The 1996–97 North West Counties Football League season was the 15th in the history of the North West Counties Football League, a football competition in England.
The league comprised two divisions, Division One and Division Two (at levels 8 and 9 respectively of the English football league system), and there were additionally three cup competitions: the League Challenge Cup knockout competition, open to all the league's clubs; the Second Division Trophy, a knockout trophy competition for Division Two clubs only; and the Floodlit Trophy competition for all the league's clubs with floodlights. The league also had a reserves team section.
Division One
Division One featured featured 22 clubs, 20 remaining from the previous season plus 2 additions, both promoted from Division Two: Atherton Collieries, promoted as runners-up Vauxhall GM, promoted as champions
At the end of the season the leavers from the division were: the champions Trafford, automatically promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One; Penrith who transferred to the Northern League Division One; Eastwood Hanley who folded and left the league; and Bootle who suffered an enforced relegation to Division Two as their ground did not meet the requirements of Division One. Owing to the latter two departures both the bottom clubs were reprieved from relegation.
League table
Division Two
Division Two featured featured 20 clubs, 16 remaining from the previous season plus 4 additions: Garswood United, promoted as champions of the Mid-Cheshire League Division One Leek CSOB, promoted as champions of the Midland League Skelmersdale United, relegated from Division One Colne, a newly formed club
At the end of the season the champions Ramsbottom United (who had joined the league the previous season) and runners-up Haslingden (who were denied promotion three seasons previously on ground grading issues) were promoted to Division One. For the first occasion two Division Two clubs, Ramsbottom United with 100 and Tetley Walker with 105, both scored at least a century of goals over the season. The latter club were involved in setting a new league single match total goal record of 17 on 5 May 1997 when they defeated Nelson 15–2. The bottom two clubs, potentially subject to demotion, both remained in the division.
League table
League Challenge Cup The 1996–97 League Challenge Cup was a knockout competition open to all the league's clubs. The final between the two leading Division One clubs, played at Bury F.C., was won 2–1 by Newcastle Town who defeated Trafford the therefore denied them the league and cup double.
Semi-finals and Final
The semi-finals were decided on aggregate score from two legs played
Club's division appended to team name: (D1)=Division One sources: Semi-finals: Final:
Second Division Trophy The 1996–97 Second Division Trophy was a knockout competition for Division Two clubs only. The winners were Nelson who defeated league newcomers Garswood United 1–0 in the final played at Darwen F.C.
Semi-finals and Final
The semi-finals were decided on aggregate score from two legs played
sources: Semi-finals: Final:
Floodlit Trophy The 1996–97 Floodlit Trophy was a competition open to all the league's clubs with floodlights. The final was played at Clitheroe F.C.and featured Division One clubs at the north and south ends of the area covered by the league. The winners were Penrith (who were shortly to transfer away from the league) they defeated Newcastle Town – who were thus denied a League Challenge and Floodlit cup double and a third Floodlit Trophy win. It was Penrith's second win in the competition, having won it two seasons previously.
Reserves Section Main honours for the 1996–97 season: Reserves Division Winners: Trafford Reserves Runners-up: Clitheroe Reserves
Reserves Division Cup Winners: Trafford Reserves Runners-up: Clitheroe Reserves
References
External links The official website of the North West Counties Football League North West Counties Football League Tables at RSSSF