1996–97 Irish League
| Season | 1996–1997 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Crusaders 4th Irish title |
| Matches played | 112 |
| Goals scored | 274 (2.45 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Gary Haylock (16) |
← 1995-96 1997–98 → | |
| Champions | Ballymena United |
|---|---|
| Promoted | Ballymena United Omagh Town |
| Matches played | 112 |
| Goals scored | 298 (2.66 per match) |
Location of teams in the 1996–97 Irish League Premier Division
Location of the Belfast-based teams in the Irish League Premier Division 1996-97
The Irish League in season 1996–97 comprised 8 teams, and Crusaders won the championship.
Location of teams in the 1996–97 Irish League First Division
League standings
Premier Division
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts | Qualification or Relegation | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crusaders (C) | 28 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 39 | 26 | 1.500 | 46 | Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round | ||
| 2 | Coleraine | 28 | 10 | 13 | 5 | 37 | 31 | 1.194 | 43 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first qualifying round | ||
| 3 | Glentoran | 28 | 10 | 11 | 7 | 36 | 30 | 1.200 | 41 | |||
| 4 | Portadown | 28 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 32 | 1.125 | 38 | |||
| 5 | Linfield | 28 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 35 | 33 | 1.061 | 38 | |||
| 6 | Glenavon | 28 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 35 | 34 | 1.029 | 35 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup qualifying round | ||
| 7 | Cliftonville | 28 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 23 | 38 | 0.605 | 30 | |||
| 8 | Ards | 28 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 33 | 50 | 0.660 | 25 |
|
First Division
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts | Promotion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ballymena United (C, P) | 28 | 21 | 2 | 5 | 49 | 17 | 2.882 | 65 | Promotion to the Premier Division |
| 2 | Omagh Town (P) | 28 | 15 | 5 | 8 | 40 | 39 | 1.026 | 50 | |
| 3 | Bangor | 28 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 42 | 29 | 1.448 | 49 | Qualification for the promotion/relegation play-off |
| 4 | Ballyclare Comrades | 28 | 11 | 4 | 13 | 44 | 42 | 1.048 | 37 | |
| 5 | Newry Town | 28 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 32 | 35 | 0.914 | 35 | |
| 6 | Distillery | 28 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 31 | 37 | 0.838 | 34 | |
| 7 | Larne | 28 | 9 | 5 | 14 | 34 | 48 | 0.708 | 32 | |
| 8 | Carrick Rangers | 28 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 26 | 51 | 0.510 | 18 |
