1996–97 Middlesbrough F.C. season

During the 1996–97 English football season, Middlesbrough competed in the Premier League (known as the FA Carling Premiership for sponsorship reasons). Despite reaching the finals of both domestic cup competitions, Middlesbrough were relegated from the Premier League in 19th place (although this came after a 3-point deduction for postponing a fixture against Blackburn Rovers) on 21st December 1996.

Middlesbrough
1996–97 season
ChairmanSteve Gibson
ManagerBryan Robson
StadiumRiverside Stadium
Premier League19th (relegated)
FA CupRunners-up
League CupRunners-up
Top goalscorerLeague: Ravanelli (16)
All: Ravanelli (31)
Highest home attendance30,215 (vs. Tottenham Hotspur, 19 October)
Lowest home attendance17,136 (vs. Hereford United, 18 September)
Average home league attendance28,724

Season summary

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The multi-million pound signings of Brazilian midfielder Emerson and Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli suggested that Middlesbrough could compete with the very best after finishing 12th the previous season, but ahead lay quite a unique season which ultimately ended in disappointment; though, on the goalscoring front, Middlesbrough's games were undeniably entertaining to watch, as in total, 111 goals were witnessed, the fourth highest total of goals for and against within Premier League clubs' matches. The season though started brightly with a thrilling 3–3 draw against Liverpool with Ravanelli scoring a hat-trick on his debut. The next two home games were impressively won: 4–1 against West Ham United and 4–0 against Coventry City (with Ravanelli and Juninho scoring two goals each in that match). Their season's first away win at Everton saw them rise as high as fourth in the table; however, beginning from their 2–0 home defeat to title challengers Arsenal, they were not to win another match in 12 attempts until Boxing Day, winning the return fixture against the Toffees 4–2.

By Christmas, Middlesbrough were deep in relegation trouble, despite Ravanelli proving himself as one of the league's top goalscorers. Added to this, Middlesbrough were faced with the wrath of the Football Association for postponing a fixture against Blackburn Rovers at short notice. The club's officials insisted that manager Bryan Robson had been unable to field a team due to a severe injury and illness crisis among his players, but this did not prevent the Football Association from docking the club 3 points.

Middlesbrough managed to put together a good run of results and look like decent bets for survival, but the Football Association's refusal to restore Middlesbrough's 3 points counted against them and a 1–1 draw at Leeds United on the final day of the season, when they needed a win, resulted in relegation that would have been avoided (at the expense of Coventry City) if the points had not been deducted.

Middlesbrough also hit the headlines with two brilliant cup runs. As a club who had never won a major trophy or even reached a domestic cup final before, history was made in February when Middlesbrough reached the League Cup final. They drew 1–1 with Leicester City at Wembley in the first match, but lost the replay 1–0 at Hillsborough. Two months later, they took on Chelsea in the FA Cup final, but lost 2–0. Therefore, they became the first team to finish in the last two of both major cup competitions whilst also being relegated - surpassing Crystal Palace's distinction (attained in 1995) of finishing in the last four of both major cup competitions while being relegated in the league.

Final league table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
16 Southampton 38 10 11 17 50 56 −6 41
17 Coventry City 38 9 14 15 38 54 −16 41
18 Sunderland (R) 38 10 10 18 35 53 −18 40 Relegation to the Football League First Division
19 Middlesbrough (R) 38 10 12 16 51 60 −9 39[a]
20 Nottingham Forest (R) 38 6 16 16 31 59 −28 34
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Middlesbrough were docked three points for failing to fulfill their original fixture at Blackburn Rovers on 21 December 1996.
Results summary
Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
38 10 12 16 51 60  −9 393 8 5 6 34 25  +9 2 7 10 17 35  −18

Source: Statto

Results by round
Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
GroundHAAHHAHAAHHAAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHHHAHAHAAA
ResultDLDWWWLLDLDLLDLLDLWLLLWDLLWWWWDDLLWDDD
Position714149748981112151515161616161717182020202020202019171718191919191819
Source: Statto.com
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

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Middlesbrough's score comes first[1]

Legend

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Win Draw Loss

FA Premier League

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Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Scorers
17 August 1996 Liverpool H 3–3 30,039 Ravanelli (3, 1 pen)
21 August 1996 Chelsea A 0–1 28,272
24 August 1996 Nottingham Forest A 1–1 24,705 Juninho
4 September 1996 West Ham United H 4–1 30,060 Emerson, Mustoe, Ravanelli, Stamp
7 September 1996 Coventry City H 4–0 29,811 Ravanelli (2), Juninho (2)
14 September 1996 Everton A 2–1 39,250 Barmby, Juninho
21 September 1996 Arsenal H 0–2 29,629
28 September 1996 Southampton A 0–4 15,230
14 October 1996 Sunderland A 2–2 20,936 Emerson, Ravanelli
19 October 1996 Tottenham Hotspur H 0–3 30,215
26 October 1996 Wimbledon H 0–0 29,758
3 November 1996 Newcastle United A 1–3 36,577 Beck
17 November 1996 Derby County A 1–2 17,350 Ravanelli
23 November 1996 Manchester United H 2–2 30,063 Ravanelli, Hignett (pen)
30 November 1996 Aston Villa A 0–1 39,053
3 December 1996 Leicester City H 0–2 29,709
7 December 1996 Leeds United H 0–0 30,018
14 December 1996 Liverpool A 1–5 39,491 Fjørtoft
26 December 1996 Everton H 4–2 29,673 Hignett, Blackmore, Juninho (2)
28 December 1996 Coventry City A 0–3 20,617
1 January 1997 Arsenal A 0–2 37,573
11 January 1997 Southampton H 0–1 29,509
18 January 1997 Sheffield Wednesday H 4–2 29,485 Ravanelli (pen), Festa, Emerson (pen), Juninho
1 February 1997 Wimbledon A 1–1 15,046 Mustoe
22 February 1997 Newcastle United H 0–1 30,063
1 March 1997 Sheffield Wednesday A 1–3 28,206 Mustoe
5 March 1997 Derby County H 6–1 29,739 Kinder, Ravanelli (3), Hignett, Beck
15 March 1997 Leicester City A 3–1 20,561 Blackmore, Juninho, Beck
19 March 1997 Blackburn Rovers H 2–1 29,891 Juninho, Ravanelli
22 March 1997 Chelsea H 1–0 29,811 Juninho
24 March 1997 Nottingham Forest H 1–1 29,888 Beck
9 April 1997 West Ham United A 0–0 23,988
19 April 1997 Sunderland H 0–1 30,106
24 April 1997 Tottenham Hotspur A 0–1 29,947
3 May 1997 Aston Villa H 3–2 30,074 Ravanelli (2, 1 pen), Beck
5 May 1997 Manchester United A 3–3 54,489 Juninho, Emerson, Hignett
8 May 1997 Blackburn Rovers A 0–0 27,411
11 May 1997 Leeds United A 1–1 38,567 Juninho

FA Cup

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Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R3 4 January 1997 Chester City H 6–0 18,684 Ravanelli (2), Hignett, Cox, Beck, Stamp
R4 25 January 1997 Hednesford Town A 3–2 27,511 Lambert (own goal), Fjørtoft, Ravanelli
R5 15 February 1997 Manchester City A 1–0 30,462 Juninho
QF 8 March 1997 Derby County A 2–0 17,567 Juninho, Ravanelli
SF 13 April 1997 Chesterfield N 3–3 49,640 Ravanelli, Hignett (pen), Festa
SFR 22 April 1997 Chesterfield N 3–0 30,339 Beck, Ravanelli, Emerson
F 17 May 1997 Chelsea N 0–2 79,160

League Cup

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Round Date Opponent Venue Result Attendance Goalscorers
R2 1st Leg 18 September 1996 Hereford United H 7–0 17,136 Ravanelli (4, 1 pen), Emerson, Branco, Fleming
R2 2nd Leg 24 September 1996 Hereford United A 3–0 (won 10–0 on agg) 4,522 Beck, Stamp, Branco
R3 23 October 1996 Huddersfield Town H 5–1 26,615 Juninho, Emerson, Ravanelli (2), Beck
R4 27 November 1996 Newcastle United H 3–1 29,831 Whyte, Beck, Ravanelli
QF 8 January 1997 Liverpool H 2–1 28,670 Hignett, Vickers
SF 1st Leg 26 February 1997 Stockport County A 2–0 11,778 Beck, Ravanelli
SF 2nd Leg 12 March 1997 Stockport County H 0–1 (won 2–1 on agg) 29,633
F 6 April 1997 Leicester City N 1–1 (a.e.t.) 76,757 Ravanelli
FR 16 April 1997 Leicester City N 0–1 (a.e.t.) 39,428

First-team squad

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Squad at end of season[2]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF   ENG Neil Cox
3 DF   SCO Derek Whyte
4 DF   ENG Steve Vickers
5 DF   ENG Nigel Pearson (captain)
6 MF   BRA Emerson
7 DF   SVK Vladimír Kinder
8 MF   ENG Robbie Mustoe
9 FW   DEN Mikkel Beck
10 MF   BRA Juninho
11 FW   ITA Fabrizio Ravanelli
12 MF   IRL Alan Moore
13 GK   ENG Gary Walsh
14 DF   IRL Curtis Fleming[3]
15 DF   ENG Phil Whelan
16 MF   ENG Bryan Robson (player-manager)
17 DF   WAL Clayton Blackmore
No. Pos. Nation Player
18 DF   ITA Gianluca Festa
19 GK   AUS Mark Schwarzer
20 MF   ENG Phil Stamp
21 MF   ENG Craig Hignett
22 DF   ENG Craig Liddle
24 FW   ENG Chris Freestone
25 GK   ENG Ben Roberts
26 DF   IRL Chris Morris[4]
27 DF   ENG Michael Barron
28 DF   ENG Viv Anderson
30 DF   BRA Branco
31 DF   ENG Alan White
32 FW   ENG Andy Campbell
33 MF   ENG Mark Summerbell
34 MF   IRL Keith O'Halloran
35 MF   ENG Anthony Ormerod

Left club during season

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   ENG Alan Miller (to West Bromwich Albion)
7 MF   ENG Nick Barmby (to Everton)
18 MF   IRL Graham Kavanagh (to Stoke City)
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW   SCO John Hendrie (to Barnsley)
23 FW   NOR Jan-Åge Fjørtoft (to Sheffield United)
29 MF   ENG Jamie Pollock (to Bolton Wanderers)

Reserve squad

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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   IRL Jason Gavin
- DF   ENG Craig Harrison
No. Pos. Nation Player
- MF   IRL Micky Cummins
- MF   ENG Andrew Swalwell

Appearances and goals

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No. Pos Nat Player Total Premier League FA Cup League Cup
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
13 GK   ENG Gary Walsh 16 0 12 0 1 0 3 0
19 GK   AUS Mark Schwarzer 10 0 7 0 0 0 3 0
25 GK   ENG Ben Roberts 18 0 9+1 0 6 0 1+1 0
Defenders
2 DF   ENG Neil Cox 41 1 29+2 0 3 1 7 0
3 DF   SCO Derek Whyte 29 1 20+1 0 3+1 0 3+1 1
4 DF   ENG Steve Vickers 41 1 26+3 0 5+1 0 5+1 1
5 DF   ENG Nigel Pearson 26 0 17+1 0 3 0 5 0
7 DF   SVK Vladimír Kinder 10 1 4+2 1 2+1 0 1 0
14 DF   IRL Curtis Fleming 42 1 30 0 4+1 0 7 1
15 DF   ENG Phil Whelan 11 0 9 0 0 0 2 0
17 DF   WAL Clayton Blackmore 24 2 14+2 2 4+1 0 2+1 0
18 DF   ITA Gianluca Festa 22 2 13 1 5 1 4 0
22 DF   ENG Craig Liddle 6 0 5 0 1 0 0 0
26 DF   IRL Chris Morris 6 0 3+1 0 0 0 2 0
30 DF   BRA Branco 4 2 1+1 0 0 0 2 2
Midfielders
6 MF   BRA Emerson 45 7 32 4 5 1 8 2
8 MF   ENG Robbie Mustoe 46 3 31 3 7 0 8 0
10 MF   BRA Juninho 48 15 34+1 12 6 2 7 1
12 MF   IRL Alan Moore 23 0 10+7 0 1+1 0 1+3 0
16 MF   ENG Bryan Robson 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
20 MF   ENG Phil Stamp 34 3 15+9 1 3+1 1 4+2 1
21 MF   ENG Craig Hignett 34 7 19+3 4 6 2 6 1
33 MF   ENG Mark Summerbell 2 0 0+2 0 0 0 0 0
Forwards
9 FW   DEN Mikkel Beck 38 11 22+3 5 5+1 2 6+1 4
11 FW   ITA Fabrizio Ravanelli 48 31 33 16 7 6 8 9
24 FW   ENG Chris Freestone 3 0 0+3 0 0 0 0 0
32 FW   ENG Andy Campbell 3 0 0+3 0 0 0 0 0
Players transferred out during the season
1 GK   ENG Alan Miller 12 0 10 0 0 0 2 0
7 MF   ENG Nick Barmby 10 1 10 1 0 0 0 0
19 FW   SCO John Hendrie 2 0 0 0 0 0 1+1 0
23 FW   NOR Jan-Åge Fjørtoft 8 2 2+3 1 0+2 1 1 0

Last updated: 30 May 1997
Source: [5]

References

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  1. ^ "Middlesbrough 1996-1997 Home - statto.com". Archived from the original on 7 March 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  2. ^ "FootballSquads - Middlesbrough - 1996/97". www.footballsquads.co.uk.
  3. ^ Fleming was born in Manchester, England, but was raised in Dublin, the Republic of Ireland.
  4. ^ Morris was born in Newquay, England, but also qualified to represent the Republic of Ireland internationally through his mother.
  5. ^ "All Middlesbrough players: 1997". www.11v11.com.