# 1996–97 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season

During the 1996–97 season, Tottenham Hotspur participated in the FA Premier League.

## Season summary

For two seasons running, Tottenham narrowly missed out on a UEFA Cup place. 1996–97 could have been the season when Gerry Francis finally got it right and secured either a top-five finish or victory in one of the cups, but early exits from the FA Cup and Coca-Cola Cup ended their chances of a Wembley final, and a 10th-place finish in the final table was the club's lowest since Francis took over in November 1994. This disappointment saw the manager's future thrown into serious doubt, with fans calling for him to be dismissed.

## Final league table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 8 | Wimbledon | 38 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 49 | 46 | +3 | 56 | |
| 9 | Leicester City | 38 | 12 | 11 | 15 | 46 | 54 | −8 | 47 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 10 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 13 | 7 | 18 | 44 | 51 | −7 | 46 | |
| 11 | Leeds United | 38 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 28 | 38 | −10 | 46 | |
| 12 | Derby County | 38 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 45 | 58 | −13 | 46 | |
* ↑ Leicester City qualified for the UEFA Cup as League Cup winners.

### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Source: Statto

### Results by matchday

| Match | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |
| Ground | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | A | A | H | A | H |
| Result | W | D | D | L | L | W | L | L | W | W | L | W | W | L | L | W | D | D | W | L | L | L | W | L | D | L | L | W | W | D | L | W | L | L | D | W | L | L |
| Position | 3 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 |

## Results

Tottenham Hotspur's score comes first

### Legend

| Win | Draw | Loss |

### FA Premier League

| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
| 17 August 1996 | Blackburn Rovers | A | 2–0 | 26,960 | Armstrong (2) |
| 21 August 1996 | Derby County | H | 1–1 | 28,219 | Sheringham |
| 24 August 1996 | Everton | H | 0–0 | 29,669 | |
| 4 September 1996 | Wimbledon | A | 0–1 | 17,306 | |
| 7 September 1996 | Newcastle United | H | 1–2 | 32,594 | Allen |
| 14 September 1996 | Southampton | A | 1–0 | 15,251 | Armstrong (pen) |
| 22 September 1996 | Leicester City | H | 1–2 | 24,159 | Wilson (pen) |
| 29 September 1996 | Manchester United | A | 0–2 | 54,943 | |
| 12 October 1996 | Aston Villa | H | 1–0 | 32,840 | Nielsen |
| 19 October 1996 | Middlesbrough | A | 3–0 | 30,215 | Sheringham (2), Fox |
| 26 October 1996 | Chelsea | A | 1–3 | 28,318 | Armstrong |
| 2 November 1996 | West Ham United | H | 1–0 | 32,975 | Armstrong |
| 16 November 1996 | Sunderland | H | 2–0 | 31,867 | Sinton, Sheringham |
| 24 November 1996 | Arsenal | A | 1–3 | 38,264 | Sinton |
| 2 December 1996 | Liverpool | H | 0–2 | 32,899 | |
| 7 December 1996 | Coventry City | A | 2–1 | 19,656 | Sheringham, Sinton |
| 14 December 1996 | Leeds United | A | 0–0 | 33,783 | |
| 21 December 1996 | Sheffield Wednesday | H | 1–1 | 30,996 | Nielsen |
| 26 December 1996 | Southampton | H | 3–1 | 30,549 | Iversen (2), Nielsen |
| 28 December 1996 | Newcastle United | A | 1–7 | 36,308 | Nielsen |
| 12 January 1997 | Manchester United | H | 1–2 | 33,026 | Allen |
| 19 January 1997 | Nottingham Forest | A | 1–2 | 27,303 | Sinton |
| 29 January 1997 | Blackburn Rovers | H | 2–1 | 22,943 | Iversen, Sinton |
| 1 February 1997 | Chelsea | H | 1–2 | 33,027 | Howells |
| 15 February 1997 | Arsenal | H | 0–0 | 33,039 | |
| 24 February 1997 | West Ham United | A | 3–4 | 23,998 | Sheringham, Anderton, Howells |
| 1 March 1997 | Nottingham Forest | H | 0–1 | 32,805 | |
| 4 March 1997 | Sunderland | A | 4–0 | 20,729 | Iversen (3), Nielsen |
| 15 March 1997 | Leeds United | H | 1–0 | 33,040 | Anderton |
| 19 March 1997 | Leicester City | A | 1–1 | 20,563 | Sheringham |
| 22 March 1997 | Derby County | A | 2–4 | 18,083 | Rosenthal, Dozzell |
| 5 April 1997 | Wimbledon | H | 1–0 | 32,654 | Dozzell |
| 9 April 1997 | Sheffield Wednesday | A | 1–2 | 22,671 | Nielsen |
| 12 April 1997 | Everton | A | 0–1 | 36,380 | |
| 19 April 1997 | Aston Villa | A | 1–1 | 39,339 | Vega |
| 24 April 1997 | Middlesbrough | H | 1–0 | 29,940 | Sinton |
| 3 May 1997 | Liverpool | A | 1–2 | 40,003 | Anderton |
| 11 May 1997 | Coventry City | H | 1–2 | 33,029 | McVeigh |

### FA Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
| R3 | 5 January 1997 | Manchester United | A | 0–2 | 52,495 | |

### League Cup

| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
| R2 1st Leg | 17 September 1996 | Preston North End | A | 1–1 | 16,258 | Anderton |
| R2 2nd Leg | 25 September 1996 | Preston North End | H | 3–0 (won 4–1 on agg) | 20,080 | Anderton, Allen (2) |
| R3 | 23 October 1996 | Sunderland | H | 2–1 | 24,867 | Armstrong, Campbell |
| R4 | 27 November 1996 | Bolton Wanderers | A | 1–6 | 18,621 | Sheringham |

## Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | ENG | Ian Walker |
| 2 | DF | ENG | Dean Austin |
| 3 | DF | ENG | Justin Edinburgh |
| 4 | MF | ENG | David Howells |
| 5 | DF | SCO | Colin Calderwood |
| 6 | DF | ENG | Gary Mabbutt (captain) |
| 7 | MF | MSR | Ruel Fox |
| 8 | MF | DEN | Allan Nielsen |
| 9 | MF | ENG | Darren Anderton |
| 10 | FW | ENG | Teddy Sheringham |
| 11 | FW | ENG | Chris Armstrong |
| 12 | MF | ENG | Jason Dozzell |
| 13 | GK | NOR | Espen Baardsen |
| 14 | MF | ENG | Stuart Nethercott |
| 15 | DF | ENG | Clive Wilson |
| 16 | FW | ISR | Ronny Rosenthal |
| 17 | DF | ENG | John Scales |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 18 | FW | NOR | Steffen Iversen |
| 19 | MF | NIR | Paul McVeigh |
| 20 | FW | IRL | Neale Fenn |
| 21 | MF | ENG | Danny Hill |
| 22 | DF | ENG | David Kerslake (on loan to Swindon Town) |
| 23 | DF | ENG | Sol Campbell |
| 24 | DF | SUI | Ramon Vega |
| 25 | DF | IRL | Stephen Carr |
| 26 | FW | ENG | Paul Mahorn |
| 27 | MF | ENG | Andy Sinton |
| 28 | DF | ENG | Jamie Clapham |
| 29 | FW | ENG | Rory Allen |
| 30 | MF | IRL | Simon Webb |
| 31 | GK | ENG | Simon Brown |
| 32 | MF | SCO | Garry Brady |
| 34 | DF | ENG | Mark Arber |

### Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 17 | MF | IRL | Andy Turner (to Portsmouth) |
| 18 | MF | NIR | Gerry McMahon (to Stoke City) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 19 | DF | ENG | Kevin Scott (to Norwich City) |
| 24 | DF | ENG | Jason Cundy (to Ipswich Town) |

### Reserve squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| - | MF | ENG | Stephen Clemence |
| - | MF | IRL | Peter Gain |
| - | MF | ENG | Mark Gower |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| - | MF | ENG | Simon Spencer |
| - | MF | ENG | Simon Wormull |

## Coaching staff

| Position | Staff |
| Manager | Gerry Francis |
| Assistant manager | Chris Hughton |
Source:

## Statistics
### Appearances and goals

| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | Premier League | Premier League | FA Cup | FA Cup | League Cup | League Cup |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||||||
| 1 | GK | ENG | Ian Walker | 42 | 0 | 37 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 13 | GK | NOR | Espen Baardsen | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defenders ||||||||||||
| 2 | DF | ENG | Dean Austin | 16 | 0 | 13+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG | Justin Edinburgh | 27 | 0 | 21+3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | SCO | Colin Calderwood | 39 | 0 | 33+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | ENG | Gary Mabbutt | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | ENG | Stuart Nethercott | 9 | 0 | 2+7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | ENG | Clive Wilson | 30 | 1 | 23+3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 17 | DF | ENG | John Scales | 12 | 0 | 10+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | ENG | Sol Campbell | 43 | 1 | 38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 24 | DF | SUI | Ramon Vega | 8 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | IRL | Stephen Carr | 30 | 0 | 24+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 28 | DF | ENG | Jamie Clapham | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Midfielders ||||||||||||
| 4 | MF | ENG | David Howells | 37 | 2 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | MSR | Ruel Fox | 29 | 1 | 19+6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | DEN | Allan Nielsen | 33 | 6 | 28+1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
| 9 | MF | ENG | Darren Anderton | 18 | 5 | 14+1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 12 | MF | ENG | Jason Dozzell | 18 | 2 | 10+7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 27 | MF | ENG | Andy Sinton | 36 | 6 | 32+1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Forwards ||||||||||||
| 10 | FW | ENG | Teddy Sheringham | 32 | 8 | 29 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 11 | FW | ENG | Chris Armstrong | 15 | 6 | 12 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 16 | FW | ISR | Ronny Rosenthal | 20 | 1 | 4+16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | FW | NOR | Steffen Iversen | 16 | 6 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | NIR | Paul McVeigh | 3 | 1 | 2+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | FW | IRL | Neale Fenn | 5 | 0 | 0+4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | FW | ENG | Rory Allen | 16 | 4 | 9+3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2+1 | 2 |
Last updated: 15 May 1999 Source: []

### Goal scorers

Last updated: 26 July 2020. Source: premierleague.com
The list is sorted by shirt number when total goals are equal.
| Rnk | Pos | No. | Player | Premier League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Total |
| 1 | FW | 10 | Teddy Sheringham | 7 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| 2 | MF | 8 | Allan Nielsen | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | FW | 11 | Chris Armstrong | 5 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | FW | 18 | Steffen Iversen | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2 | MF | 22 | Andy Sinton | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 | MF | 9 | Darren Anderton | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 7 | FW | 29 | Rory Allen | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 8 | MF | 4 | David Howells | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 8 | MF | 12 | Jason Dozzell | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | MF | 7 | Ruel Fox | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | DF | 15 | Clive Wilson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | FW | 16 | Ronny Rosenthal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | FW | 19 | Paul McVeigh | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 10 | DF | 23 | Sol Campbell | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 10 | DF | 24 | Ramon Vega | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | 44 | 0 | 7 | 51 |

### Clean sheets

Last updated: 26 July 2020. Source: premierleague.com
| Rnk | No. | Player | Premier League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Total |
| 1 | 1 | Ian Walker | 13 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| 2 | 13 | Espen Baardsen | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| TOTALS | TOTALS | TOTALS | 14 | 0 | 1 | 15 |