1996–97 West Ham United F.C. season


During the 1996–97 English football season, West Ham United competed in the FA Premier League.

Season summary

The season began with much excitement at Upton Park, as a whole host of foreign signings arrived. However, most of the acquisitions were short-lived and unsuccessful. Romanian striker Florin Răducioiu walked out in mid-season after scoring just two goals and Portuguese winger Paulo Futre played just nine games for the club before giving in to a knee injury and announcing his retirement in November.
It was a season of struggle for Harry Redknapp's team, but in the end a new wave of players helped to keep West Ham in the Premiership. Exciting young defender Rio Ferdinand broke into the side, while newly signed strikers Paul Kitson and John Hartson gave the attack the boost that Răducioiu and Futre had failed to deliver.
With survival confirmed by the final day of the season, there was now talk of pushing for a UEFA Cup place in the following campaign.

Final league table

;Results summary
;Results by round

Results

West Ham United's score comes first

Legend

FA Premier League

FA Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R34 January 1997WrexhamA1-19,747Porfírio
R3R25 January 1997WrexhamH0-116,763

League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
R2 1st Leg18 September 1996BarnetA1-13,849Cottee
R2 2nd Leg25 September 1996BarnetH1-015,264Bilić
R323 October 1996Nottingham ForestH4-119,402Dowie, Porfírio, Dicks
R427 November 1996Stockport CountyH1-120,061Răducioiu
R4R18 December 1996Stockport CountyA1-29,834Dicks

First-team squad

Left club during season

Statistics

Starting 11