1996–97 Courage League National Division Three


The 1996–97 Courage League National Division Three was the tenth full season of rugby union within the third tier of the English league system, currently known as National League 1. Exeter won a title for the second season in succession, following last seasons National League 4 title. The runner-up, Fylde, finished one point behind Exeter and were also promoted. Four teams were relegated; Walsall to National 2 North and Havant, Redruth and Clifton to National 2 South.

Structure

The league consists of sixteen teams, playing each other on a home and away basis to make a total of thirty matches for each team. There are two promotion places and four relegation places, with the champions and runner-up promoted to National League 2 and the last four teams relegated to either National Division 4 North or South, depending on their location.

Participating teams and locations

National Division Three was increased from ten teams to sixteen with six of the clubs participating in last seasons competition. To make up the numbers the top eight teams in National Division Four were all promoted; Lydney and Wharfedale, as champions of National League 5 South and National League 5 North respectively were also promoted, from the fifth to the third tier.
TeamGroundCapacityCity/AreaPrevious season
CliftonStation Road2,500Cribbs Causeway, Henbury, BristolPromoted from Division 4
ExeterCounty Ground5,200Exeter, DevonPromoted from Division 4
FyldeWoodlands9,000Lytham St Annes, Lancashire10th
HarrogateClaro RoadHarrogate, North Yorkshire6th
HavantHook's Lane1,500Havant, HampshirePromoted from Division 4
LeedsHeadingley Stadium22,250Headingley, Leeds, West YorkshirePromoted from Division 4
Liverpool St HelensMoss LaneSt Helens, MerseysidePromoted from Division 4
London WelshOld Deer Park5,850Richmond, LondonPromoted from Division 4
LydneyRegentsholm1,500Lydney, GloucestershirePromoted from National League 5 South
MorleyScatcherd LaneMorley, Leeds, West Yorkshire5th
OtleyCross Green5,000Otley, West Yorkshire8th
ReadingHolme ParkReading, BerkshirePromoted from Division 4
RedruthRecreation Ground12,000Redruth, CornwallPromoted from Division 4
Rosslyn ParkThe Rock2,000Roehampton, London9th
WalsallBroadway Ground1,150Walsall, West MidlandsPromoted from Division 4
WharfedaleThe Avenue2,000Threshfield, North YorkshirePromoted from National League 5 North

League table

Sponsorship

National Division Three is part of the Courage Clubs Championship and is sponsored by Courage Brewery. This was their tenth and final season of sponsorship.