 |
| Season | 1996–97 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Arsenal 3rd title |
| Relegated | Southampton Saints Ilkeston Town |
| Matches played | 90 |
| Goals scored | 318 (3.53 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Joanne Broadhurst (21) |
← 1995-96 1997-98 → | |
The 1996-97 season of the FA Women's Premier League was the 6th season of the former top flight of English women's association football. nb table does not balance - it is five goals adrift (total goals scored 318-313 and goal difference confirms as five out)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal (C) | 18 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 65 | 9 | +56 | 49 | Champions |
| 2 | Doncaster Belles | 18 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 44 | 15 | +29 | 41 | |
| 3 | Croydon | 18 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 39 | 26 | +13 | 31 | |
| 4 | Liverpool | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 16 | +14 | 30 | |
| 5 | Millwall Lionesses | 18 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 20 | 19 | +1 | 27 | |
| 6 | Everton | 18 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 27 | |
| 7 | Wembley | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 26 | 27 | −1 | 22 | |
| 8 | Tranmere Rovers | 18 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 23 | 48 | −25 | 12 | |
| 9 | Southampton Saints | 18 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 16 | 61 | −45 | 9 | Relegated to Southern Division |
| 10 | Ilkeston Town | 18 | 1 | 4 | 13 | 14 | 56 | −42 | 7 | Relegated to Northern Division |
| Rank | Scorer | Club | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joanne Broadhurst | Arsenal | 21 |
| 2 | Karen Walker | Doncaster Belles | 18 |
| 3 | Kerry Davis | Croydon | 13 |
| 4 | Louise Thomas | Everton | 12 |
| 5 | Vicky Exley | Doncaster Belles | 11 |
| Andrea McGrady | Everton | 11 | |
| Kelly Smith | Arsenal | 11 | |
| 6 | Hope Powell | Croydon | 10 |
| Marieanne Spacey | Arsenal | 10 | |
| 7 | Sue Smith | Tranmere Rovers | 9 |
| 8 | Karen Burke | Liverpool | 8 |
| Shirley Oakford | Liverpool | 8 | |
| 9 | Kara Reynolds | Arsenal | 7 |
| Rachel Yankey | Arsenal | 7 |