1996–97 Tranmere Rovers F.C. season
      
During the 1996–97 English football season, Tranmere Rovers F.C. competed in the Football League First Division.
Season summary
Another decent season for Tranmere in player-manager John Aldridge's first full season in charge resulted in another mid-table finish, this time finishing two places higher than last season, in 11th.
Final league table
-  Pld = Matches ; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
-  NB: In the Football League goals scored (F) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
Results
Tranmere Rovers' score comes first[1]
Legend
Football League First Division
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers | 
|---|
| 17 August 1996 | Southend United | A | 1–1 | 4,264 | Morrissey | 
| 23 August 1996 | Grimsby Town | H | 3–2 | 6,800 | Aldridge (2, 1 pen), Irons | 
| 27 August 1996 | Port Vale | H | 2–0 | 6,123 | Mahon, Branch | 
| 31 August 1996 | Bradford City | A | 0–1 | 10,080 |  | 
| 7 September 1996 | Birmingham City | H | 1–0 | 8,548 | Aldridge | 
| 10 September 1996 | Huddersfield Town | A | 1–0 | 10,181 | Aldridge | 
| 14 September 1996 | Swindon Town | A | 1–2 | 8,430 | Aldridge | 
| 21 September 1996 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 2–3 | 7,848 | Aldridge, Branch | 
| 28 September 1996 | Norwich City | A | 1–1 | 14,511 | Aldridge | 
| 1 October 1996 | Oxford United | H | 0–0 | 4,577 |  | 
| 4 October 1996 | Portsmouth | H | 4–3 | 5,001 | Branch (2), G Jones, Bonetti | 
| 12 October 1996 | Sheffield United | A | 0–0 | 15,059 |  | 
| 15 October 1996 | Bolton Wanderers | A | 0–1 | 14,136 |  | 
| 20 October 1996 | Queens Park Rangers | H | 2–3 | 7,025 | Aldridge (pen), Brannan | 
| 26 October 1996 | Ipswich Town | A | 2–0 | 11,003 | Brannan, Vaughan (own goal) | 
| 29 October 1996 | Charlton Athletic | H | 4–0 | 5,527 | Thomas-Moore, G Jones, Mahon, Aldridge | 
| 2 November 1996 | Crystal Palace | H | 1–3 | 8,613 | Thorn | 
| 15 November 1996 | Oldham Athletic | H | 1–1 | 8,327 | Aldridge | 
| 23 November 1996 | Manchester City | A | 2–1 | 26,531 | Higgins, Brightwell (own goal) | 
| 30 November 1996 | Ipswich Town | H | 3–0 | 10,127 | Brannan, Aldridge (2) | 
| 3 December 1996 | Reading | A | 0–2 | 5,513 |  | 
| 7 December 1996 | Stoke City | A | 0–2 | 9,931 |  | 
| 14 December 1996 | Barnsley | A | 0–3 | 8,513 |  | 
| 21 December 1996 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | H | 0–2 | 9,674 |  | 
| 26 December 1996 | Huddersfield Town | H | 1–1 | 10,134 | Brannan | 
| 1 January 1997 | West Bromwich Albion | A | 2–1 | 14,770 | Aldridge (2) | 
| 10 January 1997 | Swindon Town | H | 2–1 | 8,763 | Nevin (2) | 
| 18 January 1997 | Oxford United | A | 1–2 | 7,072 | Aldridge | 
| 28 January 1997 | Norwich City | H | 3–1 | 5,891 | Cook (2), Thomas-Moore | 
| 1 February 1997 | Reading | H | 2–2 | 6,019 | Branch, Thomas-Moore | 
| 7 February 1997 | Charlton Athletic | A | 1–3 | 11,283 | Irons | 
| 22 February 1997 | Crystal Palace | A | 1–0 | 15,396 | O'Brien | 
| 28 February 1997 | Stoke City | H | 0–0 | 9,127 |  | 
| 4 March 1997 | Oldham Athletic | A | 2–1 | 5,417 | Brannan (2) | 
| 8 March 1997 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 2–3 | 26,192 | Irons, Aldridge | 
| 15 March 1997 | Barnsley | H | 1–1 | 7,347 | Higgins | 
| 18 March 1997 | Manchester City | H | 1–1 | 12,019 | G Jones | 
| 22 March 1997 | Grimsby Town | A | 0–0 | 4,353 |  | 
| 28 March 1997 | Southend United | H | 3–0 | 7,563 | Irons, L Jones, Aldridge | 
| 31 March 1997 | Port Vale | A | 1–2 | 7,469 | Irons | 
| 4 April 1997 | Bradford City | H | 3–0 | 8,531 | G Jones (2), L Jones | 
| 12 April 1997 | Portsmouth | A | 3–1 | 12,004 | Cook, G Jones, L Jones | 
| 15 April 1997 | Birmingham City | A | 0–0 | 22,364 |  | 
| 19 April 1997 | Sheffield United | H | 1–1 | 10,027 | L Jones | 
| 26 April 1997 | Queens Park Rangers | A | 0–2 | 14,859 |  | 
| 4 May 1997 | Bolton Wanderers | H | 2–2 | 14,309 | Aldridge (pen), L Jones | 
FA Cup
Main article: 
1996-97 FA Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers | 
|---|
| R3 | 14 January 1997 | Carlisle United | A | 0–1 | 10,090 |  | 
League Cup
Squad
[2]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
References
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