In the 1996–97 season, Bournemouth had another satisfying campaign, this time finishing in 16th place. Their financial problems off the pitch continued with Ken Gardiner resigning as chairman in December and Brian Willis took over as acting chairman until the summer. In January 1997, Bournemouth were £4.4m in debt and started a petition to raise £300,000 to see the whole season through. Bournemouth also owe £2.1m to Lloyds Bank and another £450,000 was also owed in VAT and PAYE that wasn't paid. As a result of this, 12 members of coaching staff were sacked which also included their assistant manager John Williams .[ 1]
Source:
[ 2] Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
Bournemouth's score comes first [ 3]
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Scorers
17 August 1996
Watford
H
1–2
7,672
Brissett
24 August 1996
York City
A
2–1
2,804
Brissett , Fletcher
27 August 1996
Stockport County
A
1–0
3,446
Brissett
31 August 1996
Peterborough United
H
1–2
4,587
Fletcher
7 September 1996
Crewe Alexandra
H
0–1
3,218
10 September 1996
Bristol Rovers
A
2–3
4,170
Fletcher , Murray
14 September 1996
Preston North End
A
1–0
8,268
Fletcher
21 September 1996
Notts County
H
0–1
3,402
28 September 1996
Rotherham United
A
0–1
2,648
1 October 1996
Walsall
H
0–1
2,747
5 October 1996
Gillingham
A
1–1
6,162
Holland
12 October 1996
Wycombe Wanderers
H
2–1
3,984
Holland , Watson
15 October 1996
Plymouth Argyle
H
1–0
3,818
Fletcher
19 October 1996
Wrexham
A
0–2
3,945
26 October 1996
Luton Town
A
0–2
5,635
29 October 1996
Bristol City
H
0–2
4,197
2 November 1996
Bury
H
1–1
3,946
Holland
9 November 1996
Blackpool
A
1–1
3,744
Cox
19 November 1996
Brentford
H
2–1
3,464
Robinson (2, 1 pen)
23 November 1996
Burnley
A
0–1
8,564
30 November 1996
Luton Town
H
3–2
4,322
Robinson (2), Cox
3 December 1996
Shrewsbury Town
A
1–1
1,610
Holland
14 December 1996
Millwall
H
1–1
4,494
Holland
21 December 1996
Chesterfield
A
1–1
4,174
Cox
26 December 1996
Bristol Rovers
H
1–0
5,036
Watson
28 December 1996
Crewe Alexandra
A
0–2
3,687
11 January 1997
Rotherham United
H
1–1
3,161
Cox
18 January 1997
Walsall
A
1–2
3,037
Fletcher
25 January 1997
Bristol City
A
1–0
10,434
Cox
1 February 1997
Blackpool
H
0–0
8,201
4 February 1997
Notts County
A
2–0
2,757
Cox , Town
8 February 1997
Bury
A
1–2
3,559
Robinson (pen)
11 February 1997
Preston North End
H
2–0
4,769
Brissett , Cox
15 February 1997
Burnley
H
0–0
6,021
22 February 1997
Brentford
A
0–1
6,071
1 March 1997
Shrewsbury Town
H
0–0
5,810
11 March 1997
Chesterfield
H
3–0
3,368
Fletcher , Robinson , Rawlinson
15 March 1997
Millwall
A
1–0
8,992
Bailey
22 March 1997
York City
H
1–1
4,367
Town
29 March 1997
Watford
A
1–0
10,019
Cox
1 April 1997
Stockport County
H
0–0
5,476
5 April 1997
Peterborough United
A
1–3
4,221
Rawlinson
12 April 1997
Gillingham
H
2–2
5,008
Murray , Robinson
19 April 1997
Wycombe Wanderers
A
1–1
6,043
Holland
26 April 1997
Wrexham
H
2–1
4,805
O'Neill , Holland
3 May 1997
Plymouth Argyle
A
0–0
6,507
Round
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Goalscorers
R1
16 November 1996
Brentford
A
0–2
4,509
Round
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Goalscorers
R1 1st Leg
20 August 1996
Ipswich Town
A
1–2
6,163
Fletcher
R1 2nd Leg
3 September 1996
Ipswich Town
H
0–3 (lost 1–5 on agg)
4,119
Round
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Goalscorers
SR1
10 December 1996
Plymouth Argyle
A
0–2
944
[ 4]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.