The Football Conference season of 1996–97 was the eighteenth season of the Football Conference, also known as the Vauxhall Conference for sponsorship reasons.

Overview

Macclesfield Town won their second Conference title in three years, and this time earned a promotion to the Football League – thanks to their upgraded stadium – at the expense of Hereford United.

New teams in the league this season

Final league table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion or relegation
1Macclesfield Town (C, P)4227968030+5090Promotion to the Football League Third Division
2Kidderminster Harriers4226798442+4285
3Stevenage Borough42241088753+3482
4Morecambe42199146956+1366
5Woking421810147163+864
6Northwich Victoria421712136154+763
7Farnborough Town421613135853+561
8Hednesford Town421612145250+260
9Telford United421610164656−1058
10Gateshead421511165963−456
11Southport421510175161−1055
12Rushden & Diamonds421411176163−253
13Stalybridge Celtic421410185358−552
14Kettering Town42149195362−951
15Hayes421214165455−150
16Slough Town421214166265−350
17Dover Athletic421214165768−1150
18Welling United42139205060−1048
19Halifax Town421212185574−1948
20Bath City (R)421211195380−2747Relegation to the Southern League Premier Division
21Bromsgrove Rovers (R)42125254167−2641
22Altrincham (R)42912214973−2439Relegation to the Northern Premier League Premier Division

Results

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Altrincham1–33–11–20–30–12–10–21–14–30–10–10–12–34–30–11–01–01–22–31–11–1
Bath City1–21–02–11–13–00–03–12–10–20–30–32–13–23–20–00–20–20–02–33–13–1
Bromsgrove Rovers4–02–13–11–12–23–02–21–01–20–10–32–30–50–14–10–10–11–12–11–00–3
Dover Athletic2–22–22–00–00–12–21–02–20–10–52–13–02–21–10–00–12–13–31–42–15–1
Farnborough Town1–14–12–12–31–23–01–11–00–22–10–12–22–22–22–13–31–03–10–22–11–2
Gateshead1–15–01–01–31–00–11–10–11–13–10–00–35–11–02–12–20–22–22–31–23–2
Halifax Town1–14–51–01–33–02–02–21–02–12–33–31–10–31–34–12–04–14–20–31–10–4
Hayes3–10–11–02–00–00–00–04–02–10–10–22–31–11–15–01–10–21–30–11–13–2
Hednesford Town2–22–03–01–10–10–01–12–00–01–44–12–13–01–02–10–12–10–00–00–32–0
Kettering Town3–11–02–01–13–14–14–12–20–23–11–40–21–01–50–00–11–01–20–12–30–0
Kidderminster Harriers1–16–01–24–12–33–23–05–12–14–00–02–21–01–01–23–01–13–01–03–21–0
Macclesfield Town1–12–24–01–03–03–01–01–04–02–00–10–00–12–12–03–22–02–12–11–15–0
Morecambe2–11–11–03–11–14–01–02–42–25–22–31–02–02–00–02–10–01–20–11–21–2
Northwich Victoria2–21–01–02–01–14–22–22–12–12–11–12–11–01–20–15–10–10–11–00–01–2
Rushden & Diamonds3–24–11–21–10–20–41–02–20–21–01–11–12–11–12–23–01–10–12–03–01–1
Slough Town0–15–22–02–21–10–11–01–32–21–10–20–01–23–45–01–14–11–66–03–33–0
Southport1–33–10–00–10–31–12–10–21–22–21–01–53–10–02–10–13–00–00–13–24–1
Stalybridge Celtic1–02–23–04–22–02–52–33–11–23–14–10–12–10–12–02–22–20–30–00–00–2
Stevenage Borough2–12–13–04–13–14–16–02–03–20–02–22–34–22–04–12–22–11–13–02–10–3
Telford United0–01–13–11–02–00–31–10–01–11–00–20–32–32–20–50–21–01–12–32–01–2
Welling United1–02–01–21–00–22–00–11–01–21–20–10–31–41–10–13–22–32–02–02–11–1
Woking7–12–21–31–10–21–12–21–22–02–12–12–31–23–14–22–00–13–23–10–02–1
1996–97 Football Conference is located in England
Locations of the Football Conference 1996–1997 teams
1996–97 Football Conference is located in Greater London
Locations of the Football Conference teams 1996–1997

Promotion and relegation

Promoted

Relegated

Top scorers in order of league goals

RankPlayerClubLeagueFA CupFA TrophyLeague CupTotal
1Lee HughesKidderminster Harriers3012134
2Lennie DennisWelling United2111225
3Andy WhittakerSouthport1962027
4Gary AbbottSlough Town1800018
5Justin JacksonWoking1742023
6Barry HaylesStevenage Borough1632021
=David LeworthyRushden & Diamonds1640020
=Lee SteeleNorthwich Victoria1600016
9Joe O'ConnorHednesford1590024
=Paul ThompsonGateshead1561123
=Clive WalkerWoking1531019
=Steve WoodMacclesfield Town1500116
13Mike DavisBath City1470021
=Neil DohertyKidderminster Harriers1411016
=Niell HardyAltrincham1431018
=Mickey NorburyHalifax Town1400014
17Carl AlfordRushden & Diamonds1320015
=Ian ArnoldStalybridge Celtic1300013
=Chris BootheFarnborough Town1390325
=Martin RandallHayes1304017
=Phil WingfieldFarnborough Town1321016

External links