1996–97 FA Premier League

Football season in England April 2014 August 2020 FA Premier League 1996–97 17 August 1996 – 11 May 1997 Manchester United4th Premier League title11th English title Champions League Manchester UnitedNewcastle United Cup Winners' Cup Chelsea UEFA Cup ArsenalLiverpoolAston Villa (through UEFA Respect Fair Play ranking)Leicester City SunderlandMiddlesbroughNottingham Forest Top scorers Alan Shearer(25 goals) Nigel Martyn (19 clean sheets) Everton 7–1 Southampton(16 November 1996)Newcastle United 7–1 Tottenham Hotspur(28 December 1996) Leeds United 0–4 Manchester United(7 September 1996)Nottingham Forest 0–4 Manchester United(26 December 1996)Sunderland 0–4 Tottenham Hotspur(4 March 1997) Southampton 6–3 Manchester United(26 October 1996) 380 970 7 gameshttp://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1996-1997/longest-sequences/full English Premier League 1996–97 statto.com 13 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150402105126/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1996-1997/longest-sequences/full 2 April 2015 liveNewcastle UnitedWimbledon 16 gamesManchester United 6 gamesEverton 16 gamesNottingham Forest 55,314Manchester United 2–1 Wimbledon(29 January 1997) 7,979Wimbledon 2–0 Leeds United(16 April 1997) 10,818,380https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co91/se3285/attendance/ Premier League 1996/1997 » Attendance » Home matches WorldFootball.net 12 January 2024 28,469 1995–96 1997–98 The 1996–97 FA Premier League (known as the FA Carling Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the fifth season of the FA Premier League since its formation in 1992. The majority of the season was contested by the reigning champions, Manchester United, along with Newcastle United, Arsenal and Liverpool. The title was eventually won by Manchester United, after Liverpool's and Newcastle's failure to win in their penultimate games of the season; at 75 points it is the lowest points total for a Premier League champion club and lowest since the 3-1-0 points system was introduced in the 1981–82 season. Middlesbrough, who had high-profile foreign players like Juninho, Emerson, Fabrizio Ravanelli (who scored 31 goals in all competitions), Branco and Gianluca Festa, were relegated on the final day of the season and were on the losing side in both the FA Cup final and the League Cup final. Middlesbrough finished in 19th place, but would have been placed 14th without a three-point deduction imposed for unilaterally postponing a 21 December 1996 fixture at Blackburn Rovers, with the Middlesbrough board making the decision due to the absence of 23 players ill or injured."Football's biggest punishments". Retrieved 20 September 2006."Funny Old Game|Happened on this day – 20 December". Retrieved 20 September 2006. The club consulted the Premier League prior to calling off the fixture and was told to do 'what they thought best'. To protect the integrity of the game, and avoid fielding a team of untried teenagers including three goalkeepers, Middlesbrough called off the match. The Premier League subsequently absolved itself of all responsibility and deducted the three points. This sanction meant Coventry City, who had been in the top division since 1967, finished in 17th place and avoided relegation. The decision was controversial, and later resurfaced in 2006–07 when West Ham escaped a points deduction and subsequently avoided relegation. Another relegation place went to Nottingham Forest, who sacked manager Frank Clark in December. Stuart Pearce took over as temporary player-manager, spending three months in charge and winning the January 1997 Manager of the Month award. In March, Pearce quit as manager to be replaced by Dave Bassett, formerly of Crystal Palace. Also relegated, due to a 1–0 defeat to Wimbledon in their last game of the season, was Sunderland, who were leaving Roker Park after 99 years and relocating to the 42,000-seat Stadium of Light on the banks of the River Wear for the start of the 1997–98 season in Division One. Teams Twenty teams competed in the league – the top seventeen teams from the previous season and the three teams promoted from the First Division. The promoted teams were Sunderland, Derby County (both teams returning to the top flight after a five-year absence) and Leicester City (immediately returning to the top flight after a season's absence). This was also both Sunderland and Derby County's first season in the Premier League. They replaced Manchester City, Queens Park Rangers and Bolton Wanderers, who were relegated to the First Division after a top flight presence of seven, thirteen and one year respectively. Stadiums and locations England 440 right Locations of the 1996–97 Premier League teams England 51.5155 -0.0922 80 London Blue pog.svg right England 52.509103 -1.884786 80 Aston Villa left England 53.728569 -2.489206 80 Blackburn Rovers left England 52.448111 -1.495611 80 Coventry City bottom England 52.914911 -1.447233 80 Derby County left England 53.438846 -2.966285 80 Everton left England 53.704069 -1.341731 80 Leeds United right England 52.611402 -1.082508 80 Leicester City right England 53.430845 -2.960823 80 Liverpool bottom England 53.47 -2.25 80 Manchester United right England 54.578219 -1.216822 80 Middlesbrough right England 54.974 -1.614 80 Newcastle United left England 52.939936 -1.132886 80 Nottingham Forest right England 53.370342 -1.470853 80 Sheffield Wednesday right England 50.905826 -1.390975 80 Southampton left England 54.914400 -1.388200 80 Sunderland bottom England TransparentPlaceholder.png 1 55.7 -0.2 80 London teams: Arsenal Chelsea Tottenham Hotspur West Ham United Wimbledon right Greater London 300 right Greater London Premier League football clubs Greater London Premier League football clubs Greater London 51.552 -0.097 Blue pog.svg Arsenal 75 left Greater London 51.481667 -0.191111 Blue pog.svg Chelsea 75 right Greater London 51.5974 -0.0716 Blue pog.svg TottenhamHotspur 75 right Greater London 51.531944 0.039444 Blue pog.svg West Ham United 75 right Greater London 51.398333 -0.085556 Blue pog.svg Wimbledon 75 right Team Location Stadium Capacity Arsenal London (Highbury) Arsenal Stadium 38,419 Aston Villa Birmingham Villa Park 39,399 Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Ewood Park 31,367 Chelsea London (Fulham) Stamford Bridge 36,000 Coventry City Coventry Highfield Road 23,489 Derby County Derby Baseball GroundThis was Derby County's last season at Baseball Ground as they were scheduled to relocate to the Pride Park Stadium at the end of the season. 18,300 Everton Liverpool (Walton) Goodison Park 40,157 Leeds United Leeds Elland Road 40,204 Leicester City Leicester Filbert Street 22,000 Liverpool Liverpool (Anfield) Anfield 42,730 Manchester United Manchester Old Trafford 55,314 Middlesbrough Middlesbrough Riverside Stadium 30,000 Newcastle United Newcastle upon Tyne St James' Park 36,649 Nottingham Forest West Bridgford City Ground 30,539 Sheffield Wednesday Sheffield Hillsborough Stadium 39,859 Southampton Southampton The Dell 15,200 Sunderland Sunderland Roker ParkThis was Sunderland's last season at Roker Park as they were scheduled to relocate to the Stadium of Light at the end of the season. 22,500 Tottenham Hotspur London (Tottenham) White Hart Lane 36,230 West Ham United London (Upton Park) Boleyn Ground 28,000 Wimbledon London (Selhurst) Selhurst ParkDue to Wimbledon lacking a home stadium, they played their home games at Selhurst Park, which is the home stadium of Crystal Palace. 26,309 Personnel and kits (as of 11 May 1997) Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsorArsenalFRA 1974 Arsène WengerENG Tony AdamsNikeJVCAston VillaENG Brian LittleIRL Andy TownsendReebokAST ResearchBlackburn RoversENG Tony ParkesENG Tim SherwoodAsicsCISChelseaNED Ruud GullitENG Dennis WiseUmbroCoorsCoventry CitySCO Gordon StrachanSCO Gary McAllisterLe Coq SportifPeugeotDerby CountyENG Jim SmithCRO Igor ŠtimacPumaPumaEvertonENG Dave Watson (caretaker)ENG Dave WatsonUmbroDankaLeeds UnitedSCO George GrahamRSA Lucas RadebePumaPackard BellLeicester CityNIR Martin O'NeillENG Steve WalshFox LeisureWalkersLiverpoolENG Roy EvansENG John BarnesReebokCarlsbergManchester UnitedSCO Alex FergusonFRA 1974 Eric CantonaUmbroSharpMiddlesbroughENG Bryan RobsonENG Nigel PearsonErreàCellnetNewcastle UnitedSCO Kenny DalglishENG Peter BeardsleyAdidasNewcastle Brown AleNottingham ForestENG Dave BassettENG Stuart PearceUmbroLabatt'sSheffield WednesdayENG David PleatENG Peter AthertonPumaSandersonSouthamptonSCO Graeme SounessENG Matt Le TissierPonySandersonSunderlandENG Peter ReidENG Kevin BallAvecVaux BreweriesTottenham HotspurENG Gerry FrancisENG Gary MabbuttPonyHewlett-PackardWest Ham UnitedENG Harry RedknappENG Julian DicksPonyDagenham MotorsWimbledonIRL Joe KinnearWAL Vinnie JonesLottoElonex Managerial changes Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment Chelsea ENG Glenn Hoddle Signed by England 10 May 1996 Pre-season NED Ruud Gullit 10 May 1996 Southampton ENG Dave Merrington Sacked 14 June 1996 SCO Graeme Souness 3 July 1996 Arsenal SCO Bruce Rioch 12 August 1996 SCO Stewart Houston (caretaker) 12 August 1996 Leeds United ENG Howard Wilkinson 10 September 1996 9th SCO George Graham 10 September 1996 Arsenal SCO Stewart Houston Signed by Queens Park Rangers 16 September 1996 7th NIR Pat Rice (caretaker) 16 September 1996 NIR Pat Rice End of caretaker spell 30 September 1996 3rd FRA 1974 Arsène Wenger 30 September 1996 Blackburn Rovers ENG Ray Harford Resigned 25 October 1996 20th ENG Tony Parkes (caretaker) 25 October 1996 Coventry City ENG Ron Atkinson Promoted to director of football 5 November 1996 18th SCO Gordon Strachan 5 November 1996 Nottingham Forest ENG Frank Clark Resigned 19 December 1996 20th ENG Stuart Pearce (caretaker) 20 December 1996 Newcastle United ENG Kevin Keegan 8 January 1997 4th ENG Terry McDermott (caretaker) 8 January 1997 ENG Terry McDermott End of caretaker spell 14 January 1997 SCO Kenny Dalglish 14 January 1997 Everton ENG Joe Royle Resigned 27 March 1997 13th ENG Dave Watson (caretaker) 1 April 1997 League table main WDL QR 5 MUN Manchester United NEW Newcastle United ARS Arsenal LIV Liverpool AST Aston Villa CHE Chelsea SHW Sheffield Wednesday WDN Wimbledon LEI Leicester City TOT Tottenham Hotspur LEE Leeds United DER Derby County BLB Blackburn Rovers WHU West Ham United EVE Everton SOU Southampton COV Coventry City SUN Sunderland MID Middlesbrough NOT Nottingham Forest 21 12 5 76 44 C 19 11 8 73 40 19 11 8 62 32 19 11 8 62 37 17 10 11 47 34 16 11 11 58 55 14 15 9 50 51 15 11 12 49 46 12 11 15 46 54 13 7 18 44 51 11 13 14 28 38 11 13 14 45 58 9 15 14 42 43 10 12 16 39 48 10 12 16 44 57 10 11 17 50 56 9 14 15 38 54 10 10 18 35 53 R 10 12 16 51 60 -3 R 6 16 16 31 59 R Middlesbrough were docked three points for failing to fulfill their original fixture at Blackburn Rovers on 21 December 1996. green1 Qualification for the Champions League group stage CLGS green2 Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round CL2 blue1 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round Aston Villa was rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through UEFA Fair Play ranking. UC1 UC1 UC1 yellow1 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round Chelsea qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as FA Cup winners. UCWC1 blue1 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round Leicester City qualified for the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners. LEI red1 Relegation to the Football League First Division R R R complete 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. Premier League Results main FBR grey ARS AVL BLB CHE COV DER EVE LEE LEI LIV MUN MID NEW NFO SHW SOU SUN TOT WHU WIM Arsenal 2–2 1–1 3–3 0–0 2–2 3–1 3–0 2–0 1–2 1–2 2–0 0–1 2–0 4–1 3–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 0–1 Aston Villa 2–2 1–0 0–2 2–1 2–0 3–1 2–0 1–3 1–0 0–0 1–0 2–2 2–0 0–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 0–0 5–0 Blackburn Rovers 0–2 0–2 1–1 4–0 1–2 1–1 0–1 2–4 3–0 2–3 0–0 1–0 1–1 4–1 2–1 1–0 0–2 2–1 3–1 Chelsea 0–3 1–1 1–1 2–0 3–1 2–2 0–0 2–1 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–2 1–0 6–2 3–1 3–1 2–4 Coventry City 1–1 1–2 0–0 3–1 1–2 0–0 2–1 0–0 0–1 0–2 3–0 2–1 0–3 0–0 1–1 2–2 1–2 1–3 1–1 Derby County 1–3 2–1 0–0 3–2 2–1 0–1 3–3 2–0 0–1 1–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 2–2 1–1 1–0 4–2 1–0 0–2 Everton 0–2 0–1 0–2 1–2 1–1 1–0 0–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 7–1 1–3 1–0 2–1 1–3 Leeds United 0–0 0–0 0–0 2–0 1–3 0–0 1–0 3–0 0–2 0–4 1–1 0–1 2–0 0–2 0–0 3–0 0–0 1–0 1–0 Leicester City 0–2 1–0 1–1 1–3 0–2 4–2 1–2 1–0 0–3 2–2 1–3 2–0 2–2 1–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–1 1–0 Liverpool 2–0 3–0 0–0 5–1 1–2 2–1 1–1 4–0 1–1 1–3 5–1 4–3 4–2 0–1 2–1 0–0 2–1 0–0 1–1 Manchester United 1–0 0–0 2–2 1–2 3–1 2–3 2–2 1–0 3–1 1–0 3–3 0–0 4–1 2–0 2–1 5–0 2–0 2–0 2–1 Middlesbrough 0–2 3–2 2–1 1–0 4–0 6–1 4–2 0–0 0–2 3–3 2–2 0–1 1–1 4–2 0–1 0–1 0–3 4–1 0–0 Newcastle United 1–2 4–3 2–1 3–1 4–0 3–1 4–1 3–0 4–3 1–1 5–0 3–1 5–0 1–2 0–1 1–1 7–1 1–1 2–0 Nottingham Forest 2–1 0–0 2–2 2–0 0–1 1–1 0–1 1–1 0–0 1–1 0–4 1–1 0–0 0–3 1–3 1–4 2–1 0–2 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday 0–0 2–1 1–1 0–2 0–0 0–0 2–1 2–2 2–1 1–1 1–1 3–1 1–1 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 0–0 3–1 Southampton 0–2 0–1 2–0 0–0 2–2 3–1 2–2 0–2 2–2 0–1 6–3 4–0 2–2 2–2 2–3 3–0 0–1 2–0 0–0 Sunderland 1–0 1–0 0–0 3–0 1–0 2–0 3–0 0–1 0–0 1–2 2–1 2–2 1–2 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–4 0–0 1–3 Tottenham Hotspur 0–0 1–0 2–1 1–2 1–2 1–1 0–0 1–0 1–2 0–2 1–2 1–0 1–2 0–1 1–1 3–1 2–0 1–0 1–0 West Ham United 1–2 0–2 2–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 2–2 0–2 1–0 1–2 2–2 0–0 0–0 0–1 5–1 2–1 2–0 4–3 0–2 Wimbledon 2–2 0–2 1–0 0–1 2–2 1–1 4–0 2–0 1–3 2–1 0–3 1–1 1–1 1–0 4–2 3–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 complete Premier League Season statistics Scoring Top scorers thumb|upright|Newcastle's Alan Shearer was the top scorer for the third and final time, with 25 goals. RankPlayerClubGoals1ENG Alan ShearerNewcastle United252ENG Ian WrightArsenal233ENG Robbie FowlerLiverpool18NOR Ole Gunnar SolskjærManchester United5TTO Dwight YorkeAston Villa176ENG Les FerdinandNewcastle United16ITA Fabrizio RavanelliMiddlesbrough8ENG Dion DublinCoventry City13ENG Matt Le TissierSouthampton10NED Dennis BergkampArsenal12ENG Steve ClaridgeLeicester CityENG Stan CollymoreLiverpoolBRA JuninhoMiddlesbrough Hat-tricks List of Premier League hat-tricks thumb|upright|Middlesbrough's Fabrizio Ravanelli was the only player to score a hat-trick more than once during the 1996–97 season. Player For Against Result Date Ref ENG Kevin Campbell Kevin Campbell (footballer) Nottingham Forest Coventry City 3–0 (A) dmy 1996 8 17 https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/campbell-calls-tune-1310340.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/campbell-calls-tune-1310340.html 1 May 2022 subscription Campbell calls tune 15 July 2009 18 August 1996 Jon Culley The Independent London ITA Fabrizio Ravanelli Middlesbrough Liverpool 3–3 (H) dmy 1996 8 17 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/article825249.ece The Times 14 July 2009 9 November 2002 Middlesbrough v Liverpool LondonSeptember 2024 medicmedic ENG Ian Wright Arsenal Sheffield Wednesday 4–1 (H) dmy 1996 9 16 https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footballwrights-hattrick-lifts-the-gloom-1363770.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/footballwrights-hattrick-lifts-the-gloom-1363770.html 1 May 2022 subscription Football: Wright's hat-trick lifts the gloom 15 July 2009 17 September 1996 Glenn Moore The Independent London TRI Dwight YorkeL Aston Villa Newcastle United 3–4 (A) dmy 1996 9 30 https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/yorkes-hattrick-in-vain-for-villa-1356262.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/yorkes-hattrick-in-vain-for-villa-1356262.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Yorke hat-trick in vain for Villa 15 July 2009 1 October 1996 Simon Turnbull The Independent London WAL Gary Speed Everton Southampton 7–1 (H) dmy 1996 11 16 https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-speed-puts-foot-down-1352862.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-speed-puts-foot-down-1352862.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Football: Speed puts foot down 15 July 2009 17 November 1996 Geoff Brown The Independent London ENG Robbie Fowler4 Liverpool Middlesbrough 5–1 (H) dmy 1996 12 14http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=242271 Soccerbase 14 July 2009 Liverpool 5–1 Middlesbrough https://web.archive.org/web/20050217222558/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=242271 17 February 2005 dead ENG Alan Shearer Newcastle United Leicester City 4–3 (H) dmy 1997 2 2 https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-shearer-provides-newcastle-fantasy-1276647.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-shearer-provides-newcastle-fantasy-1276647.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Football: Shearer provides Newcastle fantasy 15 July 2009 3 February 1997 The Independent Guy Hodgson London ENG Ian Marshall Ian Marshall (English footballer) Leicester City Derby County 4–2 (H) dmy 1997 2 22 https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-marshalls-triple-tale-of-the-unexpected-1280259.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-marshalls-triple-tale-of-the-unexpected-1280259.html 1 May 2022 subscription The Independent 23 February 1997 15 July 2009 Football: Marshall's triple tale of the unexpected Norman Fox London NOR Steffen Iversen Tottenham Hotspur Sunderland 4–0 (A) dmy 1997 3 4 The Independent 15 July 2009 https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-spurs-boosted-by-iversens-hattrick-1271210.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-spurs-boosted-by-iversens-hattrick-1271210.html 1 May 2022 subscription Football: Spurs boosted by Iversen's hat-trick Tommy Stamiforth 5 March 1997 London ITA Fabrizio Ravanelli Middlesbrough Derby County 6–1 (H) dmy 1997 3 5 The Independent 15 July 2009 https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ravanelli-hattrick-bodes-well-for-boro-1271371.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-ravanelli-hattrick-bodes-well-for-boro-1271371.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Football: Ravanelli hat-trick bodes well for Boro Simon Turnbull 6 March 1997 London SCO Kevin Gallacher Blackburn Rovers Wimbledon 3–1 (H) dmy 1997 3 15 The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gallacher-takes-advantage-of-sullivans-sudden-relapse-1273352.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gallacher-takes-advantage-of-sullivans-sudden-relapse-1273352.html 1 May 2022 subscription live 15 July 2009 17 March 1997 Football: Gallacher takes advantage of Sullivan's sudden relapse Dave Hadfield London ENG Paul Kitson West Ham United Sheffield Wednesday 5–1 (H) dmy 1997 5 3 https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-kitson-glory-day-1259742.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-kitson-glory-day-1259742.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Kitson glory day 15 July 2009 4 May 1997 Bob Houston The Independent London Note: 4 Player scored 4 goals; L Player finished on the losing side; (H) – Home; (A) – Away Top assists thumb|upright|Manchester United's Eric Cantona assisted 12 goals for the club in the 1996–97 Premier League season. Rank Player Club Assistshttps://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist Statistical Leaders – 1997 Premier League 5 May 2018 live https://web.archive.org/web/20170624144700/https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/goal_assist 24 June 2017 1 FRA 1974 Eric Cantona Manchester United 12 2 ENG Neal Ardley Wimbledon 11 3 NED Dennis Bergkamp Arsenal 9 ENG Andy Hinchcliffe Everton SCO Gary McAllister Coventry City ITA Gianfranco Zola Chelsea 7 ENG Nick Barmby Everton 8 ENG David Beckham Manchester United NOR Stig Inge Bjørnebye Liverpool ENG Les Ferdinand Newcastle United Awards thumb|upright|Southampton's Graeme Souness was the only manager to win the Manager of the Month award more than once. Monthly awards MonthManager of the MonthPlayer of the MonthManagerClubPlayerClubAugustENG David PleatSheffield WednesdayENG David BeckhamManchester UnitedSeptemberIRE Joe KinnearWimbledonCZE Patrik BergerLiverpoolOctoberSCO Graeme SounessSouthamptonENG Matt Le TissierSouthamptonNovemberENG Jim SmithDerby CountyENG Ian WrightArsenalDecemberSCO Gordon StrachanCoventry CityITA Gianfranco ZolaChelseaJanuaryENG Stuart PearceNottingham ForestENG Tim FlowersBlackburn RoversFebruarySCO Alex FergusonManchester UnitedENGEarle was born in England, but made his debut for Jamaica in September 1997. Robbie EarleWimbledonMarchENG Bryan RobsonMiddlesbroughBRA JuninhoMiddlesbroughAprilSCO Graeme SounessSouthamptonENGEvans was born in England, but made his debut for the Republic of Ireland in October 1997. Mickey EvansSouthampton Annual awards Award Winner Club Premier League Manager of the Season SCO Alex Ferguson "Seasonal Awards 1996/97" https://web.archive.org/web/20060318210313/http://www.premierleague.com/fapl.rac?command=setSelectedId&nextPage=enNewsLatest&id=466965&type=com.fapl.website.news.NewsItem&categoryCode=NewsSpecialFeatures&breadcrumb=sfsub_breadcrumb 18 March 2006 . Retrieved 20 September 2006. Manchester United Premier League Player of the Season BRA Juninho Middlesbrough PFA Players' Player of the Year ENG Alan Shearer"England Player Honours – Professional Footballers' Association Players' Players of the Year". Retrieved 20 September 2006. Newcastle United PFA Young Player of the Year ENG David Beckham"England Player Honours – Professional Footballers' Association Young Players of the Year". Retrieved 20 September 2006. Manchester United FWA Footballer of the Year ITA Gianfranco Zola"England Player Honours – Football Writers' Association Footballers of the Year". Retrieved 20 September 2006. Chelsea PFA Team of the Year Goalkeeper ENG David Seaman (Arsenal) Defence ENG Gary Neville (Manchester United) ENG Tony Adams (Arsenal) ENG Mark Wright (Liverpool) NOR Stig Inge Bjørnebye (Liverpool) Midfield ENG David Beckham (Manchester United) IRE Roy Keane (Manchester United) ENG David Batty (Newcastle United) ENG Steve McManaman (Liverpool) Attack ENG Alan Shearer (Newcastle United) ENG Ian Wright (Arsenal) Attendances Manchester United drew the highest average home attendance in the 1996-97 edition of the Premier League. { class"wikitable sortable" !#!!Football club!!Home games!!Average attendancehttps://www.worldfootball.net/competition/co91/se3285/attendance/ Premier League 1996/1997 » Attendance Home matches www.worldfootball.net - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Manchester United 19 55,081 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Liverpool FC 19 39,777 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Arsenal FC 19 37,821 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Newcastle United 19 36,467 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Everton FC 19 36,188 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Aston Villa 19 36,027 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Leeds United 19 32,118 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Tottenham Hotspur 19 31,067 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Middlesbrough FC 19 29,871 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Chelsea FC 19 27,617 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Sheffield Wednesday 19 25,714 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Blackburn Rovers 19 24,947 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Nottingham Forest 19 24,587 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count West Ham United 19 23,209 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Sunderland AFC 19 20,974 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Leicester City 19 20,184 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Coventry City 19 19,608 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Derby County 19 17,889 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Wimbledon FC 19 15,139 - style"text-align:center;" _row_count Southampton FC 19 15,105 - } See also 1996–97 in English football Notes References External links 1996–97 Premier League Season at RSSSF 1996–97 1 England