1896–97 Football League

Final league tables

Beginning in the 1894–95 season, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded). 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, (up to the 1893–94 season), 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

3rd English title (22 goals) (25 December 1896) Sheffield United 7–0 Blackburn Rovers (9 January 1897) (28 November 1896) (26 September 1896) Derby County 8–1 West Bromwich Albion (25 December 1896) Everton 6–3 West Bromwich Albion (17 April 1897) Everton Aston Villa Everton Everton 2–1 Liverpool (3 October 1896) Nottingham Forest 4–1 Burnley (24 October 1896) Sheffield United 7–0 Blackburn Rovers (9 January 1897)

Results

Maps

Aston Villa Blackburn Rovers Bolton Wanderers Burnley Bury Derby County Everton Liverpool Nottingham Forest Preston North End Sheffield United The Wednesday (Sheffield) Stoke Sunderland West Bromwich Albion Wolverhampton Wanderers

Second Division

Tom Boucher (22 goals each) (26 December 1896) (24 October 1896) (26 December 1896) Notts County Small Heath Newton Heath Lincoln City

Results

Maps

Blackpool Burton Swifts Burton Wanderers Darwen Gainsborough Trinity Grimsby Town Leicester Fosse Lincoln City Loughborough Manchester City Newcastle Newton Heath (Manchester) Notts County Small Heath (Birmingham) Walsall Woolwich Arsenal

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.

First round

Second round

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.

• Notts County won both fixtures and were elected to play in the 1st Division the following season.
• Coming from the 2nd Division, Newton Heath apparently would have needed a win in order to advance. It appears that in this case, a draw, the preference was given to Burnley, who came to the test matches from a higher division.
• Sunderland salvaged through re-elections its position in the 1st Division, having won in the second round of the test matches. It was the fate of Newton Heath to remain in the 2nd Division.

Attendances

Source:

Division One

References

References

1. "English League Leading Goalscorers".
2. "English League Leading Goalscorers". [[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]].
3. Soar, Phil & Tyler, Martin: ''Encyclopedia of British Football'', Willow Books, London. Fourth, updated and revised edition, 1984, p. 168.
4. A. H. Fabian & Green, Geoffrey: ''Association Football'', Volume Two, p. 236. The Caxton Publishing Company Ltd., London, 1960.
5. https://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/archive/eng/aveeng1897.htm