During the 1996–97 English football season, AFC Bournemouth competed in the Football League Second Division.

Season summary In the 1996–97 season, Bournemouth had another satisfying campaign, this time finishing in 16th place. Their financial problems off the pitch continued with Ken Gardiner resigning as chairman in December and Brian Willis took over as acting chairman until the summer. In January 1997, Bournemouth were £4.4m in debt and started a petition to raise £300,000 to see the whole season through. Bournemouth also owe £2.1m to Lloyds Bank and another £450,000 was also owed in VAT and PAYE that wasn't paid. As a result of this, 12 members of coaching staff were sacked which also included their assistant manager John Williams.

Final league table

Results Bournemouth's score comes first

Legend WinDrawLoss

Football League Second Division DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 17 August 1996 WatfordH1–27,672Brissett 24 August 1996 York CityA2–12,804Brissett, Fletcher 27 August 1996 Stockport CountyA1–03,446Brissett 31 August 1996 Peterborough UnitedH1–24,587Fletcher 7 September 1996 Crewe AlexandraH0–13,218 10 September 1996 Bristol RoversA2–34,170Fletcher, Murray 14 September 1996 Preston North EndA1–08,268Fletcher 21 September 1996 Notts CountyH0–13,402 28 September 1996 Rotherham UnitedA0–12,648 1 October 1996 WalsallH0–12,747 5 October 1996 GillinghamA1–16,162Holland 12 October 1996 Wycombe WanderersH2–13,984Holland, Watson 15 October 1996 Plymouth ArgyleH1–03,818Fletcher 19 October 1996 WrexhamA0–23,945 26 October 1996 Luton TownA0–25,635 29 October 1996 Bristol CityH0–24,197 2 November 1996 BuryH1–13,946Holland 9 November 1996 BlackpoolA1–13,744Cox 19 November 1996 BrentfordH2–13,464Robinson (2, 1 pen) 23 November 1996 BurnleyA0–18,564 30 November 1996 Luton TownH3–24,322Robinson (2), Cox 3 December 1996 Shrewsbury TownA1–11,610Holland 14 December 1996 MillwallH1–14,494Holland 21 December 1996 ChesterfieldA1–14,174Cox 26 December 1996 Bristol RoversH1–05,036Watson 28 December 1996 Crewe AlexandraA0–23,687 11 January 1997 Rotherham UnitedH1–13,161Cox 18 January 1997 WalsallA1–23,037Fletcher 25 January 1997 Bristol CityA1–010,434Cox 1 February 1997 BlackpoolH0–08,201 4 February 1997 Notts CountyA2–02,757Cox, Town 8 February 1997 BuryA1–23,559Robinson (pen) 11 February 1997 Preston North EndH2–04,769Brissett, Cox 15 February 1997 BurnleyH0–06,021 22 February 1997 BrentfordA0–16,071 1 March 1997 Shrewsbury TownH0–05,810 11 March 1997 ChesterfieldH3–03,368Fletcher, Robinson, Rawlinson 15 March 1997 MillwallA1–08,992Bailey 22 March 1997 York CityH1–14,367Town 29 March 1997 WatfordA1–010,019Cox 1 April 1997 Stockport CountyH0–05,476 5 April 1997 Peterborough UnitedA1–34,221Rawlinson 12 April 1997 GillinghamH2–25,008Murray, Robinson 19 April 1997 Wycombe WanderersA1–16,043Holland 26 April 1997 WrexhamH2–14,805O'Neill, Holland 3 May 1997 Plymouth ArgyleA0–06,507

FA Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR116 November 1996 BrentfordA0–24,509

League Cup

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR1 1st Leg 20 August 1996 Ipswich TownA1–26,163FletcherR1 2nd Leg 3 September 1996 Ipswich TownH0–3 (lost 1–5 on agg)4,119

Football League Trophy

+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersSR110 December 1996 Plymouth ArgyleA0–2944

Squad

References