During the 1996–97 English football season, Watford F.C. competed in the Football League Second Division.

Season summary In the 1996–97 season, although Jackett oversaw a long unbeaten stretch of results, Watford were unable to mount a serious promotion challenge and finished a disappointing campaign in 13th place – Watford's lowest position in the league structure since the 1970s. During the close season, Jackett was demoted to the position of first-team coach, with Graham Taylor once again becoming manager.

Final league table

Results Watford's score comes first

Legend WinDrawLoss

Football League Second Division DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 17 August 1996 BournemouthA2–17,672Connolly, White 24 August 1996 MillwallH0–29,495 27 August 1996 Plymouth ArgyleH0–27,349 31 August 1996 Crewe AlexandraA2–03,655Palmer, Mooney 7 September 1996 Stockport CountyH1–07,208Mooney (pen) 10 September 1996 Notts CountyA3–23,660Mooney (2), Andrews 14 September 1996 Bristol RoversA1–06,276White 21 September 1996 Peterborough UnitedH0–012,007 28 September 1996 Shrewsbury TownA0–13,655 1 October 1996 Preston North EndH1–06,434Palmer 5 October 1996 York CityA2–15,232Andrews, Penrice 12 October 1996 WrexhamH1–18,441Mooney (pen) 15 October 1996 BurnleyH2–26,450Andrews, R Johnson 19 October 1996 BuryA1–14,092Andrews 26 October 1996 BlackpoolA1–16,072Mooney 29 October 1996 Luton TownH1–114,109Bazeley 2 November 1996 BrentfordH2–011,448Gibbs, Mooney 9 November 1996 Rotherham UnitedA0–03,619 19 November 1996 Wycombe WanderersH1–07,657Connolly 30 November 1996 BlackpoolH2–212,017Millen, Noel-Williams 3 December 1996 Bristol CityA1–19,097Noel-Williams 14 December 1996 WalsallH1–13,674R Johnson 21 December 1996 GillinghamH0–07,809 26 December 1996 Notts CountyH0–09,065 18 January 1997 Preston North EndA1–18,735Mooney 27 January 1997 Luton TownA0–07,428 1 February 1997 Rotherham UnitedH2–010,657Bazeley, Slater 8 February 1997 BrentfordA1–18,679Scott 22 February 1997 Wycombe WanderersA0–08,438 25 February 1997 Shrewsbury TownH2–06,378Phillips, Bazeley 1 March 1997 Bristol CityH3–08,539Phillips (3) 4 March 1997 Peterborough UnitedA1–24,200Mooney 8 March 1997 GillinghamA1–37,385Scott 15 March 1997 WalsallH1–07,818Mooney 18 March 1997 Bristol RoversH1–06,139Mooney 22 March 1997 MillwallA1–08,713Mooney 29 March 1997 BournemouthH0–110,019 31 March 1997 Plymouth ArgyleA0–06,836 5 April 1997 Crewe AlexandraH0–112,441 8 April 1997 ChesterfieldA0–04,258 12 April 1997 York CityH4–07,645Ramage (2), Mooney, Easton 14 April 1997 Stockport CountyA0–17,164 19 April 1997 WrexhamA1–33,437Ramage 24 April 1997 ChesterfieldH0–26,411 26 April 1997 BuryH0–09,017 3 May 1997 BurnleyA1–48,269Millen

FA Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR117 November 1996 Northampton TownA1–07,342BazeleyR27 December 1996 Ashford TownH5–07,590Bazeley (2), Connolly (3)R321 January 1997 Oxford UnitedH2–09,502White, ConnollyR45 February 1997 Manchester CityA1–324,031Noel-Williams

League Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR1 1st Leg 20 August 1996 WalsallA0–12,659R1 2nd Leg 3 September 1996 WalsallH2–0 (won 2–1 on agg)5,325Andrews, PorterR2 1st Leg 17 September 1996 SunderlandH0–29,136R2 2nd Leg 24 September 1996 SunderlandA0–1 (lost 0–3 on agg)10,659

Football League Trophy

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersSR27 January 1997 Torquay UnitedH2–12,298Page, ConnollySQF11 February 1997 Bristol CityH2–13,142Andrews, BazeleySSF18 February 1997 Peterborough UnitedH0–14,941

Players First-team squad Squad at end of season

Left club during season

Reserve squad

References

Notes