. Wolves, who were beaten to automatic promotion by Barnsley, lost to Crystal Palace in the semi-finals of the playoffs, their second playoff defeat in three seasons, while Sheffield United overcame Ipswich Town in the other semi-final. Palace sealed promotion after two years away from the Premier League when midfielder David Hopkin scored with almost the last kick of the game.

A year after almost being relegated to Division Two, Portsmouth made strong progress in their second full season under the management of Terry Fenwick and just missed out on the playoffs. Port Vale, who finished eighth, enjoyed one of the highest final positions in their history, although eighth place was not high enough for playoff qualification and the chance of top flight football for the first time in the club's history. Vale's local rivals Stoke City finished 12th in their final season at the 119-year-old Victoria Ground before moving to the new Britannia Stadium. Manchester City spent the first half of the season battling at the wrong end of the table before the mid-season appointment of Frank Clark sparked a turnaround in fortunes and lifted them to 14th in the final table.

Southend United's six-year spell in the league's second tier came to an end as they finished bottom of Division One, with relegation quickly being followed by the dismissal of manager Ronnie Whelan. Oldham Athletic were next to go, their second relegation in four seasons being confirmed soon after the departure of manager Graeme Sharp. Alan Buckley, sacked mid-season by West Bromwich Albion, returned to Grimsby Town for his second spell as manager but was unable to keep the Mariners up, the battle against relegation being lost on the final day of the season.

Pos | Team  | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation

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1  | Bolton Wanderers (C, P) | 46  | 28  | 14  | 4  | 100  | 53  | +47  | 98  | Promotion to the Premier League
2  | Barnsley (P) | 46  | 22  | 14  | 10  | 76  | 55  | +21  | 80
3  | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46  | 22  | 10  | 14  | 68  | 51  | +17  | 76  | Qualification for the First Division play-offs
4  | Ipswich Town | 46  | 20  | 14  | 12  | 68  | 50  | +18  | 74
5  | Sheffield United | 46  | 20  | 13  | 13  | 75  | 52  | +23  | 73
6  | Crystal Palace (O, P) | 46  | 19  | 14  | 13  | 78  | 48  | +30  | 71
7  | Portsmouth | 46  | 20  | 8  | 18  | 59  | 53  | +6  | 68  |
8  | Port Vale | 46  | 17  | 16  | 13  | 58  | 55  | +3  | 67
9  | Queens Park Rangers | 46  | 18  | 12  | 16  | 64  | 60  | +4  | 66
10  | Birmingham City | 46  | 17  | 15  | 14  | 52  | 48  | +4  | 66
11  | Tranmere Rovers | 46  | 17  | 14  | 15  | 63  | 56  | +7  | 65
12  | Stoke City | 46  | 18  | 10  | 18  | 51  | 57  | −6  | 64
13  | Norwich City | 46  | 17  | 12  | 17  | 63  | 68  | −5  | 63
14  | Manchester City | 46  | 17  | 10  | 19  | 59  | 60  | −1  | 61
15  | Charlton Athletic | 46  | 16  | 11  | 19  | 52  | 66  | −14  | 59
16  | West Bromwich Albion | 46  | 14  | 15  | 17  | 68  | 72  | −4  | 57
17  | Oxford United | 46  | 16  | 9  | 21  | 64  | 68  | −4  | 57
18  | Reading | 46  | 15  | 12  | 19  | 58  | 67  | −9  | 57
19  | Swindon Town | 46  | 15  | 9  | 22  | 52  | 71  | −19  | 54
20  | Huddersfield Town | 46  | 13  | 15  | 18  | 48  | 61  | −13  | 54
21  | Bradford City | 46  | 12  | 12  | 22  | 47  | 72  | −25  | 48
22  | Grimsby Town (R) | 46  | 11  | 13  | 22  | 59  | 81  | −22  | 46  | Relegation to the Second Division
23  | Oldham Athletic (R) | 46  | 10  | 13  | 23  | 51  | 66  | −15  | 43
24  | Southend United (R) | 46  | 8  | 15  | 23  | 42  | 85  | −43  | 39

Source: [3]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

### Play-offs[edit]

Main article: Football League Championship play-offs § 1997

| Semi-finals
1st leg – 10 May; 2nd leg – 14 May 1997 | | | Final at Wembley
26 May 1997 |

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|  |  |  |  |  | | |  |  |  |
| 3rd | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 6th | Crystal Palace | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| | 5th | Sheffield United | 0 |
|  |
| | | 6th | Crystal Palace | 1 |
| 4th | Ipswich Town | 1 | 2 | 3 |

| 5th | Sheffield United (away goals) | 1 | 2 | 3 |

### Top scorers[edit]

Rank  | Player  | Club  | Goals

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1 |  John McGinlay | Bolton Wanderers | 24
2 |  Steve Bull | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 23
3 |  Trevor Morley | Reading | 22
4 |  Nathan Blake | Bolton Wanderers | 20
5 |  John Aldridge | Tranmere Rovers | 18
= |  Nigel Jemson | Oxford United | 18
= |  Mike Sheron | Stoke City | 18

### Results[edit]

Home \ Away  | BAR | BIR | BOL | BRA | CHA | CRY | GRI | HUD | IPS | MCI | NWC | OLD | OXF | PTV | POR | QPR | REA | SHU | STD | STK | SWI | TRA | WBA | WOL

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Barnsley |  | 0–1  | 2–2  | 2–0  | 4–0  | 0–0  | 1–3  | 3–1  | 1–2  | 2–0  | 3–1  | 2–0  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 3–2  | 1–3  | 3–0  | 2–0  | 3–0  | 3–0  | 1–1  | 3–0  | 2–0  | 1–3
Birmingham City | 0–0  |  | 3–1  | 3–0  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 2–3  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 0–3  | 0–0  | 4–1  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 3–1  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 2–3  | 1–2
Bolton Wanderers | 2–2  | 2–1  |  | 2–1  | 4–1  | 2–2  | 6–1  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 3–1  | 3–1  | 4–0  | 4–2  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 2–2  | 3–1  | 1–1  | 7–0  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 3–0
Bradford City | 2–2  | 0–2  | 2–4  |  | 1–0  | 0–4  | 3–4  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 1–3  | 0–2  | 0–3  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 3–1  | 3–0  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 2–1
Charlton Athletic | 2–2  | 2–1  | 3–3  | 0–2  |  | 2–1  | 1–3  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 4–4  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–3  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 2–0  | 3–1  | 1–1  | 0–0
Crystal Palace | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 1–0  |  | 3–0  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 3–1  | 2–0  | 3–1  | 2–2  | 1–1  | 1–2  | 3–0  | 3–2  | 0–1  | 6–1  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 2–3
Grimsby Town | 2–3  | 1–2  | 1–2  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 2–1  |  | 2–2  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 1–4  | 0–3  | 0–2  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 2–4  | 4–0  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 0–0  | 1–1  | 1–3
Huddersfield Town | 0–0  | 3–0  | 1–2  | 3–3  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 2–0  |  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 3–2  | 1–0  | 0–1  | 1–3  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 0–0  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 0–2
Ipswich Town | 1–1  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 3–2  | 2–1  | 3–1  | 1–1  | 1–3  |  | 1–0  | 2–0 | 4–0  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 5–2  | 3–1  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 3–2  | 0–2  | 5–0  | 0–0
Manchester City | 1–2  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 3–2  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 0–0  | 1–0  |  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 2–3  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 0–3  | 3–2  | 0–0  | 3–0  | 2–0  | 3–0  | 1–2  | 3–2  | 0–1
Norwich City | 1–1  | 0–1  | 0–1  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 2–0  | 3–1 | 0–0  |  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 2–4  | 1–0
Oldham Athletic | 0–1  | 2–2  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 0–3  | 1–2  | 3–3  | 2–1  | 3–0  |  | 2–1  | 3–0  | 0–0  | 0–2  | 1–1  | 0–2  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 5–1  | 1–2  | 1–1  | 3–2
Oxford United | 5–1  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 0–2  | 1–4  | 3–2  | 1–0  | 3–1  | 1–4  | 0–1  | 3–1  |  | 0–2  | 2–0  | 2–3  | 2–1  | 4–1  | 5–0  | 4–1  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 1–1
Port Vale | 1–3  | 3–0  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 0–2  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 2–2  | 0–2  | 6–1  | 3–2  | 2–0  |  | 0–2  | 4–4  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 2–2  | 1–2
Portsmouth | 4–2  | 1–1  | 0–3  | 3–1  | 2–0  | 2–2  | 1–0  | 3–1  | 0–1  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  |  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 0–1  | 1–3  | 4–0  | 0–2
Queens Park Rangers | 3–1  | 1–1  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 0–1  | 3–0  | 2–0  | 0–1  | 2–2  | 3–2  | 0–1  | 2–1  | 1–2  | 2–1  |  | 0–2  | 1–0  | 4–0  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 0–2  | 2–2
Reading | 1–2  | 0–0  | 3–2  | 0–0  | 2–2  | 1–6  | 1–1  | 4–1  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 2–1  |  | 1–0  | 3–2  | 2–2  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 2–2  | 2–1
Sheffield United | 0–1  | 4–4  | 1–1  | 3–0  | 3–0  | 3–0  | 3–1  | 3–1  | 1–3  | 2–0  | 2–3  | 2–2  | 3–1  | 3–0  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 2–0  |  | 3–0  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 2–3
Southend United | 1–2  | 1–1  | 5–2  | 1–1  | 0–2  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 0–0  | 2–3  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 2–2  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 2–1  | 3–2  |  | 2–1  | 1–3  | 1–1  | 2–3  | 1–1
Stoke City | 1–0  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–2  | 3–1  | 3–2  | 0–1  | 2–1  | 1–2  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 2–0  | 3–1  | 0–0  | 1–1  | 0–4  | 1–2  |  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 1–0
Swindon Town | 3–0  | 3–1  | 2–2  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 0–2  | 3–3  | 6–0  | 0–4  | 2–0  | 0–3  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 2–1  | 0–0  | 1–0  |  | 2–1  | 2–3  | 1–2
Tranmere Rovers | 1–1  | 1–0  | 2–2  | 3–0  | 4–0  | 1–3  | 3–2  | 1–1  | 3–0  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 4–3  | 2–3  | 2–2  | 1–1  | 3–0  | 0–0  | 2–1  |  | 2–3  | 0–2
West Bromwich Albion | 1–2  | 2–0  | 2–2  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 1–3  | 5–1  | 1–1  | 3–3  | 1–1  | 0–2  | 4–1  | 3–2  | 1–2  | 4–0  | 0–2  | 1–2  | 1–2  |  | 2–4
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3–3  | 1–2  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 0–3  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 3–0  | 3–2  | 0–1  | 3–1  | 0–1  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–2  | 4–1  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 3–2  | 2–0 |

Source:[citation needed]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

### Locations[edit]

Barnsley

Birmingham

Bolton

Bradford City

Charlton

Crystal Palace

Grimsby Town

Huddersfield

Ipswich Town

Manchester City

Norwich City

Oldham

Oxford

Portsmouth

Port Vale

QPR

Reading

Sheffield United

Southend

Stoke

Swindon

Tranmere

West Bromwich Albion

Wolverhampton Wanderers

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the First Division teams

## Second Division[edit]

Bury's upturn in fortunes continued as they followed their promotion from Division Three with promotion from Division Two, finishing champions of the division to clinch a place in Division One. Stockport County, another club more familiar with the lower two divisions of the league, sealed promotion as runners-up at the end of an exciting season which also saw them reach the semi-finals of the League Cup.

Crewe Alexandra finally reached the league's second tier for the first time in their history, triumphing over Brentford in the Division Two playoff final after falling at the semi-final stages during the previous two seasons. Bristol City and Luton Town were the beaten semi-finalists. Notts County finished bottom of the table to make it three relegations in six seasons, condemning them to fourth tier football only a few years after they had been in the top flight. Rotherham United went down in second from bottom place, followed shortly afterwards by Shrewsbury Town and Peterborough United. York City enjoyed a repeat of the 1995-96 season, beginning the campaign by eliminating Premier League opposition from the League Cup (this time Everton rather than Manchester United) and finished one place above the relegation zone, although this time safety was achieved before the final day of the season.

Football league season

Football League, Second DivisionSeason| 1996–97

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Champions| Bury (2nd third tier title)
Direct promotion| Bury,
Stockport County
Promoted through play-offs| Crewe Alexandra
Relegated| Notts County,
Peterborough United,
Rotherham United,
Shrewsbury Town
Matches played| 552
Goals scored| 1,270 (2.3 per match)
Top goalscorer| Tony Thorpe (Luton Town), 28[2]

← 1995–96

1997–98 →

Pos | Team  | Pld | HW | HD | HL | HGF | HGA | AW | AD | AL | AGF | AGA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation

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1  | Bury | 46  | 18  | 5  | 0  | 39  | 7  | 6  | 7  | 10  | 23  | 31  | +24  | 84  | Division Champions, promoted
2  | Stockport County | 46  | 15  | 5  | 3  | 31  | 14  | 8  | 8  | 7  | 28  | 27  | +18  | 82  | Promoted
3  | Luton Town | 46  | 13  | 7  | 3  | 38  | 14  | 8  | 8  | 7  | 33  | 31  | +26  | 78  | Participated in play-offs
4  | Brentford | 46  | 8  | 11  | 4  | 26  | 22  | 12  | 3  | 8  | 30  | 21  | +13  | 74
5  | Bristol City | 46  | 14  | 4  | 5  | 43  | 18  | 7  | 6  | 10  | 26  | 33  | +18  | 73
6  | Crewe Alexandra | 46  | 15  | 4  | 4  | 38  | 15  | 7  | 3  | 13  | 18  | 32  | +9  | 73  | Promoted through play-offs
7  | Blackpool | 46  | 13  | 7  | 3  | 41  | 21  | 5  | 8  | 10  | 19  | 26  | +13  | 69  |
8  | Wrexham | 46  | 11  | 9  | 3  | 38  | 28  | 6  | 9  | 8  | 17  | 22  | +5  | 69
9  | Burnley | 46  | 14  | 3  | 6  | 48  | 27  | 5  | 8  | 10  | 23  | 28  | +16  | 68
10  | Chesterfield | 46  | 10  | 9  | 4  | 25  | 18  | 8  | 5  | 10  | 17  | 21  | +3  | 68
11  | Gillingham | 46  | 13  | 3  | 7  | 37  | 25  | 6  | 7  | 10  | 23  | 34  | +1  | 67
12  | Walsall | 46  | 12  | 8  | 3  | 35  | 21  | 7  | 2  | 14  | 19  | 32  | +1  | 67
13  | Watford | 46  | 10  | 8  | 5  | 24  | 14  | 6  | 11  | 6  | 21  | 24  | +7  | 67
14  | Millwall | 46  | 12  | 4  | 7  | 27  | 22  | 4  | 9  | 10  | 23  | 33  | −5  | 61
15  | Preston North End | 46  | 14  | 5  | 4  | 33  | 19  | 4  | 2  | 17  | 16  | 36  | −6  | 61
16  | Bournemouth | 46  | 8  | 9  | 6  | 24  | 20  | 7  | 6  | 10  | 19  | 25  | −2  | 60
17  | Bristol Rovers | 46  | 13  | 4  | 6  | 34  | 22  | 2  | 7  | 14  | 13  | 28  | −3  | 56
18  | Wycombe Wanderers | 46  | 13  | 4  | 6  | 31  | 14  | 2  | 6  | 15  | 20  | 43  | −6  | 55
19  | Plymouth Argyle | 46  | 7  | 11  | 5  | 19  | 18  | 5  | 7  | 11  | 28  | 40  | −11  | 54
20  | York City | 46  | 8  | 6  | 9  | 27  | 31  | 5  | 7  | 11  | 20  | 37  | −21  | 52
21  | Peterborough United | 46  | 7  | 7  | 9  | 38  | 34  | 4  | 7  | 12  | 17  | 39  | −18  | 47  | Relegated
22  | Shrewsbury Town | 46  | 8  | 6  | 9  | 27  | 32  | 3  | 7  | 13  | 22  | 42  | −25  | 46
23  | Rotherham United | 46  | 4  | 7  | 12  | 17  | 29  | 3  | 7  | 13  | 22  | 41  | −31  | 35
24  | Notts County | 46  | 4  | 9  | 10  | 20  | 25  | 3  | 5  | 15  | 13  | 34  | −26  | 35

Source: [4]
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).

### Play-offs[edit]

Main article: Football League One play-offs § 1997

| Semi-finals
1st leg – 11 May; 2nd leg – 14 May 1997 | | | Final at Wembley
25 May 1997 |

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| 3rd | Luton Town | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 6th | Crewe Alexandra | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| | 4th | Brentford | 0 |
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| | | 6th | Crewe Alexandra | 1 |
| 4th | Brentford | 2 | 2 | 4 |

| 5th | Bristol City | 1 | 1 | 2 |

### Top scorers[edit]

Rank  | Player  | Club  | Goals

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1 |  Tony Thorpe | Luton Town | 28
2 |  Paul Barnes | Burnley | 24
3 |  Carl Asaba | Brentford | 23
= |  Shaun Goater | Bristol City | 23
5 |  Iffy Onuora | Gillingham | 21
6 |  Kyle Lightbourne | Walsall | 20

### Results[edit]

Home \ Away  | BLP | BOU | BRE | BRI | BRR | BUR | BRY | CHF | CRE | GIL | LUT | MIL | NTC | PET | PLY | PNE | ROT | SHR | STP | WAL | WAT | WRE | WYC | YOR

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Blackpool |  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 3–2  | 1–3  | 2–0  | 0–1  | 1–2  | 2–0  | 0–0  | 3–0  | 1–0  | 5–1  | 2–2  | 2–1  | 4–1  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 3–3  | 0–0  | 3–0
Bournemouth | 0–0  |  | 2–1  | 0–2  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 1–1  | 3–0  | 0–1  | 2–2  | 3–2  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 0–1  | 1–2  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 1–1
Brentford | 1–1  | 1–0  |  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 0–3  | 0–2  | 1–0  | 0–2  | 2–0  | 3–2  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 0–1  | 3–2  | 0–0  | 4–2  | 0–0  | 2–2  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 0–0  | 3–3
Bristol City | 0–1  | 0–1  | 1–2  |  | 1–1 | 2–1  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 3–0  | 0–1  | 5–0  | 1–1  | 4–0  | 2–0  | 3–1  | 2–1  | 0–2  | 3–2  | 1–1  | 4–1  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 3–0  | 2–0
Bristol Rovers | 0–0  | 3–2  | 2–1  | 1–2 |  | 1–2  | 4–3  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 0–0  | 3–2  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 0–1  | 2–0  | 3–4  | 1–1
Burnley | 2–0  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 2–3  | 2–2  |  | 3–1  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 5–1  | 0–2  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 5–0  | 2–1  | 1–2  | 3–3  | 1–3  | 5–2  | 2–1  | 4–1  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 1–2
Bury | 1–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 4–0  | 2–1  | 1–0  |  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 3–0  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 3–0  | 3–1  | 2–0  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 4–1
Chesterfield | 0–0  | 1–1  | 0–2  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 1–2  |  | 1–0  | 2–2  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 1–2  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 4–2  | 2–0
Crewe Alexandra | 3–2  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 1–2  |  | 3–2  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 3–0  | 1–1  | 3–0  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 5–1  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 0–2  | 3–1  | 3–0  | 0–1
Gillingham | 2–3  | 1–1  | 1–2  | 3–2  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–2  | 0–1  | 2–1  |  | 1–2  | 2–3  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 4–1  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 3–1  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 0–1
Luton Town | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 2–2  | 2–1  | 1–2  | 0–0  | 0–1  | 6–0  | 2–1  |  | 0–2  | 2–0  | 3–0  | 2–2  | 5–1  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 0–0 | 0–0  | 0–0  | 2–0
Millwall | 2–1  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 0–2  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 2–0  | 0–2  | 0–1  |  | 1–0  | 0–2  | 0–0  | 3–2  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 3–4  | 1–0  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 1–1
Notts County | 1–1  | 0–2  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 1–2  | 1–2  |  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 1–2  | 2–0  | 2–3  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 0–1
Peterborough United | 0–0  | 3–1  | 0–1  | 3–1  | 1–2  | 3–2  | 1–2  | 1–1  | 2–2  | 0–1  | 0–1  | 3–3  | 1–3  |  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 6–2  | 2–2  | 0–2  | 0–1  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 6–3  | 2–2
Plymouth Argyle | 0–1  | 0–0  | 1–4  | 0–0  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 0–3  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 3–3  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 1–1  |  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 2–2  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 0–0  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 2–1
Preston North End | 3–0  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 0–2  | 0–0  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 0–1  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 3–2  | 2–1  | 2–0  | 3–4  | 1–1  |  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 1–0
Rotherham United | 1–2  | 1–0  | 0–1  | 2–2  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–4  | 1–2  | 0–3  | 0–0  | 2–2  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 0–1  |  | 1–2  | 0–1  | 1–2  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 0–2
Shrewsbury Town | 1–3  | 1–1  | 0–3  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 0–1  | 1–2  | 0–3  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 2–2  | 2–3  | 0–2  | 0–2  |  | 3–2  | 2–2  | 1–0  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 2–0
Stockport County | 1–0  | 0–1  | 1–2  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 5–1  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 3–1  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 3–1  |  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 0–2  | 2–1  | 2–1
Walsall | 1–1  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 1–3  | 3–1  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 3–2  | 2–1  | 3–1  | 4–0  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 2–2  | 1–1  |  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 2–2  | 1–1
Watford | 2–2  | 0–1  | 2–0  | 3–0  | 1–0  | 2–2  | 0–0  | 0–2  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 1–1 | 0–2  | 0–0  | 0–0  | 0–2  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 1–0  |  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 4–0
Wrexham | 2–1  | 2–0  | 0–2  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 1–1  | 3–2  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 3–3  | 3–3  | 1–1  | 4–4  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 2–3  | 1–2  | 3–1  |  | 1–0  | 0–0
Wycombe Wanderers | 1–0  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 5–0  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 4–2  | 3–0  | 0–2  | 0–2  | 0–0  | 0–0  |  | 3–1
York City | 1–0  | 1–2  | 2–4  | 0–3  | 2–2  | 1–0  | 0–2  | 0–0  | 1–1  | 2–3  | 1–1  | 3–2  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 2–1  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 0–2  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 2–0  |

Source:[citation needed]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

### Locations[edit]

Blackpool

Bournemouth

Brentford

Bristol City

Bristol Rovers

Burnley

Bury

Chesterfield

Crewe Alexandra

Gillingham

Luton Town

Millwall

Notts County

Peterborough

Plymouth Argyle

Preston North End

Rotherham

Shrewsbury

Stockport

Walsall

Watford

Wrexham

Wycombe

York City

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Locations of the Second Division teams

## Third Division[edit]

In their second season under the management of John Deehan and ownership of ambitious chairman Dave Whelan, Wigan finished champions of Division Three, with striker Graeme Jones being the league's top scorer with 31 goals. Carlisle United finished runners-up behind them on goal difference, one season after relegation, and Fulham clinched the final automatic promotion place in their final season under the chairmanship of Jimmy Hill. The West London club was then taken over by Harrods owner Mohammed al Fayed. The final promotion place was won by Northampton Town, who ended their seven-year stay in the league's basement division by defeating Swansea City with John Frain goal in the last minute of extra time in the playoff final.

16th placed Leyton Orient made a move for 47-year-old former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton in December, with the veteran shot-stopper making nine league appearances and becoming the first player in English football to make a total of 1,000 league appearances before leaving the Brisbane Road side at the end of the season.

Brighton, deep in debt and faced with being left homeless through the sale of the Goldstone Ground, looked doomed by Christmas as they trailed the rest of the Division Three sides by a long distance. However, an incredible improvement in form during the second half of the season made survival appear like a realistic target by April, and they went into the final game of the season off the bottom of the table against a Hereford United side who were their hosts on the final day. Brighton need at least a draw to survive, while victory would keep Hereford in the league. A Kerry Mayo own goal put the Edgar Street side ahead and Brighton looked set to go down to the Conference a mere 14 years after being FA Cup finalists and side in the old First Division, before equalizing late on in the game through new signing Robbie Rienelt, securing their Division Three survival and ending Hereford's 25-year stay in the league. Brighton were then faced with several weeks of uncertainty about their future as the search for a new home continued, ending when a groundsharing deal was agreed with Gillingham in Kent.

Coming up from the Conference were Macclesfield Town, who had overturned a wide lead by Kidderminster Harriers during the second half of the season to clinch the Conference title on the final day of the season and claim the Football League status which they had been denied two years earlier when their Moss Rose stadium failed to meet the league's capacity requirements. The necessary work had since taken place, ensuring that the Cheshire side did not suffer the same disappointment again.

Football league season

Football League, Third DivisionSeason| 1996–97

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Champions| Wigan Athletic (1st fourth tier title)
Direct promotion| Wigan Athletic,
Carlisle United,
Fulham
Promoted through play-offs| Northampton
Relegated to Conference| Hereford United
Matches played| 552
Goals scored| 1,385 (2.51 per match)
Top goalscorer| Graeme Jones (Wigan Athletic), 31[2]

← 1995–96

1997–98 →

Pos | Team  | Pld | HW | HD | HL | HGF | HGA | AW | AD | AL | AGF | AGA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation

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1  | Wigan Athletic | 46  | 17  | 3  | 3  | 53  | 21  | 9  | 6  | 8  | 31  | 30  | +33  | 87  | Division Champions, promoted
2  | Fulham | 46  | 13  | 5  | 5  | 41  | 20  | 12  | 7  | 4  | 31  | 18  | +34  | 87  | Promoted
3  | Carlisle United | 46  | 16  | 3  | 4  | 41  | 21  | 8  | 9  | 6  | 26  | 23  | +23  | 84
4  | Northampton Town | 46  | 14  | 4  | 5  | 43  | 17  | 6  | 8  | 9  | 24  | 27  | +23  | 72  | Promoted through play-offs
5  | Swansea City | 46  | 13  | 5  | 5  | 37  | 20  | 8  | 3  | 12  | 25  | 38  | +4  | 71  | Participated in play-offs
6  | Chester City | 46  | 11  | 8  | 4  | 30  | 16  | 7  | 8  | 8  | 25  | 27  | +12  | 70
7  | Cardiff City | 46  | 11  | 4  | 8  | 31  | 24  | 9  | 5  | 9  | 26  | 31  | +2  | 69
8  | Colchester United | 46  | 11  | 9  | 3  | 36  | 23  | 6  | 8  | 9  | 26  | 28  | +11  | 68  |
9  | Lincoln City | 46  | 10  | 8  | 5  | 35  | 25  | 8  | 4  | 11  | 35  | 44  | +1  | 66
10  | Cambridge United | 46  | 11  | 5  | 7  | 30  | 27  | 7  | 6  | 10  | 23  | 32  | −6  | 65
11  | Mansfield Town | 46  | 9  | 8  | 6  | 21  | 17  | 7  | 8  | 8  | 26  | 28  | +2  | 64
12  | Scarborough | 46  | 9  | 9  | 5  | 36  | 31  | 7  | 6  | 10  | 30  | 38  | −3  | 63
13  | Scunthorpe United | 46  | 11  | 3  | 9  | 36  | 33  | 7  | 6  | 10  | 23  | 29  | −3  | 63
14  | Rochdale | 46  | 10  | 6  | 7  | 34  | 24  | 4  | 10  | 9  | 24  | 34  | 0  | 58
15  | Barnet | 46  | 9  | 9  | 5  | 32  | 23  | 5  | 7  | 11  | 14  | 28  | −5  | 58
16  | Leyton Orient | 46  | 11  | 6  | 6  | 28  | 20  | 4  | 6  | 13  | 22  | 38  | −8  | 57
17  | Hull City | 46  | 9  | 8  | 6  | 29  | 26  | 4  | 10  | 9  | 15  | 24  | −6  | 57
18  | Darlington | 46  | 11  | 5  | 7  | 37  | 28  | 3  | 5  | 15  | 27  | 50  | −14  | 52
19  | Doncaster Rovers | 46  | 9  | 7  | 7  | 29  | 23  | 5  | 3  | 15  | 23  | 43  | −14  | 52
20  | Hartlepool United | 46  | 8  | 6  | 9  | 33  | 32  | 6  | 3  | 14  | 20  | 34  | −13  | 51
21  | Torquay United | 46  | 9  | 4  | 10  | 24  | 24  | 4  | 7  | 12  | 22  | 38  | −16  | 50
22  | Exeter City | 46  | 6  | 9  | 8  | 25  | 30  | 6  | 3  | 14  | 23  | 43  | −25  | 48
23  | Brighton & Hove Albion | 46  | 12  | 6  | 5  | 41  | 27  | 1  | 4  | 18  | 12  | 43  | −17  | 47[a]
24  | Hereford United | 46  | 6  | 8  | 9  | 26  | 25  | 5  | 6  | 12  | 24  | 40  | −15  | 47  | Relegated to Conference

Source: [5]
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
Notes:

1. ^ Brighton & Hove Albion had two points deducted for failure to control spectators.

### Play-offs[edit]

Main article: Football League Two play-offs § 1997

| Semi-finals
1st leg – 11 May; 2nd leg – 14 May 1997 | | | Final at Wembley
24 May 1997 |

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| 4th | Northampton Town | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| 7th | Cardiff City | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| | 4th | Northampton Town | 1 |
|  |
| | | 5th | Swansea City | 0 |
| 5th | Swansea City | 0 | 3 | 3 |

| 6th | Chester City | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Top scorers[edit]

Rank  | Player  | Club  | Goals

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1 |  Graeme Jones | Wigan Athletic | 31
2 |  Gareth Ainsworth | Lincoln City | 22
3 |  Mike Conroy | Fulham | 21
4 |  Colin Cramb | Doncaster Rovers | 18
5 |  Adrian Foster | Hereford United | 16
= |  Darren Roberts | Darlington | 16

### Locations[edit]

Barnet

Brighton & Hove

Cambridge Utd

Cardiff City

Carlisle United

Chester

Colchester

Darlington

Doncaster

Exeter City

Fulham

Hartlepool

Hereford United

Hull

Leyton Orient

Lincoln City

Mansfield Town

Northampton Town

Rochdale

Scarborough

Scunthorpe United

Swansea City

Torquay

Wigan Athletic

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Locations of the Third Division teams

### Results[edit]

Home \ Away  | BAR | BHA | CAM | CAR | CRL | CHE | COL | DAR | DON | EXE | FUL | HAR | HER | HUL | LEY | LIN | MAN | NOR | ROC | SCA | SCU | SWA | TOR | WIG

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Barnet |  | 3–0  | 2–1  | 3–1  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 2–4  | 0–0  | 3–0  | 3–0  | 2–2  | 1–0  | 2–3  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 3–2  | 1–3  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 1–1
Brighton & Hove Albion | 1–0  |  | 1–2  | 2–0  | 1–3  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 2–3  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 5–0  | 0–1  | 3–0  | 4–4  | 1–3  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 3–0  | 3–2  | 1–1  | 3–2  | 2–2  | 1–0
Cambridge United | 1–0  | 1–1  |  | 0–2  | 1–3  | 2–2  | 1–0  | 5–2  | 0–1  | 3–2  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–3  | 2–1  | 0–0 | 2–2  | 2–1  | 0–2  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 1–1
Cardiff City | 1–2  | 1–0  | 0–0  |  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 2–0  | 0–2  | 2–1  | 1–2  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 3–0  | 1–3  | 1–2  | 2–2  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 1–3 | 2–0  | 0–2
Carlisle United | 2–1  | 2–1  | 3–0  | 0–2  |  | 3–1  | 3–0  | 1–0 | 0–0  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 1–0 | 2–3  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 3–2  | 1–0  | 3–2  | 4–1  | 5–1  | 0–3
Chester | 1–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–1  |  | 1–2  | 2–1  | 6–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 1–3  | 0–0  | 0–1  | 4–1  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 0–0  | 1–1
Colchester United | 1–0  | 2–0  | 2–2  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 0–0  |  | 0–3  | 2–2  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 0–2  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 7–1  | 2–1  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 1–3  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 2–0  | 3–1
Darlington | 0–1  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 2–1 | 1–1  | 1–1  |  | 0–3  | 0–1  | 0–2  | 1–2 | 1–0  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 5–2  | 2–4  | 3–1  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 4–1  | 2–3  | 3–1
Doncaster Rovers | 1–1  | 3–0  | 2–1  | 3–3  | 0–1  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 3–2  |  | 1–2  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 1–3  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 3–0  | 1–2  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 2–1  | 2–0
Exeter City | 1–1  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 1–5  | 0–3  | 3–2  | 1–1  |  | 0–1  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 3–2  | 3–3  | 0–0  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 2–2  | 0–1  | 1–2  | 1–1  | 0–1
Fulham | 2–0  | 2–0  | 3–0  | 1–4  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 6–0  | 3–1  | 1–1  |  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 1–2  | 1–2  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 4–0  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 1–2  | 1–1
Hartlepool United | 4–0  | 2–3  | 0–2  | 2–3 | 1–2  | 2–0  | 1–0  | 1–2 | 2–4  | 1–1  | 2–1  |  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 3–1  | 2–1  | 2–2  | 0–2  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 1–1
Hereford United | 1–1  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 2–3  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 0–0  | 0–1  |  | 0–1  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–2  | 3–0  | 2–2  | 3–2  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 3–1
Hull City | 0–0  | 3–0  | 1–3  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 3–2  | 3–1  | 2–0  | 0–3  | 1–0  | 1–1  |  | 3–2  | 2–1 | 1–1  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 0–2  | 0–2 | 1–1  | 2–0  | 1–1
Leyton Orient | 0–1  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 3–0  | 2–1  | 0–0  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 0–2  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  |  | 2–3  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 1–2
Lincoln City | 1–0  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 3–2  | 2–0  | 3–2  | 2–3  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 3–2  | 0–1 | 1–1  |  | 0–0 | 1–1  | 0–2  | 1–1  | 2–0 | 4–0  | 1–2  | 1–3
Mansfield Town | 0–0  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 1–3  | 0–0  | 0–2  | 1–1  | 2–1  | 1–0  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 3–1  | 1–0  | 0–2  | 2–2 |  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 2–0  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 0–1
Northampton Town | 2–0  | 3–0  | 1–2 | 4–0  | 1–1  | 5–1  | 2–1  | 3–1  | 2–0  | 4–1  | 0–1  | 3–0  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 1–1  | 3–0  |  | 2–2  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 1–1  | 0–1
Rochdale | 1–1  | 3–0  | 3–0  | 1–0  | 2–2  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 1–3  | 0–0  | 1–2  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 0–1  | 1–1  |  | 3–3  | 1–2  | 2–3  | 2–1  | 3–1
Scarborough | 1–1  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 0–0  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 1–1  | 4–1  | 2–1  | 3–4  | 0–2  | 2–4  | 1–1  | 3–2  | 2–1  | 0–2  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 2–2  |  | 3–2  | 0–1  | 3–1  | 3–1
Scunthorpe United | 1–2  | 1–0  | 3–2  | 0–1  | 0–0  | 0–2  | 2–1  | 3–2  | 1–2  | 4–1  | 1–4  | 2–1  | 5–1  | 2–2 | 1–2  | 2–0 | 0–2  | 2–1  | 2–2  | 0–2  |  | 1–0  | 1–0  | 2–3
Swansea City | 3–0  | 1–0  | 3–1  | 0–1 | 0–1  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 1–1  | 2–0  | 3–1  | 1–2  | 2–2  | 4–0  | 0–0  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 3–2  | 1–0  | 2–1  | 1–2  | 1–1  |  | 2–0  | 2–1
Torquay United | 1–2  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 2–0  | 1–2  | 0–0  | 0–2  | 1–1  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 3–1  | 0–1  | 2–1  | 1–1  | 0–0  | 2–1  | 1–2  | 1–2  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 1–2  | 2–0  |  | 0–3
Wigan Athletic | 2–0  | 1–0  | 1–1  | 0–1  | 1–0  | 4–2  | 1–0  | 3–2  | 4–1  | 2–0  | 1–1  | 2–2  | 4–1  | 1–2  | 5–1  | 1–0  | 2–0  | 2–1  | 0–1  | 7–1  | 3–0  | 3–2  | 3–2  |

Updated to match(es) played on 5 November 2020. Source: [1]
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

## See also[edit]

* 1996–97 in English football

## References[edit]

1. ^ "England 1996–97". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
2. ^ a b c "English League Leading Goalscorers". RSSSF. Retrieved 31 October 2010.
3. ^ "England 1996–97". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
4. ^ "England 1996–97". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.
5. ^ "England 1996–97". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2010.

* v
* t
* e

English Football League seasons

First tier|

* 1888–89
* 1889–90
* 1890–91
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* 1895–96
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* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92

Second tier|

* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–2000
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24

* v
* t
* e

1996–97 in English football

« 1995–96

1997–98 »

National teams|

* 1998 FIFA World Cup (UEFA Qualification Group 2
* Glenn Hoddle

League competitions|

| Level 1|

* Premier League

|

Levels 2–4|

* Football League (First Division, Second Division, Third Division, play-offs)

Level 5|

* Football Conference

Levels 6–7|

* Isthmian League (Premier, One)
* Northern Premier League (Premier, One)
* Southern League (Premier, Midland, Southern)

Levels 8–9|

* Isthmian League (Two, Three)
* Combined Counties League (level 8 only)
* Eastern Counties League (Premier, One)
* Essex Senior League (level 8 only)
* Hellenic League (Premier, One)
* Kent League (level 8 only)
* Midland Alliance (level 8 only)
* Midland Football Combination (level 9 only)
* North West Counties League (One, Two)
* Northern Counties East League (Premier, One)
* Northern League (One, Two)
* South Midlands League (Premier, Senior)
* Spartan League (Premier, One)
* Sussex County League (One, Two)
* United Counties League (Premier, One)
* Wessex League (level 8 only)
* West Midlands (Regional) League (level 9 only)
* Western League (Premier, One)

Cup competitions|

| FA cups|

* FA Cup (Qualifying rounds, Final)
* Charity Shield
* FA Trophy (Final)

|

Football League cups|

* League Cup (Final)
* Football League Trophy (Final)

European competitions|

* Champions League
* UEFA Cup
* Cup Winners' Cup
* Intertoto Cup

Club seasons

Premier League|

* Arsenal
* Aston Villa
* Blackburn Rovers
* Chelsea
* Coventry City
* Derby County
* Everton
* Leeds United
* Leicester City
* Liverpool
* Manchester United
* Middlesbrough
* Newcastle United
* Nottingham Forest
* Sheffield Wednesday
* Southampton
* Sunderland
* Tottenham Hotspur
* West Ham United
* Wimbledon

First Division|

* Barnsley
* Birmingham City
* Bolton Wanderers
* Bradford City
* Charlton Athletic
* Crystal Palace
* Grimsby Town
* Huddersfield Town
* Ipswich Town
* Manchester City
* Norwich City
* Oldham Athletic
* Oxford United
* Portsmouth
* Port Vale
* Queens Park Rangers
* Reading
* Sheffield United
* Southend United
* Stoke City
* Swindon Town
* Tranmere Rovers
* West Bromwich Albion
* Wolverhampton Wanderers

Second Division|

* Blackpool
* Bournemouth
* Brentford
* Bristol City
* Bristol Rovers
* Burnley
* Bury
* Chesterfield
* Crewe Alexandra
* Gillingham
* Luton Town
* Millwall
* Notts County
* Peterborough United
* Plymouth Argyle
* Preston North End
* Rotherham United
* Shrewsbury Town
* Stockport County
* Walsall
* Watford
* Wrexham
* Wycombe Wanderers
* York City

Third Division|

* Barnet
* Brighton & Hove Albion
* Cambridge United
* Cardiff City
* Carlisle United
* Chester City
* Colchester United
* Darlington
* Doncaster Rovers
* Exeter City
* Fulham
* Hartlepool United
* Hereford United
* Hull City
* Leyton Orient
* Lincoln City
* Mansfield Town
* Northampton Town
* Rochdale
* Scarborough
* Scunthorpe United
* Swansea City
* Torquay United
* Wigan Athletic

* Summer 1996 transfers
* Winter 1996–97 transfers

*[Pos]: Position
*[Pld]: Played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[GF]: Goals for
*[GA]: Goals against
*[GD]: Goal difference
*[Pts]: Points
*[HW]: Home won
*[HD]: Home drawn
*[HL]: Home lost
*[HGF]: Home Goals for
*[HGA]: Home Goals against
*[AW]: Away won
*[AD]: Away drawn
*[AL]: Away lost
*[AGF]: Away Goals for
*[AGA]: Away Goals against
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template