1996–97 Blackpool F.C. season

The 1996–97 season was Blackpool F.C.'s 89th season (86th consecutive) in the Football League. They competed in the 24-team Division Two, then the third tier of English league football, finishing seventh. 5 September 1996 marked the 100th anniversary of Blackpool's first match in the Football League.

Blackpool F.C.
1996–97 season
OwnerOwen Oyston
ChairmanVicki Oyston
ManagerGary Megson
Division Two7th
FA CupSecond round
League CupSecond round
Football League TrophyNorthern quarter finals
Top goalscorerLeague: Tony Ellis (15)
All: Tony Ellis (18)

Season summary

Sam Allardyce was fired after failing to bring the club promotion the previous season. He was replaced by the former Norwich City manager Gary Megson.

Tony Ellis was the club's top scorer for the third consecutive season, with eighteen goals (fifteen in the league and three in the League Cup).

Final league table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or relegation
5Bristol City462110156951+1873Participated in play-offs
6Crewe Alexandra46227175647+973Promoted through play-offs
7Blackpool461815136047+1369
8Wrexham461718115550+569
9Burnley461911167155+1668
Source: [1]
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).

Results

Blackpool's score comes first[2]

Legend
WinDrawLoss

Football League Second Division

DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers
17 August 1996ChesterfieldH0–16,014
24 August 1996Bristol CityA1–09,387Ellis
27 August 1996Rotherham UnitedA2–12,914Philpott, Preece
31 August 1996Wycombe WanderersH0–04,856
7 September 1996WalsallH2–15,176Philpott, Quinn (pen)
10 September 1996BurnleyA0–213,599
14 September 1996BrentfordA1–15,908Quinn (pen)
21 September 1996Shrewsbury TownH1–14,452Ellis
28 September 1996Luton TownA0–15,303
1 October 1996Crewe AlexandraA2–34,314Brabin, Quinn
5 October 1996BuryA0–15,317
12 October 1996GillinghamH2–04,320Ellis, Mellon
15 October 1996WrexhamH3–34,014Preece (2), Mellon
19 October 1996Bristol RoversA0–05,823
26 October 1996WatfordH1–16,072Quinn
30 October 1996MillwallA1–27,179Malkin
2 November 1996Peterborough UnitedA0–07,011
9 November 1996AFC BournemouthH1–13,744Quinn
19 November 1996Stockport CountyA0–14,572
23 November 1996Notts CountyH1–03,598Quinn (pen)
30 November 1996WatfordA2–212,017Malkin, Brabin
3 December 1996Plymouth ArgyleH2–22,690Philpott, Malkin
13 December 1996Preston North EndA0–314,626
21 December 1996York CityH3–03,432Ellis, Quinn (2, 1 pens)
1 January 1997Shrewsbury TownA3–12,787Preece (2), Mellon
18 January 1997Crewe AlexandraH1–24,760Ellis
25 January 1997MillwallH3–04,523Ellis, Quinn, Darton
1 February 1997AFC BournemouthA0–08,201
8 February 1997Peterborough UnitedH5–14,001Ellis (3), Preece, Bryan
15 February 1997Notts CountyA1–15,281Quinn
22 February 1997Stockport CountyH2–15,772Quinn, Ellis
25 February 1997BurnleyH1–37,331Quinn
1 March 1997Plymouth ArgyleA1–05,585Ellis
8 March 1997York CityA0–13,639
15 March 1997Preston North EndH2–18,017Clarkson (2)
18 March 1997WalsallA1–13,459Clarkson
22 March 1997Bristol CityH1–04,518Preece
29 March 1997ChesterfieldA0–04,974
31 March 1997Rotherham UnitedH4–15,524Linighan, Clarkson, Ellis, Barlow
5 April 1997Wycombe WanderersA0–15,619
12 April 1997BuryH2–06,812Ellis (2)
15 April 1997Luton TownH0–04,382
19 April 1997GillinghamA3–25,151Quinn, Mellon, Clarkson
22 April 1997BrentfordH1–04,030Preece
26 April 1997Bristol RoversH3–26,673Preece (2), Bonner
3 May 1997WrexhamA1–25,664Ellis

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R116 November 1996Wigan AthleticH1–05,465Quinn (pen)
R27 December 1996Hednesford TownH0–14,583

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R1 1st Leg20 August 1996Scunthorpe UnitedA1–21,880Quinn
R1 2nd Leg3 September 1996Scunthorpe UnitedH2–0 (won 3–2 on agg)2,560Ellis, Philpott
R2 1st Leg18 September 1996ChelseaH1–49,666Quinn
R2 2nd Leg25 September 1996ChelseaA3–1 (lost 4–5 on agg)11,732Ellis (2), Quinn

Football League Trophy

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
NR110 December 1996Rotherham UnitedA1–0 (a.e.t.)1,143
NR214 January 1997Lincoln CityH4–01,578
NQF4 February 1997Crewe AlexandraA0–13,033

Squad

[3]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos. NationPlayer
MF  ENGMark Bonner
MF  ENGGary Brabin
MF  ENGPaul Carden
MF  ENGPhil Clarkson
MF  SCOMicky Mellon
MF  ENGUdo Onwere
MF  ENGLee Philpott
MF  ENGKeith Russell
MF  IRLBilly Woods (on loan from Tranmere Rovers)
FW  ENGTony Ellis
FW  ENGChris Malkin
FW  ENGBrett Ormerod
FW  ENGAndy Preece
FW  NIRJames Quinn
FW  ENGLee Thorpe

References

  • Calley, Roy (1992). Blackpool: A Complete Record 1887-1992. Breedon Books Sport. ISBN 1-873626-07-X.