1896–97 Football League


The 1896–97 season was the ninth season of The Football League.

Final league tables

Beginning in the 1894–95 season, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average. In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season.
During the first six seasons of the league,, re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league.

First Division


Second Division


Test Matches

The Football League test matches were a set of play-offs, in which the bottom First Division teams faced the top Second Division teams. Each First Division team plays both Second Division teams in a mini league format, the top two finishers would then be considered for election for First Division membership whilst the bottom two finishers would be invited to play in the Second Division.
The First Division teams, if finishing in the top two, would retain their places in the division. If a Second Division team does so, it would be considered for First Division membership through an election process. Bottom-two Second Division teams would stay in the Second Division.

Test match summary

Reference works, such Encyclopedia of British Football and Association Football, present the following table with the heading given above.

Test match consequences

It is likely that the league decided on re-election to the First Division and on promotion and relegation on the basis of the summary table above.

Attendances

Source:

Division One

No.ClubAverage
1Everton FC15,840
2Aston Villa FC12,855
3Liverpool FC12,035
4Bolton Wanderers FC8,360
5Sheffield United FC8,080
6Derby County FC7,995
7Blackburn Rovers FC7,005
8The Wednesday6,900
9Preston North End FC6,865
10Bury FC6,600
11Wolverhampton Wanderers FC5,945
12West Bromwich Albion FC5,680
13Stoke FC5,400
14Burnley FC5,250
15Nottingham Forest FC5,225
16Sunderland AFC5,160