1996–97 Swansea City A.F.C. season

During the 1996–97 English football season, Swansea City competed in the Football League Third Division, following relegation from the Second Division.

Swansea City

1996–97 season
Chairman	Doug Sharpe
Manager	Jan Mølby (player-manager)
Stadium	Vetch Field
Third Division	5th
Play-offs	Runners-up
FA Cup	First round
League Cup	First round
Football League Trophy	Second round
Top goalscorer	Penney (13)
Average home league attendance	3,850
Home colours

Season summary

In the 1996–97 season, Swansea reached the final of the 1997 Third Division play-offs for promotion, but lost to 1–0 to Northampton Town, whose goal came from a re-taken free kick by John Frain in the final minute.

Final league table

Main article: 1996–97 Football League

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
3	Carlisle United	46	24	12	10	67	44	+23	84	Promoted
4	Northampton Town	46	20	12	14	67	44	+23	72	Promoted through play-offs
5	Swansea City	46	21	8	17	62	58	+4	71	Participated in play-offs
6	Chester City	46	18	16	12	55	43	+12	70
7	Cardiff City	46	20	9	17	57	55	+2	69

Source:
Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).

Squad

Squad at end of 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
—	GK	WAL	Roger Freestone
—	GK	WAL	Lee Jones
—	DF	ENG	Mark Clode
—	DF	WAL	Christian Edwards
—	DF	WAL	Robert King
—	DF	IRL	Ryan Casey
—	DF	SCO	Keith Walker
—	DF	DEN	Thomas Willer-Jensen
—	DF	ANG	Joao Moreira
—	MF	ENG	Richard Appleby
—	MF	ENG	Steve Jones
—	MF	ENG	Dave Penney
—	MF	WAL	Shaun Chapple

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
—	MF	WAL	Jonathan Coates
—	MF	WAL	Lee Jenkins
—	MF	WAL	Damian Lacey
—	MF	WAL	Kristian O'Leary
—	MF	IRL	Kwame Ampadu
—	MF	DEN	Jan Mølby
—	FW	ENG	Linton Brown
—	FW	ENG	Carl Heggs
—	FW	ENG	Steve Torpey
—	FW	WAL	Jason Price
—	FW	WAL	Dai Thomas
—	FW	SCO	Colin McDonald

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
—	DF	ENG	Andy Cook (to Portsmouth)
—	DF	ENG	Shaun Garnett (to Oldham Athletic)
—	DF	ENG	John Hills (on loan from Everton)

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
—	DF	NIR	Pat McGibbon (on loan from Manchester United)
—	MF	ENG	John Hodge (to Walsall)
—	FW	ENG	Paul Brayson (on loan from Newcastle United)

Transfers