The 1896–97 Irish League was the 7th edition of the Irish League, the highest level of league competition in Irish football.
The league comprised six teams, an increase from the four of the previous season. Glentoran won the championship for the second time.
Season summary After two seasons of historically low numbers of just four teams, two teams were elected into the league for the 1896–97 season: Celtic (who from 1901 onwards would become more commonly known as "Belfast Celtic") and the North Staffordshire Regiment, the second British Army team to compete in the league after the Lancashire Fusiliers who competed in the 1891–92 season. Neither side had a ground, meaning all their matches were played at their opponents' grounds.
Teams and locations
Team Town Home Ground Celtic No home ground Cliftonville Belfast Solitude Distillery Belfast Grosvenor Park Glentoran Belfast The Oval Linfield Belfast Balmoral North Staffordshire Regiment No home ground
League standings
Results League
2nd/3rd place play-off Cliftonville 3–2 Linfield (Solitude, Belfast)
References
External links Northern Ireland - List of final tables (RSSSF)