1896 Western University of Pennsylvania football team, Game summaries, at Wheeling Tigers
The WUP starting lineup for the game against Wheeling was Al Marshall (left end), Williams (left tackle), Gruff (left guard), Jesse Kaufman (center), Charles Burheim (right guard), Edgar Guilford (right tackle), Jay Henry (right end), William Shaler (quarterback), Donaldson (left halfback), Weakley (right halfback) and Kirkpatrick (fullback).


1896 Western University of Pennsylvania football team, Game summaries, at Grove City
On a muddy November 28, two days after the tough loss to Wheeling, the WUP eleven closed their season at Grove City, Pa with a game against Grove City College. Six minutes into the first half fullback Craig of Grove City scored a touchdown. Shannon kicked the goal after and the score remained 6-0 in favor of Grove City for the rest of the half. In the second stanza halfback Brandon was able to break loose on a thirty yard touchdown jaunt for Grove City. Shannon again was successful with the goal kick after. The WUP offense could not sustain a drive and time expired with Grove City again deep in WUP territory. The final score read 12-0 in favor of Grove City.


1896 Western University of Pennsylvania football team, Game summaries, at Grove City
The WUP lineup for the final game of the season was Al Marshall (left end), Williams (left tackle), Charles Burheim (left guard), Jesse Kaufman (center), McConkey (right guard), Edgar Guilford (right tackle), Jay Henry (right end), William Shaler (quarterback), John Kennihan (left halfback), Judd Bruff (right halfback) and Weakley (fullback).


1896 Western University of Pennsylvania football team, Roster
The roster of the 1896 Western University of Pennsylvania football team:


1896 William & Mary Orange and White football team
The 1896 William & Mary Orange and White football team represented the College of William & Mary during the 1896 college football season.


1896 Wimbledon Championships
The 1896 Wimbledon Championships took place on the outdoor grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London, United Kingdom. The tournament ran from 13 July until 21 July. It was the 20th staging of the Wimbledon Championships, and the first Grand Slam tennis event of 1896. The number of entries for the men's singles competition was 31, the highest since 1881. Harold Mahony and Charlotte Cooper won the singles titles. The All England Plate was introduced for players who had lost in the first or second round of the singles.


1896 Wimbledon Championships, Champions, Gentlemen's Singles
Harold Mahony defeated  Wilfred Baddeley, 6–2, 6–8, 5–7, 8–6, 6–3


1896 Wimbledon Championships, Champions, Gentlemen's Doubles
Herbert Baddeley /  Wilfred Baddeley defeated  Reginald Doherty /  Harold Nisbet, 1–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–2, 6–1


1896 Wimbledon Championships – Gentlemen's Doubles
Reginald Doherty and Harold Nisbet defeated Charles Allen and Roy Allen 3–6, 7–5, 6–4, 6–1 in the All Comers' Final, but the reigning champions Herbert Baddeley and Wilfred Baddeley defeated Doherty and Nisbet 1–6, 3–6, 6–4, 6–2, 6–1 in the Challenge Round to win the Gentlemen' Doubles tennis title at the 1896 Wimbledon Championships.


1896 Wimbledon Championships – Gentlemen's Singles
Harold Mahony defeated Wilberforce Eaves 6–2, 6–2, 11–9 in the All Comers Final, and then defeated the reigning champion Wilfred Baddeley 6–2, 6–8, 5–7, 8–6, 6–3 in the Challenge Round to win the Gentlemen's Singles tennis title at the 1896 Wimbledon Championships.


1896 Wimbledon Championships – Ladies' Singles
Alice Pickering defeated Edith Austin 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 in the All Comers' Final, but the reigning champion Charlotte Cooper defeated Simpson Pickering 6–2, 6–3 in the Challenge Round to win the Ladies' Singles tennis title at the 1896 Wimbledon Championships.


1896 Wisconsin Badgers football team
The 1896 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin in the 1896 Western Conference football season. In their first season under head coach Philip King, the Badgers compiled a 7–1–1 record (2–0–1 against Western Conference opponents), shut out six of nine opponents, outscored all opponents by a combined total of 206 to 30, and won the first Western Conference championship.


1896 Wisconsin Badgers football team
Wisconsin played three conference games: a victory over Chicago (24–0) on November 7; a victory over Minnesota (6–0) on November 21; and a tie with Northwestern (6–6) on November 26. Wisconsin's sole loss was to the Carlisle Indians (18–8) in a night game played indoors and under the lights at the Chicago Coliseum before a crowd of 16,000 persons. Wisconsin did not play another night game until 1953.


1896 Wisconsin Badgers football team
Four Wisconsin players were selected to the 1896 All-Western football team published in the Chicago Inter Ocean: end Chester Brown, tackle J. F. A. "Sunny" Pyre, guard John E. Ryan, and halfback John "Ikey" Karel. J. R. Richards was the team captain.


1896 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
The 1896 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1896.


1896 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
Republican nominee Edward Scofield defeated Democratic nominee Willis C. Silverthorn with 59.67% of the vote.


1896 Wisconsin gubernatorial election, Bibliography
This Wisconsin elections-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .


1896 World Allround Speed Skating Championships
The 1896 World Allround Speed Skating Championships took place at 7 and 8 February 1896 at the ice rink Joesoepovski Park in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Jaap Eden was the defending champion, he extended his title by winning all four distances.


1896 World Allround Speed Skating Championships, Rules
Four distances had to be skated: 500, 1500, 5000 and 10,000 m. One could earn the world title only by winning at least three of the four distances, otherwise the title would become vacant. Silver and bronze medals were not awarded.


1896 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. The first competition took place on February 9, 1896 in Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire.


1896 World Figure Skating Championships
In 1895, the International Skating Union organized the first World Figure Skating Championships committee, which consisted of 5 people. This committee was entrusted with preparation and presentation of the figure skating rules. ISU also confirmed that World Figure Skating Championships will be held and that in the meantime men skaters should comply with the rules not yet published.


1896 Wyoming Cowboys football team
The 1896 Wyoming Cowboys football team represented the University of Wyoming during the 1896 college football season. In its third season under head coach Justus F. Soule, a professor of Latin and Greek, the team compiled a perfect 2–0 record, consisting of victories over Colorado State Normal and Denver's Manual High School.


1896 Wyoming Cowboys football team
For the third consecutive year, Herbert J. Brees was the team captain. Brees was a native of Laramie who went on to a career in the United States Army. He retired from the Army in 1941 with the rank of lieutenant general.


1896 Wyoming Cowboys football team
In the program's first three years under coach Soule and captain Brees (1894-1896), the football team compiled a 6-0 record and outscored opponents by a total of 128 to 26.


1896 Yale Bulldogs football team
The 1896 Yale Bulldogs football team represented Yale University in the 1896 college football season. The Bulldogs finished with a 13–1 record under first-year head coach Sam Thorne. The team recorded nine shutouts and won its first 13 games by a combined 212 to 29 score. It then lost its final game against rival Princeton by a 24–6 score.


1896 Yale Bulldogs football team
Two Yale players, quarterback Clarence Fincke and tackle Fred T. Murphy, were consensus picks for the 1896 College Football All-America Team. Leslie's Weekly also picked three other Yale players (ends Lyman Bass and Louis Hinkey and center Burr Chamberlain) as 1896 first-team All-America players.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections
The United States Senate elections of 1896 and 1897 were elections in which the Democratic Party lost seven seats in the United States Senate, mostly to smaller third parties.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections
As these elections were prior to ratification of the seventeenth amendment, senators were chosen by state legislatures.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, Race summaries, Elections during the 54th Congress
In these elections, the winners were seated during 1896 or in 1897 before March 4; ordered by election date.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, Race summaries, Elections leading to the 55th Congress
In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1897; ordered by state.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, Race summaries, Elections during the 55th Congress
In these elections, the winners were elected in 1897 after March 4; ordered by date.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, New York
The election in New York was held on January 19, 1897, by the New York State Legislature. Democrat David B. Hill had been elected to this seat in 1891, and his term would expire on March 3, 1897. At the State election in November 1895, 36 Republicans and 14 Democrats were elected for a three-year term (1896–1898) in the state senate. At the State election in November 1896, 114 Republicans and 36 Democrats were elected for the session of 1897 to the Assembly. The 120th New York State Legislature met from January 6 to April 24, 1897, at Albany, New York.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, New York
The Republican caucus met on January 14. 149 State legislators attended, and State Senator Cornelius R. Parsons (43rd D.), Ex-Mayor of Rochester, presided. The caucus nominated the Republican boss Thomas C. Platt, who had been briefly a U.S. Senator in 1881, on the first ballot.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, New York
The Democratic caucus met on January 18. 46 State legislators attended, but 5 walked out before the roll was called, after making speeches against Hill. The incumbent U.S. Senator David B. Hill was re-nominated.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, New York
Thomas C. Platt was the choice of both the Assembly and the state senate, and was declared elected. Four anti-Hill Democrats voted for Labor leader Henry George, who later the same year ran for Mayor of New York as a "Jefferson Democrat" but died a few days before the election.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, New York
Note: The votes were cast on January 19, but both Houses met in a joint session on January 20 to compare nominations, and declare the result.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, Pennsylvania
The election in Pennsylvania was held January 19, 1897. Boies Penrose was elected by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Incumbent Republican J. Donald Cameron, who was elected in an 1877 special election and subsequently re-elected in 1879, 1885, and 1891, was not a candidate for re-election. The Pennsylvania General Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, convened on January 19, 1897, to elect a new senator to fill the term beginning on March 4, 1897. The results of the vote of both houses combined are as follows:


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, South Carolina
The election in South Carolina was a unanimous election of the Democratic nominee on January 26, 1897. The Democratic primary election was held on August 26, 1896, and September 9. The Democratic Party of South Carolina organized primary elections for the U.S. Senate beginning in 1896 and the General Assembly would confirm the choice of the Democratic voters. Conservative Democratic Joseph H. Earle won the Democratic primary and was elected by the General Assembly for a six-year term.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, South Carolina
In 1896, Governor of South Carolina John Gary Evans entered the first ever election in the state of South Carolina for the U.S. Senate. He had the backing of Senator Ben Tillman and much of the farming interests in the state. However, the farmers' movement had largely run its course and the Tillmanite reform movement had angered a considerable number of voters in the state. Conservative Joseph H. Earle and Newberry native John T. Duncan announced their candidacy's in opposition to Governor Evans.


1896 and 1897 United States Senate elections, South Carolina
In the primary on August 26 Evans emerged as the frontrunner, but did not garner over 50% of the vote and was forced to face Earle in a runoff election. Those who had voted for Duncan threw their support to Earle and it provided him with the margin he needed for victory over Evans.


1896 college football season
The 1896 college football season had no clear-cut champion, with the Official NCAA Division I Football Records Book listing Lafayette and Princeton as having been selected national champions. Lafayette finished with an 11–0–1 record while Princeton had a 10–0–1 record. In the  second game of the season for both teams, Lafayette and Princeton played to a scoreless tie. Both teams had signature wins: Lafayette defeated Penn 6–4, giving the Quakers their only loss of the season, while Princeton defeated previously unbeaten Yale, 24–6, on Thanksgiving Day in the last game of the season. Princeton was retroactively named the 1896 national champions by the Billingsley Report, the Helms Athletic Foundation, the Houlgate System, and Lafayette and Princeton were named national co-champions by the National Championship Foundation and Parke Davis.


1896 in Afghanistan
Related to 1896 in Afghanistan:Negotiations are going on between the Indian government and the amir tending to the appointment of a joint commission for determining the last 100 miles (160 km) of Indo-Afghan frontier yet unsettled, from Landi Kotal in the Khyber to Nawar Kotal on the Kunar River.


1896 in Afghanistan
Nasrullah Khan is received in a most cordial manner on his return from his visit to England. There are great rejoicings for two or three weeks, but then he gradually drops out of notice. His brother, Habibullah Khan, on the other hand, is immensely popular with everybody, and is in high favour with the amir.


1896 in Afghanistan, Early 1896
Conclusion of the Kafiristan campaign. The Afghans have captured twenty-five forts at an admitted loss of 1,500 killed and wounded. In some of the valleys, however, the Kafirs still hold out, although many of the chiefs submit to the amir at the beginning of February. Soon after hostilities are resumed on the southern and eastern sides of Kafiristan, and nearly all the fertile portions are taken by the Afghan forces. In May the troops are ordered into the more inaccessible northwestern part, so as to complete the subjugation of the country. The amir treats the conquered people with leniency.


1896 in Afghanistan, Early 1896
Orders are issued forbidding slave traffic in Kafirs, for it was alleged that after the victories in the Bashgal Valley at the beginning of the year certain captives were reduced to an atrocious form of slavery. The amir also gives orders to the Afghan officers to treat the Kafirs kindly, and not seek to convert them by force to Islam.


1896 in Afghanistan, Summer 1896
The amir sends a force of militia to occupy the Mittai Valley in Bajaur, where the clans previously received a demand for taxes. The Khan of Nawagai, who rendered excellent service in the Chitral expedition, is alarmed and complains to the government of India. The amir, after some hesitation, acknowledges his obligations under the Durand Line Agreement, but at the end of the year the Afghan outpost still remains at Mittai.


1896 in Afghanistan, October 1896
On the Pamir Mountains frontier the transfer of the Darwaz district of Bukhara to the Afghans up to the Amu Darya, as agreed upon between Russia and Britain, is completed. It is stated that Russia is making movements in the direction of Herat, and intends not only to extend the railway from Merv into the Kushk Valley, but also to build a line from Charjui along the Oxus to Karki, close to the Afghan frontier.


1896 in Afghanistan, December 1896
A slight collision takes place between the forces of the Khan of Nawagai, whose territory was threatened by the Afghans at Mittai, and the Khan of Pashat, and the Afghan force moves down the Kunar River about fifteen miles (24 km) from Asmar to protect their communications with Jalalabad, but nothing more serious happens, and the final solution of the frontier question is in a fair way of settlement. The arrangements for the demarcation of the boundary between British Baluchistan and Persia from Koh-i-Malik Siah on the north, to a point near Jalk, are concluded, and pillars are to be set up in the desert marking the frontier.


1896 in Argentine football
1896 in Argentine football saw Lomas's attempt to win its 4th successive Primera División championship, but the title was finally won by Lomas Academy, the other team from the club, which played its last tournament so it would be dissolved. Buenos Aires and Rosario Railway merged with Belgrano Athletic Club, which debuted that season.


1896 in Argentine football, Primera división
The championship took the format of a league of 5 teams, with each team playing the other twice.


1896 in Australia
The following lists events that happened during 1896 in Australia.


1896 in Australian literature
This article presents a list of the historical events and publications of Australian literature during 1896.


1896 in Australian literature, Births
A list, ordered by date of birth (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of births in 1896 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of death.


1896 in Australian literature, Deaths
A list, ordered by date of death (and, if the date is either unspecified or repeated, ordered alphabetically by surname) of deaths in 1896 of Australian literary figures, authors of written works or literature-related individuals follows, including year of birth.


1896 in Australian soccer
The 1896 season was the 13th season of competitive association football in Australia.


1896 in Australian soccer, Cup competitions
(Note: figures in parentheses display the club's competition record as winners/runners-up.)


1896 in Canadian football, Canadian Football News in 1896
In the MRFU, the fall session saw the Winnipeg Football Club (Winnipegs) and the St.John's Rugby Football Club (St.John's) compete. In the spring session of the season, the Royal Canadian Dragoons were added to the competition. The Winnipegs and the St.John's played a final league game to determine the regular season champion. The St.John's received a bye to the MRFU playoff finals while the Winnipegs played the Dragoons in the MRFU playoff semi-final.


1896 in Canadian football, Canadian Football News in 1896, Final regular season standings
Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, PF = Points For, PA = Points Against, Pts = Points


1896 in Chile
The following lists events that happened during 1896 in Chile.


1896 in Iran
The following lists events that have happened in 1896 in the Qajar dynasty.


1896 in Italy, Events
In 1896, the Banco Ambrosiano was founded in Milan by Giuseppe Tovini, a Catholic advocate, and was named after Saint Ambrose, the 4th century archbishop of the city. Tovini's purpose was to create a Catholic bank as a counterbalance to Italy's "lay" banks, and its goals were "serving moral organisations, pious works, and religious bodies set up for charitable aims." The bank came to be known as the "priests' bank."


1896 in New Zealand
The following lists events that happened during 1896 in New Zealand.


1896 in New Zealand, Incumbents, Government and law
The Liberal Party is re-elected and begins the 13th New Zealand Parliament.


1896 in Norwegian music
The following is a list of notable events and releases of the year 1896 in Norwegian music.


1896 in Russia
This is the current revision of this page, as edited by Rcb1 (talk | contribs) at 10:32, 13 April 2020 (→Deaths:  Batalin). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this version.


1896 in South Africa
The following lists events that happened during 1896 in South Africa.


1896 in Swedish football
The 1896 season in Swedish football, starting January 1896 and ending December 1896:


1896 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1896 to Wales and its people.


1896 in association football
The following are the association football events of the year 1896 throughout the world.


1896 in baseball
The following are the baseball events of the year 1896  throughout the world.


1896 in basketball
The following are the basketball events of the year 1896  throughout the world.


1896 in film
The following is an overview of the events of 1896 in film, including a list of films released and notable births.


1896 in literature
This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1896.


1896 in motorsport
The following is an overview of the events of 1896 in motorsport, including the major racing events, racing festivals, circuits that were opened and closed during a year, championships and non-championship events that were established and disestablished in a year, and births and deaths of racing drivers and other motorsport people.


1896 in motorsport, Events
It was the first year with motorsport competition with 1896 Paris–Marseille–Paris as the first race.


1896 in paleontology
Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. This includes the study of body fossils, tracks (ichnites), burrows, cast-off parts, fossilised feces (coprolites), palynomorphs and chemical residues. Because humans have encountered fossils for millennia, paleontology has a long history both before and after becoming formalized as a science. This article records significant discoveries and events related to paleontology that occurred or were published in the year 1896.


1896 in poetry
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,


1896 in poetry
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,If all men count with you, but none too much:If you can fill the unforgiving minuteWith sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,


1896 in poetry
— closing lines of Rudyard Kipling's If—, first published this year


1896 in poetry
Nationality words link to articles with information on the nation's poetry or literature (for instance, Irish or France).


1896 in poetry, Works published in English, United Kingdom
Smart lad, to slip betimes awayFrom fields where glory does not stayAnd early though the laurel growsIt withers quicker than the rose. Eyes the shady night has shutCannot see the record cut,And silence sounds no worse than cheers  After earth has stopped the ears:-- Lines 9-16


1896 in poetry, Births
Death years link to the corresponding "[year] in poetry" article:


1896 in poetry, Deaths
Birth years link to the corresponding "[year] in poetry" article:


1896 in rail transport
This article lists events related to rail transport that occurred in 1896.


1896 in science
The year 1896 in science and technology involved some significant events, listed below.


1896 in sports
1896 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.


1896 in the Congo Free State
The following lists events that happened during 1896 in the Congo Free State.


1896 in the Congo Free State, Sources
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:


1896 in the Philippines
1896 in the Philippines details events of note that happened in the Philippines in the year 1896.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion
The 1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion (Greek: Μακεδονική επανάσταση του 1896–1897) was a Greek rebellion, launched in 1896, and a guerrilla movement that took place in Macedonia in order to preserve the conscience and ready-mindedness of the Macedonian Greek populations, to create a rivalous awe against the Bulgarians the demarcation of the Greek territorial claims in the Ottoman area and the creation of a distraction for the events of Crete. The movement was of Macedonian character, as the regiments invading Macedonia from Thessaly consisted primarily of Macedonian chieftains and fighters, most of whom were from Northwestern Macedonia.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion
The initial impetus was given by the Ethniki Etaireia (Greek National Company), but then several Macedonian chieftains spontaneously and without coordination were involved in the events, while in some regions of Macedonia the events took the form of massive uprisings. The main rebels of the Macedonian Revolution of 1896 were the areas of Sanjak of Monastir (Florina, Bitola, Prespes), Sanjak of Korytsa (Kastoria), Sanjak of Servia (Grevena, Kozani), Sanjak of Salonica (Thessaloniki, Pieria, Imathia, Pella, Tikveš) and Sanjak of Serres (Serres, Upper Nevrokopi, Lower Nevrokopi).


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Background
Already in the Macedonian revolution of 1878 around 1,000 Revolutionary veterans were in Thessaly, while other 2,000 to 2,500 thousand Macedonians who had been expelled because of the degraded situation in their homelands were counted. On top of that, many leaders of the Macedonian Revolution of 1878 had remained in Macedonia and continued the guerrilla action. They used to let go in the winter and from the spring they were destroying mainly Ottoman targets. The Ethniki Etaireia (Greek National Company) invited the chieftains who were in the free Greece to organize and coordinate their action.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Background
The chiefs who participated were Zermas, Makris, Alamanos, Naoum Konstantinidis, Vlachavas, Athanasios Broufas, Takis Natsios (Periphanos) from Megarovo, Pelagonia, Panagiotis Ververas and Christos Ververas. At the same time, without agreement, Nikolaos Tsapanos from Pelagonia, who lived in Thessaly, bought 500 weapons for the rebels. Chief of the revolutionary forces was proclaimed Athanasios Broufas. A total of 400 rebels came from Thessaly to Macedonia, whose vast majority were from Northwestern Macedonia. Also participated, Epirotes, heard the Thessalians and the Stereohelladites and, to a lesser extent, the Cretans, the Greeks of Russia and the Eastern Rumelians.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Background
The first infantry under Athanasios Broufas, 90 men, with Macedonians Demetrios Kannavos, Takis Natsios (Periphanos), Ioannis Georgantas, Ioannis Tsamis from Pisoderi, Vassilios Economou and Lazaros Varzis disembarked in early July 1896 in Skala Eleftherohoriou and afterwards victorious battles with the Ottomans in Vermio Mountains split into two groups. The one with Takis Natsios (Periphanos), Ioannis Tsamis and Lazaros Varzis was headed to Florina, while the second with Athanasios Broufas, Ioannis Georgantas and Vassilios Economou was headed to Veria, Naousa, Ostrovo, Morichovo and Kafantari.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Background
The Broufas' infantry split into smaller and moved to Eordaia and Kozani where he gave several battles with Ottoman military regiments. Also, great battles were given in Vladovo and Pozar, Pella. At the end of July 1896, Athanasios Broufas and his men gave a long battle against the Ottomans at the Axios Gates at Tikves. There, Demetrios Kannavos lost his life.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Background
The Natsios (Periphanos)' infantry from Peristeri where he was headed was headed on 15 August at the Monastery of Panagia Slimnitsa, in Louboino of Pelagonia, where he met with the chieftains Lazaros Varzis (Zarkadas), Makris, Ioannis Tsamis, Katarachias, Mitsos and Davelis. There they co-authored a revolutionary declaration to the people of Macedonia, the Ottoman authorities and the European consuls explaining the causes of the revolution and its purposes. They were then separated and acted separately in Kastoria, Nestorio, Florina and Eordaia.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Background
The declaration was mentioning among others: "We, being Greek, want Macedonia Greek, and for this we fight".


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Background
Initially, the military commander of Manastir Vilayet underestimated the revolution and assured the Vali (governor) Abdul Kerim that he was in control of the situation and that he would fight the rebels. However, the acceptance of the movement by the local Greek population was great; many Greeks from Ohrid and Morichovo were trying to join the guerrillas. Twenty-one fighters were recruited in Boufi. This situation alienated Avdul Kerim Pasha and took action himself. Ottoman reprisals took place in Trebeno, Eordaia, where a furious mob murdered Emmanuel Tsiotsias and Nikolaos Georgiou.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Background
In Kozani, the mob caused great disasters in Greek properties and threatened with a general massacre of the Greeks. In the Sarakinoi of Pella, the Ottomans burned many homes, tortured the inhabitants, raped the women, and hung the priest of the village. Finally, it was decided to create a special troop of 800 men who would chase the rebels.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Evolution of the revolution until 1897
Then other infantries entered Macedonia and acted in Morichovo, Almopia and Nevrokopi (Upper and Lower). The revolution lasted until the autumn of 1896 in the areas of Grevena and Kozani, when it was decided to withdraw for the winter due to the lack of munitions and the fear of the Ottoman reprisals in the villages that participated. In the spring of 1897, some chieftains who remained in Macedonia continued their action but the unfortunate outcome for the Greek side, of the Greco-Turkish War finally ended the revolution.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Consequences
Song for chieftain Athanasios BroufasCuckoos in mountains and partridges in slopes are saying it,rock thrush also says it in guerrilla hideouts. Guerrillas scattered, they made battalionsBroufas in Mariovo, Zarkadas in Kailariaand Takis Periphanos high in Peristeri. And once again they were gathered in Panagia Limnitsa and from there, they send commands and they frighten the Turkish:"Turkish, stay quiet! We burn your villages. It's not last year, Bulgarian bastardsBut, it's Greek lads, who live in the ravinesand they fight the Turkish, day and night."


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Consequences
The outburst of the 1896 Revolution in Macedonia was great and had been remembered by the Macedonians for several years, although it was short and without practical results. However, the presence and claims of the Hellenism of the region that remained alive was what really gained from this revolutionary movement and created a revolutionary tradition with a host of chieftains and rebels who could rebel at any time. It was the yeast that gave the numerous guerrillas during the period of the Macedonian Struggle.


1896–1897 Macedonian rebellion, Consequences
The European diplomatic representatives in the region as well as the Ottoman authorities were impressed by the ethos of the Greek revolutionaries, as they never turned against civilians, did not commit looting and thefts. The 1896 revolution was engraved in the memory of the Greeks of Macedonia and a number of folk songs survived in the oral tradition.


1896–97 Aston Villa F.C. season
The 1896-97 English football season was Aston Villa's ninth season in the Football League since being one of its 12 founding members in 1888.


1896–97 Aston Villa F.C. season
The season got off to a slow start, with Villa recording only two wins in the first six games. An unbeaten run of 12 games took them to the top, where they finished with a lead of 11 points. The title was won when Derby County F.C. failed to win on 10 April; Villa had three games left to play, all of which were won.


1896–97 Aston Villa F.C. season
For good measure, the FA Cup was also won, to make Villa the second team to complete "The Double".


1896–97 Aston Villa F.C. season
This was the season during which Villa moved from Wellington Road to their current home at Villa Park, although it was still referred to as 'Aston Lower Grounds' for some time.


1896–97 Aston Villa F.C. season
John Campbell was not quite as productive as in the previous season, and the leading scorer honours went to Fred Wheldon. Fred had been signed in 1896 for £350 from local rivals Small Heath, who had been  relegated the previous season. He was a good dribbler with the ball and won four caps for England. He played first class cricket for Worcestershire.


1896–97 Aston Villa F.C. season, Results, Football League
A total of 16 teams competed in the First Division in the 1896–97 season. Each team would play every other team twice, once at their stadium, and once at the opposition's. Two points were awarded to teams for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats.


1896–97 Belgian First Division, Overview
It was contested by 6 teams, and Racing Club de Bruxelles won the championship.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season
The 1896–97 season was Blackpool F.C. 's debut season in the Football League. They competed in the sixteen-team Division Two, then the second tier of English football, finishing eighth.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season
Jack Parkinson was the club's top scorer, with fifteen goals to his name. Tommy Bowman, William Douglas and Bob Norris were ever-present during the club's 30 league games.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Blackpool's first game in the Football League took place on 5 September 1896, at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank. The visitors' starting eleven that day was: William Douglas, Henry Parr (captain), Tommy Bowman, Alex Stuart, Harry Stirzaker, Bob Norris, John Clarkin, Sam Donnelly, Jack Parkinson, Bob Parkinson and Charlie Mount. Mount scored Blackpool's first League goal, but they slipped to a 3–1 defeat.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
A week later, Blackpool travelled to Darwen and chalked up their first victory, 3–2.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
On 19 September, Burton Wanderers were the first visitors to Raikes Hall for a Football League game, and they returned whence they came with a 5–0 defeat behind them.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
For the final game of September, the Seasiders hosted Manchester City. The match finished 2–2.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Another road trip ensued, on 3 October, to Leicester Fosse. The Midlanders took both points with a 2–1 victory.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
After a fortnight's break, Blackpool welcomed North-West neighbours Newton Heath to Raikes Hall. The home side ran out 4–2 winners.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
November began with a trip to Manchester City. The host won 4–2.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Lincoln City travelled to the Lancashire coast on 14 November, and Blackpool recorded their first win for a month. Bob Birkett, on his debut and in his only appearance of the season, scored Blackpool's first goal in a 3–1 victory.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Two weeks later, Notts County were the visitors, and Blackpool were the victors for the second consecutive game, this time with a 3–2 result.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Blackpool didn't play again until a 19 December visit to Woolwich Arsenal. They lost 4–2.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
On Boxing Day, Blackpool travelled to Newton Heath and lost 2–0 in what appears to be, at around 10,000, the largest crowd of the season in a game involving Blackpool.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
1897 began with a New Year's Day victory at home to Grimsby Town.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
On 4 January, Woolwich Arsenal made the trip up from London. They returned to the capital with a point after a 1–1 draw.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Twelve days later, Blackpool travelled north-east to Newcastle United. The Magpies won 4–1.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
On 23 January, Small Heath were the visitors to Raikes Hall. They won 3–1.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
A third consecutive defeat occurred at Loughborough at the end of the month. The match ended 1–4.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
After another break, Blackpool hosted Walsall on 13 February and chalked up their first win in four games with a 3–2 result.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Grimsby was the destination the following weekend. The match ended in a 2–2 draw.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Blackpool took on Leicester Fosse on 27 February, and ran out 3–0 winners.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Into March, and an away game against Small Heath. Blackpool won 3–1.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
A third consecutive victory followed on 13 March — 4–1 at home to Newcastle United.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
The Seasiders' good form ended in the following game, a 3–1 defeat at Notts County.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
On 27 March, Blackpool returned to winning ways when Loughborough travelled to Raikes Hall. The hosts won 4–1.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Two days later, Blackpool travelled to Burton Wanderers and lost 3–1.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Two more defeats ensued: 2–0 at Gainsborough Trinity, and the same scoreline at Walsall.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Seven months after they met in East Lancashire, on 16 April Darwen travelled west to the coast. Jack Parkinson's strike gave Blackpool both points.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
A 3–0 home victory over Burton Swifts ensued, before the final game of the season saw Gainsborough Trinity visit the seaside for a 1–1 draw.


1896–97 Blackpool F.C. season, Season review
Three players appeared in each of Blackpool's 30 matches: Douglas, Bowman and Norris.


1896–97 Brentford F.C. season
During the 1896–97 English football season, Brentford competed in the London League Second Division. The club finished as runners-up to gain promotion to the First Division.


1896–97 Brentford F.C. season, Season summary
During the 1896 off-season, Brentford was elected into the Second Division of the newly-formed London League. 1896–97 marked the club's first full season of competitive league play since 1892–93, when it finished as champions of the West London Alliance. Long-serving half back Jimmy Ray and outside left Tommy Stevenson were released and transferred in were forwards Oakey Field, Harold Hudson, J. Wade and left half Billy Smith.


1896–97 Brentford F.C. season, Season summary
Despite a failure to win either the London Senior Cup, Middlesex Senior Cup or the West Middlesex Cup, Brentford took the London League Second Division by storm, losing just one match all season to finish as runners-up to champions Bromley and gain promotion to the First Division. Attendances at Shotter's Field were rarely below 1,500 and forward Oakey Field and captain Arthur Charlton scored many of the team's goals.


1896–97 Brentford F.C. season, Playing squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1896–97 British Home Championship
The 1896–97 British Home Championship was an international football tournament between the British Home Nations. It was won by Scotland after a late goal at The Crystal Palace which beat England to the trophy despite England's dominance of the competition up to that point. Ireland came third despite conceding 14 goals and Wales finished last having picked up only one point.


1896–97 British Home Championship
England began the tournament the strongest, scoring six without reply against the Irish in Belfast with Fred Wheldon claiming a hat-trick. Ireland recovered in the second match however, a high-scoring affair against Wales in which the Irish just claimed a 4–3 victory. Wales too improved in their second match, forcing a draw from Scotland in Wrexham, before Scotland too improved, beating Ireland 5–1 at home to temporarily take the top of the table. England surpassed them in the penultimate match, winning 4–0 over Wales and needing only a draw in the final game at home against Scotland to win the tournament. Scotland however were more than a match for the English and scored late to claim their 2–1 victory and win the trophy.


1896–97 Bucknell Bison men's basketball team
The 1896–97 Bucknell Bison men's basketball team represented Bucknell University during the 1896–97 college men's basketball season. The team had finished with an overall record of 4–1.


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
The 1896–97 season was Burslem Port Vale's first season of football (third overall) back in the Midland League following a four season stay in the Football League. The first half of the season saw low crowds and poor results, the consequence of which led to discussions about dissolving the club. However the club returned from the brink, as a new committee was formed, with Edward Oliver installed as chairman and Sam Gleaves appointed club secretary.


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season
Good results and large crowds followed in the second half of the campaign, and the club finished in seventh-place and narrowly missed out on re-election to the Football League. Vale were beaten by Football League opposition in the fifth qualification round in the FA Cup, whilst exiting the Birmingham Senior Cup, Staffordshire Senior Cup and Wellingborough Cup in the early stages, though they did beat Football League side Walsall in the latter competition. They won the Staffordshire Senior Charity Cup after beating Dresden United 3–0.


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Midland League
Having failed a vote to stay in the Football League, Burslem Port Vale successfully re-applied for membership of the Midland League. They started positively with a 4–1 home win over Wellingborough Town, though only 200 spectators turned up to the Athletic Ground. Bad news followed as centre-half Ralph Barlow suffered a breakdown and was sent to a convalescent home. The team then lost home and away to Glossop North End, with Danny Simpson being sent off in the home fixture for making an "objectionable remark" to the referee.


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Midland League
A 1–0 defeat at Worksop was followed by a 5–2 win over a strong Doncaster Rovers side. Wellingborough Town then took their revenge with a 3–2 win in Wellingborough. Feeling the need to raise funds, Vale sold goalkeeper Tom Baddeley to Wolverhampton Wanderers for £50. The financial boost was needed as a 3–1 home win over Barnsley St Peter's on 7 November saw just 100 spectators, raising gross takings of £5 for a match-day loss of around £8. In Baddeley's absence Vale conceded six in a home defeat to Rushden and "the disgust of the spectators was general". A public meeting was held on 14 December to debate the club's future, if any; the outlook seemed extremely bleak as a poorly attended meeting heard that the club had a debt of £110 and the current committee were unwilling to continue funding the club.


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Midland League
Heanor Town lent Vale the necessary £5 expenses for the trip to Heanor and the home side subsequently romped to a 7–1 victory. Just as the club seemed to be heading for oblivion, a new committee of "all the football worthies in the town" was formed to take the club forward in a meeting at Burslem town hall that was "packed to suffocation"; Edward Oliver was voted as the new chairman, with Sam Gleaves as the new secretary. In January, a public company was floated with £2,000 capital in £1 shares.


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Midland League
On 2 January, Vale recorded their first away win of the campaign, beaten second-bottom Grantham Rovers 1–0. The turn around in form was confirmed with a 2–1 win over champions Kettering. Now in a position to strengthen the team, Vale signed left-sided attacker James Peake from Crewe Alexandra. A 7–2 defeat at Barnsley St Peter's proved to be the one blip in a run of nine unbeaten in the league, with the team grumbling about foul play from the hosts and "incompetence" from the referee. On 20 February, Vale managed to humiliate Grantham Rovers 8–0.


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Midland League
Supporters returned to the Athletic Ground and a crowd of 1,500 witnessed a 3–1 victory over Long Eaton Rangers on 6 March. Two away victories saw the club rise to fourth in the league, including a 1–0 win at Rushden in which Fred Belfield was "advised to leave the field" by the referee as the home crowd were threatening to rush the pitch in response to Belfield's repeated kicking of defender Minney. More crowd trouble also occurred in the 1–0 win at Doncaster Rovers, as Dick Evans was grabbed by the throat and Teddy Morse was "hurled under the waggonette".


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Midland League
Morse was sent off in the following game, a 1–0 home defeat by Ilkeston Town, after Willett claimed he had bitten his nose. Vale went on to win their final two home fixtures, ending the campaign in seventh-place with 31 points from 28 matches, just one point away from third-place. Dick Evans finished as the club's top-scorer, claiming 12 league goals – though some of these might actually have been scored by namesake Ted Evans. The team's form in 1897 saw the club given a vote on whether they should be readmitted into the Football League at the league's annual meeting; however their 11 votes were two fewer than successful applicants Luton Town.


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
Vale claimed a walkover victory over Hereford in the third qualification round of the FA Cup after they could not guarantee the visitor's expenses. They then beat Birmingham League side Stourbridge in the next round, but failed to overcome Football League Second Division side Burton Swifts in the fifth qualification round in what was described as "the best game seen at Cobridge for two years". They exited the Birmingham Senior Cup at the first round, losing 2–1 to Brierley Hill Alliance.


1896–97 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season, Overview, Cup competitions
They failed to make it past the preliminary round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup, falling to a 4–2 defeat at Dresden United in a replayed fixture after the initial match was tied 1–1. In the Wellingborough Cup, Vale beat Football League Second Division side Walsall 3–2 at Fellows Park, but then lost 3–1 at Wellingborough Town in the semi-finals. On 28 April, Vale claimed the Staffordshire Senior Charity Cup after beating Dresden United 3–0.


1896–97 Butler Christians men's basketball team
The 1896–97 Butler Christians men's basketball team represented Butler University during the 1896–97 college men's basketball season.


1896–97 Celtic F.C. season
During the 1896–97 Scottish football season, Celtic competed in the Scottish First Division.


1896–97 Columbia men's ice hockey season
The 1896–97 Columbia men's ice hockey season was the inaugural season of play for the program. Columbia University became just the third American university to support an ice hockey team.


1896–97 Columbia men's ice hockey season, Season
A year after Yale played the first intercollegiate game against Johns Hopkins, Columbia organized their own team and found that it had sufficient interest to support two full teams. The team played two practice games in December in order to get their feet wet and help the novice players learn the game.


1896–97 Columbia men's ice hockey season, Season
Note: Columbia University adopted the Lion as its mascot in 1910.


1896–97 Drexel Blue and Gold men's basketball team
The 1896–97 Drexel Blue and Gold men's basketball team represented Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry during the 1896–97 men's basketball season. The Blue and Gold played their home games at Main Building.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season
The 1896–97 season was the 24th Scottish football season in which Dumbarton competed at national level, entering the Scottish Football League and the Scottish Cup. In addition Dumbarton played in the Dumbartonshire Cup.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, August
The first league game of the new season was played at home to Partick Thistle on 15 August, and after an evenly contested match the spoils were shared in a 2-2 draw.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, August
The following Saturday Dumbarton visited Port Glasgow with a team that showed 3 changes, Juniors   Rodger and Watson being given trials together with the addition of returnee Hugh Craig. Dumbarton led through a Malloy goal at half time, and while Port Glasgow equalised, the Sons regained the lead only for the home team to score twice in the last five minutes for a 3-2 win.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, August
On 29 August Dumbarton were at home to play their league fixture against Greenock Morton. The team had a forced change with the departure of McIlhany, his place being taken by Reid. With a gale blowing down the field Dumbarton conceded a goal against the wind before half time. Morton scored another two in the second half, but Dumbarton put up a sterling struggle considering that most of the second 45 minutes were played with only 8 men as both Thomsons and Reid were all lost to injury.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, September
On 5 September Dumbarton travelled to Rugby Park to play Kilmarnock. With the previous week’s injuries, a reshuffle was required with Morrice and Weir returning together with Skinner stepping up from the reserves. Unfortunately in a poor performance the home team cruised to victory by 5-1.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, September
It was another away tie the following week but the journey was short as the opponents were local rivals Renton. William Thomson returned to the side but it made little difference as the Sons fell to a disappointing 4-0 defeat.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, September
After a weather disrupted weekend Dumbarton resumed league business at Boghead on 26 September against Leith Athletic. The match was a close affair but in the end Dumbarton succumbed to yet another defeat by 2-1.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, October
The first ever league fixture against Airdrie was played at Broomfield Park on 3 October. More departures in the form of Craig, McIlhany and Weir meant further team changes including new boys McGregor and Adamson. The game however finished with the same story of a Dumbarton defeat – this time by 3-2.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, October
For many seasons the relationship between Dumbarton and Queen’s Park had been cold but on 10 October the teams met in a friendly at Hampden Park. Certainly this match – over two 35 minute halves - was between amateur sides but the Queen’s Park had for many years attracted the cream of the crop and it showed in the 6-1 beating that was handed out.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, October
The following Saturday it was a trip to Cappielow Park to play Morton in the return league fixture. There was another new face – Fraser - playing at inside left but while Dumbarton’s play was much improved on previous outings it was yet another defeat – 3-1.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, October
Yet another away fixture – the sixth in nine league matches – was set for 24 October. The venue was Beechwood Park to play Leith Athletic and the team showed three more changes with the introduction of Bowman in goals, McBirnie at left back and Hodge at inside left. The result was a disastrous 7-1 defeat.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, October
There was a free week on 31 October but with nine matches down and nine to go, Dumbarton had a solitary point to show for their efforts and were marooned at the foot of the table.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, November
The first game of November saw neighbours Renton visit Boghead on league duty. Docherty was back in goals but despite holding out 1-1 at half time it was Renton who took the points by scoring two more in the second half for a 3-1 win.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, November
The only point gathered so far in the league was against Partick Thistle back in August and it was hoped that fortunes might pick up for the return fixture in Glasgow on 14 November. The first half was evenly contested with the Jags leading by the only goal but in the second half Dumbarton fell away and lost by 6-1.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, November
The following weekend a friendly was arranged with the recently revived Vale of Leven at Millburn Park. In a dull game a 1-1 draw was achieved.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, November
On 28 November Dumbarton visited Govan to play Linthouse in their first league fixture of the season. Dumbarton trialled Mitchell at left back and at half time the team had played well to lead 2-1. Linthouse levelled the scores in the second half but Dumbarton had at last secured their second point.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, December
On 5 December Dumbarton welcomed Airdrie to Boghead for their return league fixture. Helping out the team was Dumbarton old boy Hugh Mair at inside left. In October the Sons had only lost out to the odd goal in five but on this occasion the visitors had the game tied up by half time – leading 3-0. Dumbarton got one back through Hendry but it was too little too late.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, December
The weather put paid to any further play by Dumbarton during December and so 1896 found them still propping up the Second Division and still awaiting their first victory.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, January
The first game of 1897 on 9 January pitted Dumbarton against Raith Rovers at Boghead in the First Round of the Scottish Cup. While the match was a closely contested affair, the Rovers reached the interval a goal ahead. However Dumbarton came back in the second half and two Mair goals sealed the tie and the Sons first victory of the season.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, January
The Second Round of the Cup draw Dumbarton against Leith Athletic and while the tie was to have been played on 16 January, due to the weather it was not until 6 February that the game went ahead.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, February
The team to play Leith showed a number of changes including the return of William Thomson at inside left and new boy Lewis Mackie just arrived from Artizan Thistle. In addition old boy Leitch Keir made a guest appearance for the club. At the interval all looked bleak as Leith had built up a 4-1 lead, but the new spirit of the Dumbarton side came through as they scored three times in the second half to earn a replay.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, February
On 13 February the replay was held at Beechwood with the Dumbarton team strengthened further with the return of Alex Miller who took Keir’s place and the introduction of Willie Speedie from Artizan Thistle at inside right. A Hendry hat trick had Dumbarton in ‘easy street’ but Leith reduced the leeway before the interval. The Second Division leaders showed their character and scored twice in the second half to take the tie to a second replay.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, February
The following Saturday both teams went to Fir Park, Motherwell to finally decide this tie. Dumbarton fielded an unchanged side and with new boys Mackie and Speedie playing exceptionally, for the second week running Dumbarton built up a 3-0 lead. Again Leith fought back with two goals but were unable to find an equaliser – and so the Sons advanced. Alex Miller's appearance in this tie was his 112th competitive match for the club - overtaking Tom McMillan's record set in 1895.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, February
Dumbarton’s toughest match to date came on 27 February with a quarter final tie against First Division St Bernards. The Edinburgh side were installed as one of the favourites for the Cup, but an unchanged Dumbarton side were not about to stand aside. A penalty was saved by Docherty ensuring that half time was reached goalless. However William Thomson made no mistake with his penalty in the second half, and this followed up with a Dan Thomson strike meant that Dumbarton had reached the semi final stage of the national cup for the first time since 1889.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, March
On 6 March Dumbarton returned to league duty at Boghead against Linthouse. The Sons had earned one of their two points at Govan in August and hopes were high that an unchanged side could achieve their first league victory. As it was the match, while full of goals was sloppy, and whether or not Dumbarton had their minds on the cup, the game finished in a 5-4 defeat.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, March
And so the following Saturday Kilmarnock who were having some success in the Second Division arrived at Boghead to decide who would head to Hampden in the final of the Scottish Cup. For the fifth match in succession Dumbarton’s team was unchanged and in the first half matters were equal as Dan Thomson’s penalty was cancelled out by Kilmarnock before half time. In the second period Dumbarton raced to a 4-1 lead, but Killie pegged this back to 4-3 before the final whistle sounded.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, March
So Hampden Park it was – on 20 March – 1,000 Dumbarton supporters joined 12.000 others to witness the Sons first final since 1891 to face the mighty Glasgow Rangers. Things did not look good as Rangers raced to a two goal lead but a goal by William Thomson restored confidence. Immediately thereafter the Rangers goalkeeper had a lucky save followed by a Dumbarton goal that was chalked off for offside. Somehow that deflated Dumbarton’s spirit and Rangers went on to score another three goals for a flattering 5-1 win.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, April
Dumbarton’s next game was a county cup semi final tie against Newtown Thistle on 3 April. In a close game Dumbarton eventually ran out winners by 4-3.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, April
The following Saturday Dumbarton played their return league fixture against Kilmarnock at Boghead. Kilmarnock had only one of their away fixtures and the Sons were anxious to show the home crowd their cup spirit. In an even first half Killie were ahead by a goal, but they more than gained revenge for their Scottish Cup semi final exit by easily brushing Dumbarton aside 6-0. The match would be Alex Miller's final game for the club. During his nine seasons he set a new record of 117 appearances in all national competitive matches.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, April
On 17 April, Scottish Cup finalists Dumbarton travelled to Fir Park to play Qualifying Cup finalists Motherwell. It was decided long before that Dumbarton would finish bottom of the division but two points against the team immediately above them would be a success of sorts. Despite missing Saunderson and Miller the game started well as Fraser put Dumbarton into an early lead but from then on it was all Motherwell who won at a stroll by 5-1.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, April
A week later Dumbarton and Vale of Leven met at Tontine Park to decide the fate of the Dumbartonshire Cup. Scott took Docherty’s place in goal but it was expected that the ‘league’ side would come out on top. Up until 15 minutes from time Dumbarton had the best of the game and led 2-1 but the Vale found an extra gear and scored twice to secure the trophy.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, April
Two days later on 26 April a Dumbartonshire Select XI played against Rangers for the benefit of Renton. Docherty, Mauchan, Hendry and Fraser all played in the county team which lost 2-1.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, May
On 1 May Dumbarton played Vale of Leven again in a friendly at Boghead. This time the Sons made up for the disappointment of the previous week and gave their neighbours a lesson in goal scoring with a 5-1 drubbing.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, May
The following Saturday Dumbarton played their penultimate league tie at Boghead against Port Glasgow – and after 16 failed attempts the Sons finally broke their ‘duck’ to win their first league fixture with a comfortable 4-1 win.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, May
Then on 15 May Dumbarton finished off their season with a further success – a home league victory over Motherwell. Thus amassing 6 points from their 18 games but still stuck at the bottom of the league.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Story of the Season, June
By finishing bottom, Dumbarton required to go through the election process for continued membership of the Scottish League. Despite the poor league performance it was hoped that the later cup successes would be a positive factor. Nonetheless on 1 June it was Ayr from the Ayrshire Combination League that would step up, and just five years after retaining the league championship Dumbarton found themselves out in the wilderness. Full results of election as follows:


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Player statistics
The drop to the Second Division had a limited effect on Dumbarton’s strongest XI, although they did lose the services of Billy Nash to Clyde and Samuel Woods to Stoke. In addition a number of first XI players decided to leave during the season with John Gillan heading to Everton, Robert Hendry to Rangers and Albert Saunderson also leaving for pastures new. A good many more would follow.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Player statistics
However the side was strengthened by the return of former internationalist William Thomson.


1896–97 Dumbarton F.C. season, Reserve team
Dumbarton lost in the second round of the Scottish Second XI Cup to Rangers.


1896–97 Dundee F.C. season
The 1896–97 season was the fourth season in which Dundee competed at a Scottish national level, playing in Division One, finishing in 5th place for the 2nd consecutive season. Dundee would also compete in the Scottish Cup. Dundee would switch their main kit colours from sky blue and white stripes to a white shirt and black shorts.


1896–97 Everton F.C. season
The 1896/97 Football League season was the ninth in Football League history with Everton having been an ever present in the top division. The club played thirty-five games in England's two major competitions, winning eighteen, drawing three and losing fourteen. The club finished the season in seventh place, eight points clear of the test match relegation place, and reached their second F A Cup final but again lost, this time 2-3 against Aston Villa.


1896–97 Everton F.C. season, Season review
In each of the previous two seasons Everton had started the calendar year on top of the League, only to falter in the second half of the season. In their bid to strengthen the forward line they brought in Jack Taylor from his hometown club St Mirren, slotting into the role vacated by Tom McInnes who had departed during the summer for Luton Town to join the forward line of Bell, Chadwick, Milward and Hartley.


1896–97 Everton F.C. season, Season review
Elsewhere the familiar half back line of Boyle, Holt & Stewart would line up in front of full back, Smart Arridge, who would be partnered in defence this year by David Storrier after James Adams had returned to his former club Hearts


1896–97 Everton F.C. season, Season review
On paper this side looked as good as any in the First Division but there was uncertainty over the ability of the inexperienced goalkeeper, Harry Briggs, who had stepped in to make just one appearance the previous season after the departure of Jack Hillman.


1896–97 Everton F.C. season, Season review
With the exception of the inclusion of John Cameron in place of Hartley, this was the team that won their opening game against The Wednesday, while Barker made his debut at the back, in place of Arridge in their second game, another victory over Wolves that took the Toffeemen joint top of the table with Bolton, albeit already having a game in hand on the Trotters. The Merseysiders went on to win four of their opening five games before embarking on a dreadful slump that provided just a solitary victory in their next nine games.


1896–97 Everton F.C. season, Season review
The change initially looked to have been a wise one as, shortly after Menham's arrival, Everton embarked on a run of seven consecutive League and Cup victories to put themselves right back into the title race, four points behind leaders, Aston Villa with ten games remaining.


1896–97 Everton F.C. season, Season review
The last of those victories was Everton's first round cup tie with Burton Wanderers and it seemed that the cup run once again affected their League form as they now went on a run of six consecutive League defeats which killed any lingering title ambitions.


1896–97 FA Cup
The 1896–1897 FA Cup was the 26th season of the world's oldest association football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup (more usually known as the FA Cup). The cup was won by Aston Villa, who defeated Everton 3–2 in the final of the competition, played at Crystal Palace in London. In doing so, Aston Villa became only the second team to have won the Double, as they won the league on the same day as their cup victory (and the only team to do this).


1896–97 FA Cup
Matches were scheduled to be played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played, a replay would take place at the stadium of the second-named team later the same week. If the replayed match was drawn further replays would be held at neutral venues until a winner was determined. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played in a replay, a 30-minute period of extra time would be played.


1896–97 FA Cup, Calendar
The format of the FA Cup for the season had a preliminary round, five qualifying rounds, three proper rounds, and the semi finals and final. Each of the Rounds Proper were played on a set date, whereas the Preliminary and Qualifying Round matches were played on several dates over a given period of time.


1896–97 FA Cup, First round proper
The First Round Proper contained 16 ties between 32 teams. The 16 First Division sides were given a bye to this round, as were Notts County, Small Heath, Burton Wanderers, Grimsby Town, Newcastle United and Manchester City from the Second Division. The other Second Division sides were entered into the Third Qualifying Round. Of those sides, only Newton Heath and Burton Swifts qualified to the FA Cup Proper. Eight non-league sides also qualified.


1896–97 FA Cup, First round proper
The matches were played on Saturday, 30 January 1897. One match was drawn, with the replay taking place in the following midweek fixture.


1896–97 FA Cup, Second Round Proper
The eight Second Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 13 February 1897. There was one replay, played in the following midweek fixture.


1896–97 FA Cup, Third round proper
The four Third Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 27 February 1897. There were two replays, played in the following midweek fixture, of which the Preston North End – Aston Villa match went to a second replay the following week.


1896–97 FA Cup, Semi-Finals
The semi-final matches were both played on Saturday, 20 March 1897. Aston Villa and Everton went on to meet in the final at Crystal Palace.


1896–97 FA Cup, Final
The final took place on Saturday, 10 April 1897 at Crystal Palace. Just under 66,000 supporters attended the match. John Campbell opened the scoring for Villa after 18 minutes. Villa's lead was maintained for only five minutes before Everton equalised, through a goal from Jack Bell. Everton then went in front after Dickie Boyle scored five minutes later, but that lead only lasted seven minutes, when Fred Wheldon got an equaliser. Jimmy Crabtree put Villa back in front just before half-time, and Villa managed to come through the second half without conceding, meaning they had become only the second team ever to win the Double in England.


1896–97 FC Basel season
The FC Basel 1896–97 season was their fourth season since the club's foundation on 15 November 1893. Emanuel Schiess was the club's chairman, but he stood down at the club's AGM and Charlie Volderauer was elected as new chairman. He was the club's third chairman in their history, following Roland Geldner (1893–1896) and Schiess. FC Basel played their home games in the Landhof, in the Wettstein neighborhood of Kleinbasel (lesser Basel). The Swiss national championships had not yet been called to into life.


1896–97 FC Basel season, Overview
The idea of a Swiss national championship came to review with the Swiss Football Association, that had been founded the previous year and of which Basel and local rivals Old Boys were a member. But such a championship had not yet been called to into life.


1896–97 FC Basel season, Overview
The club chairman Charlie Volderauer was the team captain this season. For this season club organised seven friendly matches for their first team. Four of these matches were held in Basel, one in the Landhof, two on the Schützenmatte and from the fourth the place of playing field is uncertain. Basel played two games in Mulhouse. The first against Strassburger FV was lost 3–4 and the second against FC Mulhouse was lost 2–3. Five games were played in November/December and the other two in March and June. Of the seven games, two were won, two were draw and the team suffered three defeats. The team scored 16 and conceded nine goals.


1896–97 FC Basel season, Players
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


1896–97 FC Basel season, Sources
(NB: Despite all efforts, the editors of these books and the authors in "Basler Fussballarchiv" have failed to be able to identify all the players, their date and place of birth or date and place of death, who played in the games during the early years of FC Basel.)


1896–97 Football League
The 1896–97 season was the ninth season of The Football League.


1896–97 Football League, Final league tables
The tables below are reproduced here in the exact form that they can be found at the  website and in Rothmans Book of Football League Records 1888–89 to 1978–79, with home and away statistics separated.


1896–97 Football League, Final league tables
Beginning with the season 1894–95, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded), or more properly put, goal ratio. In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season.


1896–97 Football League, Final league tables
During the first five seasons of the league, that is until the season, 1893–94, re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league.


1896–97 Football League, Test Matches
The Football League test matches were a set of play-offs, in which the bottom First Division teams faced the top Second Division teams. Each First Division team plays both Second Division teams in a mini league format, the top two finishers would then be considered for election for First Division membership whilst the bottom two finishers would be invited to play in the Second Division.


1896–97 Football League, Test Matches
The First Division teams, if finishing in the top two, would retain their places in the division. If a Second Division team does so, it would be considered for First Division membership through an election process. Bottom-two Second Division teams would stay in the Second Division.


1896–97 Football League, Test Matches, Test match summary
Reference works, such Encyclopedia of British Football and Association Football, present the following table with the heading given above.


1896–97 Football League, Test Matches, Test match consequences
It is likely that the league decided on re-election to the First Division and on promotion and relegation on the basis of the summary table above.


1896–97 Football Tournament, Overview
It was contested by 5 teams, and Kjøbenhavns Boldklub won the championship.


1896–97 French Rugby Union Championship
The 1896–97 French Rugby Union Championship was won by Stade Français.


1896–97 French Rugby Union Championship
The title was assigned after a round-robin tournament played by six clubs (all from Paris) : le Stade Français, l'Union Athlétique du Premier, le Racing club de France, le Cosmopolitan Club, l'Union Sportive de l'Est et l'Olympique.


1896–97 French Rugby Union Championship, Classement final
Cosmopolitan declared forfeit for the matches against Stade Français et le Racing.


1896–97 Heart of Midlothian F.C. season
During the 1896–97 season Hearts competed in the Scottish First Division, the Scottish Cup and the East of Scotland Shield.


1896–97 Hibernian F.C. season
During the 1896–97 season Hibernian, a football club based in Edinburgh, finished second out of 10 clubs in the Scottish First Division.


1896–97 Hongkong Challenge Shield
1896–97 Hong Kong Challenge Shield is the inaugural season of Hong Kong Challenge Shield, the now existing oldest football tournament in Asia.


1896–97 Hongkong Challenge Shield, Fixtures and results, First round
The draw of first round was made on 4 December 1896.


1896–97 Hongkong Challenge Shield, Fixtures and results, Second round
The draw of second round was made on 11 January 1897.


1896–97 Hongkong Challenge Shield, Fixtures and results, Semi-finals
The draw of semi-finals was made on 1 March 1897.


1896–97 Hongkong Challenge Shield, Fixtures and results, Final
The match was scheduled playing on 20 March 1897, but later was postponed to 23 March 1897.


1896–97 Irish League
The Irish League in season 1896–97 comprised 6 teams, and Glentoran won the championship.


1896–97 Liverpool F.C. season
The 1896–97 season was the fifth season in Liverpool F.C. 's existence, and was their fourth year in The Football League, in which they competed in the first division. The season covers the period from 1 July 1896 to 30 June 1897.


1896–97 Liverpool F.C. season
Liverpool played their first ever game in red shirts and white shorts in a 2-1 away win against The Wednesday on 1 September 1896, this was also new manager Tom Watson's first game in charge.


1896–97 Liverpool F.C. season
Liverpool won the Bass Charity Vase after a 1-0 win against Burton Wanderers on 21 April.


1896–97 Manchester City F.C. season
The 1896–97 season was Manchester City F.C. 's sixth season of league football and fifth season in the Football League.


1896–97 National Association Foot Ball League season
Statistics of National Association Foot Ball League in season 1896–97.


1896–97 Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team
The 1896–97 Nebraska Cornhuskers men's basketball team represented the University of Nebraska during the 1896–97 collegiate men's basketball season. The head coach was Frank Lehmer, coaching the huskers in his first season. The team played their home games at Grant Memorial Hall in Lincoln, Nebraska.


1896–97 Netherlands Football League Championship
The Netherlands Football League Championship 1896–1897 was contested by seven teams from the cities Amsterdam, The Hague, Haarlem and Rotterdam. The teams participated in the competition that would later be called Eerste Klasse West. But since the western football district of the Netherlands was the only one to have a competition at the time, it could be regarded as a national championship. It was the last year that this was the case: next season would mark the first season of the Eerste Klasse East which meant that the national champion would be determined by play-off matches between the division winners. RAP won this year's championship.


1896–97 Newcastle United F.C. season
The 1896–97 season was Newcastle United's fourth season in the Football League Second Division.


1896–97 Newton Heath F.C. season
The 1896–97 season was Newton Heath's fifth season in the Football League and their third in the Second Division. They finished second in the league, which earned them a chance for promotion back to the First Division. United played two Test matches against each of the bottom two teams from the First Division, but although they beat Burnley at Bank Street, they were unable to overcome Sunderland and remained in the Second Division. In the FA Cup, the Heathens managed to reach the Third Round, before losing 2–0 to Derby County for the second year in a row.


1896–97 Newton Heath F.C. season
The club also entered teams in the Lancashire and Manchester Senior Cups in 1896–97. They were knocked out of the Lancashire Cup in the second round, losing 2–1 away to Burnley. In the Manchester Cup, they received a bye to the third round, where they beat Manchester City, before losing 2–0 to Bury in the semi-finals.


1896–97 Northern Football League
The 1896–97 Northern Football League season was the eighth in the history of the Northern Football League, a football competition in Northern England.


1896–97 Northern Football League, Clubs
The league featured 7 clubs which competed in the last season, along with three new clubs:


1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season
The 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season was the second ever season of rugby league football. Following the success of the Northern Union's first season, several more clubs from the established Rugby Football Union joined the rebel competition. This resulted in the decision that for the 1896–97 season the competition should be split into two separate county championships: Lancashire and Yorkshire. This season also saw the introduction of the Challenge Cup, with Batley defeating St Helens in the inaugural final.


1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season, Season summary
Eight new teams joined the twenty-two teams already in the breakaway Northern Union, and so it was split into two county leagues for the 1896–97 season. The new teams were Bramley, Castleford, Heckmondwike, Holbeck, Leeds Parish Church, Morecambe, Swinton and Salford. Salford's first game was a 10-0 defeat away to Widnes on 5 September 1896.


1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season, Season summary
Mr J.E. Warren of the Warrington club was elected as the new President of the Northern Union. Warren, previously Warrington's secretary, had played a key role in Warrington's involvement in the foundation of the Northern Union.


1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season, Season summary
The leading try scorer overall this season was Hannah of Hunslet, who crossed the line 19 times. The leading goal kickers were Albert Goldthorpe of Hunslet and Sharpe of Liversedge who both successful 26 times. The leading points scorer was Archie Rigg of Halifax with 112 points.


1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season, Lancashire Senior Competition
After finishing second from the bottom of the competition in the previous season, Broughton Rangers made a remarkable turnaround to finish the 1896–97 competition at the top of the Lancashire division, just one competition point ahead of Oldham, who had won more matches and had a better points differential. Although participating in the Lancashire Senior Competition, Runcorn and Stockport were from Cheshire.


1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season, Lancashire Senior Competition
Source: . League points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0. Pld = Games played; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; PF = Match points scored; PA = Match points conceded; PD = Points difference; Pts = League points.


1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season, Yorkshire Senior Competition
The previous season's champions, Manningham continued their good form in the Northern Union's second season, finishing in second place. However Brighouse took the Yorkshire championship with one win more than Manningham.


1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season, Yorkshire Senior Competition
Source: . League points: for win = 2; for draw = 1; for loss = 0. Pld = Games played; W = Wins; D = Draws; L = Losses; PF = Match points scored; PA = Match points conceded; PD = Points difference; Pts = League points.


1896–97 Ottawa Hockey Club season
The 1896–97 Ottawa Hockey Club season was the club's 12th season of play. Ottawa placed second in the league.


1896–97 Ottawa Hockey Club season, Season, Highlights
Fred Chittick was the league's leading goaltender, only allowing 2.3 goals per game. Former captains Chauncy Kirby and Herbert Russell retired from the team.


1896–97 Ottawa Hockey Club season, Season, Highlights
The Ottawa club moved to the new Dey's Skating Rink. In the first game in the new rink, it was inaugurated with the Governor General, the Earl of Aberdeen and his wife, the Countess of Aberdeen in attendance.


1896–97 Ottawa Hockey Club season, Schedule and results
† Protested by Ottawa who scored the tying goal in last few seconds but the goal was disallowed by the referee. The protest was upheld and the game replayed.


1896–97 Penn Quakers men's basketball team
The 1896–97 Penn Quakers men's basketball team represented University of Pennsylvania during the 1896–97 collegiate men's basketball season. The Quakers finished the season with an overall record of 2–4.


1896–97 Penn Quakers men's ice hockey season
The 1896–97 Penn Quakers men's ice hockey season was the inaugural season of play for the program.


1896–97 Penn Quakers men's ice hockey season, Season
After seeing Yale and Johns Hopkins play the first intercollegiate game the year before, George Orton a graduate student from Canada, organized the first ice hockey team for Pennsylvania University. The Quakers won their first game against Columbia with William Agnew recording the first hat-trick in program history.


1896–97 Penn Quakers men's ice hockey season, Season
Pennsylvania's season was hampered by a lack of local facilities, something that Orton would fix the following year when he helped build the first indoor rink in the Philadelphia area, the West Park Ice Palace.


1896–97 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team
The 1896–1897 Penn State Nittany Lions basketball team represented Penn State University during the 1896–97 college men's basketball season.


1896–97 Rangers F.C. season
The 1896–97 season is the 23rd season of competitive football by Rangers.


1896–97 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
Rangers played a total of 22 competitive matches during the 1896–97 season. They finished third in the Scottish League Division One with a record of 11 wins from 18 matches.


1896–97 Rangers F.C. season, Overview
The club won the Scottish Cup that season. A 5–1 victory of Dumbarton on 20 March 1897 saw them win the trophy for only the second time in the club's history.


1896–97 Rugby Union County Championship
The 1896–97 Rugby Union County Championship was the ninth edition of England's premier rugby union club competition at the time.


1896–97 Rugby Union County Championship
Kent won the competition for the first time defeating Cumberland in the final. The Championship was subject to criticism regarding the lack of interest shown by some counties.


1896–97 Scottish Cup
The 1896–97 Scottish Cup was the 24th season of Scotland's most prestigious football knockout competition. The Cup was won by Rangers when they beat Dumbarton 5-1 in the final.


1896–97 Scottish Districts season
The 1896–97 Scottish Districts season is a record of all the rugby union matches for Scotland's district teams.


1896–97 Scottish Division One
The 1896–97 Scottish Division One season was won by Heart of Midlothian, two points ahead of nearest rival Hibernian.


1896–97 Scottish Division Two
The 1896–97 Scottish Second Division was won by Partick Thistle with Dumbarton finishing bottom.


1896–97 Scottish Football League, Overview
Partick Thistle won the Scottish Division Two. Both Linthouse and Port Glasgow Athletic had four points deducted.


1896–97 Sheffield Shield season
The 1896–97 Sheffield Shield season was the fifth season of the Sheffield Shield, the domestic first-class cricket competition of Australia. New South Wales won the championship.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season
The 1896–97 season was the 16th season of competitive association football and 5th season in the Football League played by Small Heath F.C., an English football club based in Birmingham. In 1895–96, Small Heath finished in 15th position in the 16-team First Division and were relegated via the test match system. In 1896–97, they finished 4th in the Second Division.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season
Small Heath entered the 1896–97 FA Cup at the first round (round of 32) and lost in that round for the fifth consecutive year, this time to Notts County. In local competitions, they were eliminated in the semi-final of the Birmingham Senior Cup and the first round of the Staffordshire Senior Cup, on each occasion beaten by Wolverhampton Wanderers.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season
Twenty-three different players represented the club in nationally organised competitive matches during the season and there were 12 different goalscorers. Alex Leake appeared in every match, and the top scorer was Jimmy Inglis with 16 goals. The highest attendance was around 7,500, significantly down on the previous season.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Background
The Nottinghamshire Guardian suggested Small Heath would "have to greatly improve their present team if they are to make a very prominent display even in [the second] division next season." Billy Ollis, last season's captain, moved on to Hereford Thistle of the Birmingham & District League, Jack Oliver returned to non-League football in his native north-east, Harry Haynes joined Southern League club Southampton St Mary's, Ted Devey left for Burton Wanderers, and Adam Fraser returned to Scotland, but the major loss was that of Fred Wheldon.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Background
Wheldon scored 116 goals from 175 matches in league and FA Cup for Small Heath, and the only match he missed in six seasons was when his sister died on the morning of the game. He joined League champions Aston Villa for a fee which, after much speculation, was confirmed at Small Heath's Annual General Meeting as £350 guaranteed, plus the proceeds of a match to be played between the two clubs. The £350 fee was reported to be a transfer record.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, September–October
Small Heath prepared for the new season with a friendly match at Aston Villa in connection with Fred Wheldon's transfer. Wheldon scored twice as Villa won 3–1, Small Heath's goal coming from Walter Abbott. Because the kickoff was delayed until six o'clock, the match ended in near darkness. The League season began with a spirited performance at home to Newcastle United on a rain-soaked pitch.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, September–October
First-half goals from Alex Leake, Jimmy Inglis with a header from Tom Farnall's free kick, and Jack Jones gave Small Heath a 3–1 victory, prompting the press to predict a finish in the test match positions. In the return fixture, Newcastle led 3–2 at half time – three goals for Richard Smellie against Jones's two – but were reduced to ten men, William Graham having broken his arm. Inglis tied the scores in the second half but the home team scored a late winner. Two days later, Small Heath enjoyed a comfortable home win against Darwen in an early-evening match. Inglis opened the scoring with a header, then in the second half, a disputed goal was allowed, and a fine shot from Billy Walton and two goals from William Robertson made the final score 5–1.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, September–October
In a poor game, Small Heath suffered an unexpected defeat at home to Lincoln City. The Leicester Chronicle suggested that "if the Heathens have any pretentions towards regaining their position in the First Division, as we believe is their ambition, they will have to show form vastly different from last Saturday." An Inglis header gave his team a first-half lead on a slippery surface at Burton Swifts, and both sides wasted chances before Swifts equalised with ten minutes left.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, September–October
A 2–1 defeat at home to Burton Swifts preceded a visit to league leaders Newton Heath and reunion with former captain Caesar Jenkyns. The home side had the better of the first half, in torrential rain following a thunderstorm just before kickoff, but the closest they came to scoring was when Smith hit the bar. In the second half, Newton Heath scored from a scrimmage, but Jones equalised for Small Heath after the forwards rushed downfield. Playing with the benefit of the slope, Walsall took the lead twice in the Staffordshire Cup, but on change of ends, Small Heath equalised, and scored twice more in extra time to progress to the next round.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, September–October
In mid-October, former England international forward Dennis Hodgetts joined from Aston Villa. The Dundee Courier & Argus assessed the player thus:


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, September–October
Aston Villa have so many clever forwards that they afford to dispense with a man like Hodgetts, who is now naturally slow, and disinclined to work. But his judgment and coaching powers should render him a useful recruit for the other Birmingham club ... Hodgetts is the one historic forward England has produced. As an inside left it is doubtful if he ever had an equal; certainly he never had a superior. He was one of the most artistic dribblers and dodgers ever seen, and his unselfishness was proverbial.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, September–October
He made his debut on a dull, damp day at home to Gainsborough Trinity. Small Heath took a two-goal lead through Inglis and Leake, the visitors brought the scores level before half time, and with 15 minutes left, Trinity's John Scott was sent off for striking Jack Jones. When the matter came before the County Association, the player received a suspension of one week – the minimum punishment permissible – because of his 17 years unblemished conduct and having acted under "great provocation, Jones having kicked him off his legs and he 'only cleaned one hand on him'."


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, September–October
Small Heath were overwhelmed by four goals to nil by Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Staffordshire Cup. Perhaps fortunate to find Walsall without their first-choice goalkeeper and three forwards, Small Heath won 6–1 away from home, with two goals from Inglis and Walton and one apiece from Jones and Charles Izon. Despite the convincing nature of their victory, the Leicester Chronicle thought it was probably too late for the team to reach the test match positions. John Logan, late of Partick Thistle, made his debut in a 1–0 defeat at home to Grimsby Town which proved his only appearance in the English leagues.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, November–December
Having no competitive fixture scheduled during the early part of November, Small Heath played Wolverhampton Wanderers in a friendly as part of a day of musical and sporting entertainments at the Crystal Palace grounds. On a raw day, only 500 spectators watched Small Heath's 2–0 victory which failed to entertain the Penny Illustrated Paper:


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, November–December
That the paid player is wanting in keenness when the match is "friendly", i.e. not associated with League or Cup competition, has very nearly, if not quite, become proverbial. Small Heath and Wolverhampton Wanderers gave an exhibition at the Crystal Palace which could not be calculated to impress visitors favourably.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, November–December
Back in the League, Woolwich Arsenal took an early lead at Coventry Road but were 4–1 down by half time, Hodgetts scoring twice and Walton and Robertson once each. In the second half James Brock pulled one back for the visitors, but Charlie Hare, on his debut after joining from the Arsenal a few days before, made the final score 5–2. The visit to Darwen produced a 2–0 defeat which could have been heavier had the home club not had two second-half goals disallowed.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, November–December
According to the Leicester Chronicle, "the match between Newton Heath and Small Heath, as usual, when these teams meet, was not a very scientific one, the players on both sides being too prone to play the man instead of the ball." Jimmy Inglis had to leave the field "badly winded", and Hare had several shots from distance, but the only goal was scored by Jones after five minutes.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, November–December
A friendly arranged at short notice at Millwall Athletic attracted few spectators, "the poor form displayed recently by Small Heath causing the fixture to possess but little interest"; Millwall won 9–1. Back in the league, a fine attacking display gave Grimsby Town a 2–0 half-time lead; on change of ends, playing against the wind, Small Heath's performance improved, and Hare scored on the break ten minutes from time, but they were unable to equalise. In the first round of the Birmingham Cup, an own goal earned Small Heath a draw at Burton Swifts.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, November–December
The losing run in the League continued with a "sorry show" at Loughborough. The home side's long-ball style effectively disrupted Small Heath's preference for close passing, and the game finished 2–0. At home to Walsall, whom they had beaten 6–1 in the previous meeting, Small Heath had much the better of the first half, with goals from Charlie Izon and Denny Hodgetts, but the visitors equalised after a goalkeeping error, and the final score was 3–3, Walsall being "unlucky in not winning".


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, November–December
December ended with two friendly matches. On Boxing Day, the visitors, Scottish League leaders Hibernians, began the match "in brilliant style", and although the heavy pitch initially inhibited their shooting, they came out winners by five goals to two. A crowd of 4,000 attended a benefit match for Aston Villa full-back Jim Elliott, who had been "incapacitated by illness". Elliott died less than three years later, at the age of 29. After a series of poor results, attendances had dwindled. The Owl's correspondent approved of the selection of Hare at centre-forward, but suggested that until the club signed "two or three good men" to play in defensive positions, the team's decline would continue.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, January–February
Small Heath suffered a predictable defeat at Hyde Road against Manchester City on New Year's Day. Poor goalkeeping by Ernest Pointer allowed James Sharples to open the scoring, though both goalkeepers made good saves to restrict the first-half score to that one goal. After the interval, City increased their lead first from a scrimmage, and again from a free kick. After the recent defeats, the committee made several changes for the following day's visit to Gainsborough Trinity.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, January–February
Jimmy Inglis, reported to have been "content to take matters too easily of late", was omitted, Billy Walton moved from the half-back line to his former position of inside right, and Tom Farnall returned at half-back. Gainsborough fielded former Small Heath players Bernard Pumfrey and Tom Bayley. Although the visitors fell behind early in the game, goals from Walton and Denny Hodgetts gave the visitors a half-time lead, which was extended to 3–1 by the close.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, January–February
A friendly visit to New Brompton in Kent produced a 4–1 defeat, followed on the Monday by Billy Walton's benefit match against Aston Villa. Unfortunately for the beneficiary, who had served the club for eight years and was "generally admitted to be the most consistent player the club possesses", fears that the attendance would be a low one were realised. The Dart's "What We Hear" column suggested that the match raised only £30, "that he deserved far more, and it is a pity that the committee do not see their way to make it up to a respectable sum".


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, January–February
Without a fixture for the following Saturday, Small Heath attempted to arrange another friendly in the south of England, but after their previous performances in such matches, no potential opponent were prepared to offer a sufficient financial guarantee for them to agree to travel. Perhaps the free weekend motivated the players, for in wintry weather they won the replayed Birmingham Cup-tie against Burton Swifts by seven goals to one.


1896–97 Small Heath F.C. season, Review, January–February
A gale damaged the roof of the grandstand at the Coventry Road ground; fortunately, the next day's match was away, at Blackpool, and the damage was repaired before Small Heath played at home again. Blackpool took the lead after only five minutes, but their cause was hindered soon afterwards when they lost Harry Stirzaker to a head injury early in the game, and Tom Oakes scored twice as Small Heath exploited their numerical advantage to win 3–1. January ended with the first-round FA Cup tie played in heavy sleet at home to against Second Division leaders Notts County.