The 1997 season of the 3. divisjon, the fourth highest association football league for men in Norway.

Between 20 and 24 games (depending on group size) were played in 19 groups, with 3 points given for wins and 1 for draws. All group winners were promoted to the 2. divisjon, as well as some of the best runners-up.

Tables

Group 1 Bjerke – promoted Rælingen Hafslund Torp Lisleby Ullensaker/Kisa Greåker Drøbak/Frogn 2 – relegated Skjetten 2 Sørumsand – relegated Aurskog/Finstadbru – relegated Nittedal – relegated

Group 2 Rakkestad – promoted Skeid 2 Kvik Halden Trøgstad/Båstad Moss 2 Nordby Kolbotn Rygge Tune Vestby – relegated Nesodden – relegated Hærland – relegated

Group 3 Vålerenga 2 – promoted Brandval Grue Fart Kongsvinger 2 Vang Kjellmyra Manglerud Star Gjelleråsen Grorud – relegated Oppsal – relegated Stange – relegated

Group 4 Nybergsund – promoted Vardal Vinstra Trysil Kolbu/KK Lillehammer FK Toten Sel Follebu Nordre Land – relegated Vind – relegated Ringsaker – relegated

Group 5 Stabæk 2 – promoted Lyn 2 – promoted Asker Flint Teie Holmen Fram Fagerborg Borre Fevang – relegated KFUM – relegated Tjølling – relegated

Group 6 Drafn – promoted Skarphedin Birkebeineren Slemmestad (-> Slemmestad/Bødalen) Storm Snøgg Skotfoss Åmot Rjukan Tønsberg FK – relegated Urædd – relegated Solberg – relegated

Group 7 Mandalskameratene – promoted Tollnes Lyngdal Kvinesdal Randesund Grim/Start 2 Våg Langesund Sørfjell Donn – relegated Øyestad – relegated Kragerø – relegated

Group 8 Klepp – promoted Bryne 2 Rosseland Hana Hundvåg Figgjo Varhaug Egersund Nærbø Buøy – relegated Staal – relegated Sokndal – relegated Stavanger – relegated

Group 9 Haugesund 2 – promoted Sandnes – promoted Nord Åkra Odda Grannekameratene Bremnes Skjold Kjøkkelvik Djerv 1919 – relegated Solid – relegated Avaldsnes – relegated

Group 10 Os – promoted Ny-Krohnborg Kleppestø Vadmyra Follese Radøy Florvåg Bjørnar Nymark Hovding – relegated Bergen Sparta – relegated Kalandseid – relegated Austrheim – relegated

Group 11 Jotun – promoted Sogndal 2 – promoted Tornado Sandane Florø Dale Fjøra Eid Eikefjord Høyang Jølster Anga

Group 12 Aalesund 2 – promoted Velledalen og Ringen Spjelkavik Hødd 2 Langevåg Bergsøy Brattvåg Stranda Hareid Valder Aksla – relegated Herd – relegated

Group 13 Clausenengen – promoted Kristiansund – promoted Bryn Ekko/Aureosen Søya Kvass/Ulvungen Sunndal Tomrefjord – relegated Bøfjord Surnadal Isfjorden Bud

Group 14 Orkdal – promoted Singsås Tynset NTHI Løkken Røros KIL/Hemne Heimdal Strindheim 2 – relegated Hitra – relegated Leinstrand – relegated Brekken – relegated

Group 15 Bangsund – promoted Tiller Melhus Kvamskameratene Fram Levanger Tranabakkan Verdal 2 Vinne Vanvik – relegated Steinkjer 2 – relegated Fosen – relegated

Group 16 Bodø/Glimt 2 – promoted Saltdalkameratene Brønnøysund Nesna Sørfold Stålkameratene 2 – relegated Korgen Nedre Beiarn – relegated Nordre Meløy Sømna (-> Sømna/Tjalg) Grand Bodø – relegated

Group 17 Morild – promoted Landsås Flakstad Vågakameratene Medkila Leknes Skånland Grovfjord Stokmarknes – relegated Beisfjord Andenes – relegated Kvæfjord – relegated

Group 18 Lyngen/Karnes – promoted Ulfstind – promoted Nordreisa Skarp Salangen Balsfjord (-> Nordkjosbotn/Balsfjord) Ramfjord Bardu Tromsdalen 2 Sørreisa – relegated Pioner – relegated Storfjord – relegated

Group 19 Hammerfest – promoted Kirkenes Kautokeino Honningsvåg Sørøy Glimt Nordkinn Bossekop Alta 2 – relegated Golnes – relegated Bjørnevatn Lakselv Nordlys

References