1895/96◄ English Football Summaries ►1897/98
English Football - Season 1896/97
Football League First Division - 1896/97
| Club | Position | Results | FA Cup | Notes |
| Aston Villa | 1st | Results | Winners | - |
| Blackburn Rovers | 14th | Results | Quarter Finals | - |
| Bolton Wanderers | 8th | Results | 2nd Round | - |
| Burnley | ♦▼16th | Results | 1st Round | ♦▼Relegated after Test Matches |
| Bury | 9th | Results | 2nd Round | - |
| Derby County | 3rd | Results | Semi Finals | - |
| Everton | 7th | Results | Runners Up | - |
| Liverpool | 5th | Results | Semi Finals | - |
| Nottingham Forest | 11th | Results | Quarter Finals | - |
| Preston North End | 4th | Results | Quarter Finals | - |
| Sheffield United | 2nd | Results | 1st Round | - |
| Stoke | 13th | Results | 2nd Round | - |
| Sunderland | ♦►15th | Results | 2nd Round | - |
| The Wednesday | 6th | Results | 1st Round | - |
| West Bromwich Albion | 12th | Results | 2nd Round | - |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 10th | Results | 2nd Round | - |
Football League Second Division - 1896/97
| Club | Position | Results | FA Cup | Notes |
| Blackpool | 8th | Results | 5th Qualifying | - |
| Burton Swifts | ►14th | Results | 1st Round | ►Re-Elected to League |
| Burton Wanderers | ▼15th | Results | 1st Round | ▼Not Re-Elected to League |
| Darwen | 11th | Results | 3rd Qualifying | - |
| Gainsborough Trinity | 7th | Results | 3rd Qualifying | - |
| Grimsby Town | 3rd | Results | 1st Round | - |
| Leicester Fosse | 9th | Results | 5th Qualifying | - |
| Lincoln City | ►16th | Results | 5th Qualifying | ►Re-Elected to League |
| Loughborough | 13th | Results | 3rd Qualifying | - |
| Manchester City | 6th | Results | 1st Round | - |
| Newcastle United | 5th | Results | 1st Round | - |
| Newton Heath | ♦►2nd | Results | Quarter Finals | ♦►Remained in Division |
| Notts County | ♦▲1st | Results | 2nd Round | ♦▲Promoted after Test Matches |
| Small Heath | 4th | Results | 1st Round | - |
| Walsall | 12th | Results | 4th Qualifying | - |
| Woolwich Arsenal | 10th | Results | 5th Qualifying | - |
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Election for League Membership |
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| The three bottom clubs were required to seek re-election to the League. They were joined in the vote for League membership by 7 non-league clubs. | ||
| Votes | Club | End Result |
| 21 | Lincoln City | ►Re Elected to the League |
| 15 | Burton Swifts | ►Re Elected to the League |
| 13 | Luton Town | ▲Elected to the League |
| 11 | Burslem Port Vale | Not Elected to the League |
| 9 | Burton Wanderers | ▼Not Re-Elected to the League |
| 7 | Nelson | Not Elected to the League |
| 5 | Glossop North End | Not Elected to the League |
| 3 | Fairfield Athletic | Not Elected to the League |
| 2 | Crewe Alexandra | Not Elected to the League |
| 1 | Millwall Athletic | Not Elected to the League |
1895/96◄ English Football Summaries ►1897/98