The Football Conference season of 1996–97 was the eighteenth season of the Football Conference, also known as the Vauxhall Conference for sponsorship reasons.
Overview Macclesfield Town won their second Conference title in three years, and this time earned a promotion to the Football League – thanks to their upgraded stadium – at the expense of Hereford United.
New teams in the league this season Hayes (promoted 1995–96) Rushden & Diamonds (promoted 1995–96)
Final league table
Results
Promotion and relegation
Promoted Macclesfield Town (to the Football League Third Division) Cheltenham Town (from the Southern Premier League) Leek Town (from the Northern Premier League) Yeovil Town (from the Isthmian League)
Relegated Hereford United (from the Football League Third Division) Altrincham (to the Northern Premier League) Bath City (to the Southern Premier League) Bromsgrove Rovers (to the Southern Premier League)
Top scorers in order of league goals Rank Player Club League FA Cup FA Trophy League Cup Total1 Lee Hughes Kidderminster Harriers 30121342 Lennie Dennis Welling United 21112253 Andy Whittaker Southport 19620274 Gary Abbott Slough Town 18000185 Justin Jackson Woking 17420236 Barry Hayles Stevenage Borough 1632021= David Leworthy Rushden & Diamonds 1640020= Lee Steele Northwich Victoria 16000169 Joe O'Connor Hednesford 1590024= Paul Thompson Gateshead 1561123= Clive Walker Woking 1531019= Steve Wood Macclesfield Town 150011613 Mike Davis Bath City 1470021= Neil Doherty Kidderminster Harriers 1411016= Niell Hardy Altrincham 1431018= Mickey Norbury Halifax Town 140001417 Carl Alford Rushden & Diamonds 1320015= Ian Arnold Stalybridge Celtic 1300013= Chris Boothe Farnborough Town 1390325= Martin Randall Hayes 1304017= Phil Wingfield Farnborough Town 1321016
References
External links 1996–97 Conference National Results