Third Division 1996/97

Now the League Two.

Wigan won the 1996/97 Third Division with 87 points, level on points with Fulham. Wigan, Fulham, Carlisle and Northampton were promoted. 2.51 goals per game over 552 matches; home sides won 46% and 27% were drawn.

Final table

		P		D	L					Outcome
1	Wigan · Champions	46	26	9	11	84	51	+33	87	Champions
2	Fulham · Promoted	46	25	12	9	72	38	+34	87	Promoted
3	Carlisle · Promoted	46	24	12	10	67	44	+23	84	Promoted
4	Northampton · Promoted	46	20	12	14	67	44	+23	72	Promoted
5	Swansea	46	21	8	17	62	58	+4	71
6	Chester City	46	18	16	12	55	43	+12	70
7	Cardiff	46	20	9	17	56	54	+2	69
8	Colchester	46	17	17	12	62	51	+11	68
9	Lincoln	46	18	12	16	70	69	+1	66
10	Cambridge	46	18	11	17	53	59	-6	65
11	Mansfield	46	16	16	14	47	45	+2	64
12	Scarborough	46	16	15	15	65	68	-3	63
13	Scunthorpe	46	18	9	19	59	62	-3	63
14	Rochdale	46	14	16	16	58	58	0	58
15	Barnet	46	14	16	16	46	51	-5	58
16	Leyton Orient	46	15	12	19	50	58	-8	57
17	Hull	46	13	18	15	44	50	-6	57
18	Darlington	46	14	10	22	64	78	-14	52
19	Doncaster	46	14	10	22	52	66	-14	52
20	Hartlepool	46	14	9	23	53	66	-13	51
21	Torquay	46	13	11	22	46	62	-16	50
22	Exeter	46	12	12	22	48	73	-25	48
23	Brighton	46	13	10	23	53	70	-17	47
24	Hereford United	46	11	14	21	50	65	-15	47

Watch the season unfold Where teams in each position finished

Where this season ranks

2.51 goals per game: 12th lowest of 33 complete League Two seasons on file.
Champions’ 87 points: 14th highest of 30 seasons with 24 clubs.

Season in numbers

Measure	1996/97	League average
Goals per game	2.51	2.56
Home wins	46%	43%
Draws	27%	27%
Away wins	27%	29%
Goalless draws	8%	8%
Home advantageHome minus away points per game	0.59 pts/game	0.41 pts/game
Champions’ points	87	89
Most points relegated	–	42
Fewest points safe	47	45

League average: every complete League Two season on file except this one; points thresholds only from seasons with 24 clubs.