During the 1995–96 FA Premier League season, English club Newcastle United participated in the Premier League, finishing in second place.
| 1995–96 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Sir John Hall | ||
| Manager | Kevin Keegan | ||
| Stadium | St James' Park | ||
| Premier League | 2nd | ||
| FA Cup | Third round | ||
| League Cup | Quarter-finals | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Les Ferdinand (25) All: Les Ferdinand (29) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 36,589 (vs. Tottenham Hotspur) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 36,225 (vs. Chelsea) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 36,506 | ||
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| |||
Season summary edit
The 1995–96 season saw Sir John Hall's millions allow Newcastle to invest heavily in players from across the world. With a total of some £16 million spent on the signings of Les Ferdinand, David Ginola, Warren Barton and Shaka Hislop before the start of the season, Kevin Keegan's team made a strong start. Colombian striker Faustino Asprilla and England midfielder David Batty were also attracted to the north-east in February 1996 for a combined total of around £11 million.
An explosive start to the season saw Newcastle storm to the top of the Premier League table. Newcastle led the league for virtually all of the season from August until mid-March, and by Christmas had established a 10-point lead over Manchester United. Though they lost 2–0 at Old Trafford on 27 December, they still managed to extend this lead to 12 points on 20 January 1996, putting them in prime position for the title with 15 matches remaining. However, Manchester United – bolstered by the return of Eric Cantona from suspension – then enjoyed a surge in form. Despite an emphatic 2–1 win at Middlesbrough largely inspired by debutant Faustino Asprilla, Newcastle lost five of their next eight.[1] Newcastle dropped vital points away to West Ham and Manchester City, whilst a 1–0 win for Alex Ferguson's team at St James' Park on 4 March ended Newcastle's 100% home record in the league and cut their lead to a single point, and further away defeats at Arsenal, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers allowed Manchester United to overtake them and establish a lead that would ultimately prove decisive.
Ferguson's mind games added further heat to the title race and provoked an infamous rant from Keegan live on Sky Sports on 29 April 1996,[2] following his team's 1–0 win at Leeds United. A 1–1 draw at Nottingham Forest three days later left Newcastle needing to beat Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United needing to lose against Middlesbrough, if the title was to return to Tyneside for the first time since 1927. In the end, a 1–1 draw proved academic as Manchester United beat the Teessiders 3–0, thus winning by four points. Newcastle's second place finish was nonetheless their highest finish for 69 years.[3]
Analysis edit
The contest between Newcastle United and Manchester United for the Premier League title in the 1995–96 season has been described by Total Football magazine as "an absolute classic".[4] In 2012, the season was one of six nominees for the Premier League 20 Seasons Award for the best Premier League season ever.[5]
The 4-3 loss to Liverpool was voted the greatest game of the first decade of the Premier League at the Premier League 10 Seasons Awards,[6] attributing to the jubilant celebrations at Anfield whilst Keegan slumped over the advertising hoardings in distress.[7]
Newcastle's collapse in the Premier League title race has been the subject of continuous debate.[8][9] Newcastle's performance has been described by Graham Lister of Goal.com as having "entered football folklore as the Premier League's ultimate Devon Loch moment."[10] Rob Lee claimed that the failure to capture the title was due to falling player confidence,[11] whilst Ian Cusack believed that the return of Eric Cantona was the major difference, stating "Newcastle United had, player for player, the best team in the Premiership, but didn't have the best player."[12] Mark Lawrenson said the general consensus was Keegan's attacking philosophy having been instrumental in costing Newcastle the title, stating "I really think they should have won the league in the 1995–96 season...Kevin could have done it if he'd altered the system very, very slightly. But he didn't want to betray his principles...I think Kevin wanted it free-flowing in all departments and that doesn't necessarily happen."[1][13]
Final league table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United (C) | 38 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 73 | 35 | +38 | 82 | Qualification for the Champions League group stage |
| 2 | Newcastle United | 38 | 24 | 6 | 8 | 66 | 37 | +29 | 78 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 3 | Liverpool | 38 | 20 | 11 | 7 | 70 | 34 | +36 | 71 | Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[a] |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 38 | 18 | 9 | 11 | 52 | 35 | +17 | 63 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 5 | Arsenal | 38 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 49 | 32 | +17 | 63 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
- ^ Liverpool qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as FA Cup runners-up, as winners Manchester United already qualified for the Champions League. They defaulted their UEFA Cup spot from league position to Arsenal.
Results by round edit
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss; = Leader, 1996-97 UEFA Champions League; = 1996-97 UEFA Cup; = 1996–97 Football League
Kit edit
Newcastle United's kit was manufactured by the company Adidas and sponsored by Tyneside-based brewery Newcastle Brown Ale.
Players edit
First-team squad edit
- Squad at end of season[14]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Left club during season edit
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserves edit
- The following players did not appear for the first-team this season.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Appearances, goals and cards edit
- Starts + substitute appearances)
| No. | Pos. | Name | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Total | Discipline | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | 
|
| |||
| 15 | GK |  Shaka Hislop
|
24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF |  Warren Barton
|
30+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 37+1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Darren Peacock
|
33+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 40+1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | Steve Howey
|
28 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | John Beresford
|
32+1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 35+1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 18 | MF |  Keith Gillespie
|
26+2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 30+2 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | Lee Clark
|
22+6 | 2 | 1+1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 26+7 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Rob Lee
|
36 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | MF |  David Ginola
|
34 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 40 | 5 | 6 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Peter Beardsley
|
35 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 40 | 11 | 6 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Les Ferdinand
|
37 | 25 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 44 | 29 | 4 | 0 |
| 1 | GK |  Pavel Srníček
|
14+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 17+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | DF |  Philippe Albert
|
19+4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2+1 | 1 | 23+5 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| 19 | DF | Steve Watson
|
15+8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3+1 | 1 | 19+9 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | FW |  Faustino Asprilla
|
11+3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11+3 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | David Batty
|
11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 26 | DF | Robbie Elliott
|
5+1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8+2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 28 | FW | Paul Kitson
|
2+5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4+5 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Scott Sellars
|
2+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4+4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | MF |  Ruel Fox
|
2+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | DF |  Marc Hottiger
|
0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | FW | Darren Huckerby
|
0+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF |  Jimmy Crawford
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | MF | Chris Holland
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | FW | Paul Brayson
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Coaching staff edit
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager | Kevin Keegan
|
| Assistant Manager | Terry McDermott
|
| First Team Coach | Arthur Cox
|
| First Team Coach | Chris McMenemy
|
Source: [citation needed]
Matches edit
Pre-season edit
| 22 July 1995 | Hartlepool United | 0–4 | Newcastle United | Hartlepool |
Allen  22', 45'Kitson 57'Brayson 70' |
Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 5,300 |
| 26 July 1995 | Rushden & Diamonds | 1–3 | Newcastle United | Irthlingborough |
| Watkins 87' |
Ferdinand 26', 59' Brayson 70' |
Stadium: Nene Park Attendance: 4,600 |
| 5 August 1995 | Celtic | 1–1 | Newcastle United | Glasgow |
| Collins 29' (pen.) |
Ferdinand 56' |
Stadium: Celtic Park Attendance: 31,000 |
| 7 August 1995 | Gateshead | 0–4 | Newcastle United | Gateshead |
| Ferdinand 4', 13' Beardsley 16' (pen)Gillespie 90' |
Stadium: Gateshead International Stadium |
| 9 August 1995 | Heart of Midlothian | 0–1 | Newcastle United | Edinburgh |
| Beardsley 65' |
Stadium: Tynecastle Stadium Attendance: 13,337 |
| 12 August 1995 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0–2 | Newcastle United | London |
| Sellars 45' Ferdinand 70' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 17,288 |
Premier League edit
| 19 August 1995 | Newcastle United | 3–0 | Coventry City | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 16:00 | Lee 7' Beardsley 82' (pen.)Ferdinand 83' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,485 Referee: Roger Dilkes |
| 22 August 1995 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–3 | Newcastle United | Bolton |
| 16:00 | Bergsson 51' |
Ferdinand 17', 84' Lee 77' |
Stadium: Burnden Park Attendance: 20,243 |
| 27 August 1995 | Sheffield Wednesday | 0–2 | Newcastle United | Sheffield |
| 16:00 | Ginola 53' Beardsley 75' |
Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium Attendance: 24,815 Referee: Paul Alcock |
| 30 August 1995 | Newcastle United | 1–0 | Middlesbrough | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Ferdinand 67' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,500 Referee: R. Hart |
| 9 September 1995 | Southampton | 1–0 | Newcastle United | Southampton |
| Magilton 65' |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 15,237 Referee: G. Ashby |
| 16 September 1995 | Newcastle United | 3–1 | Manchester City | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Beardsley 18' (pen.) Ferdinand 38', 59' |
Creaney 81' Edghill   |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,501 Referee: Jeff Winter |
| 24 September 1995 | Newcastle United | 2–0 | Chelsea | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Ferdinand 41', 57' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,225 Referee: Peter Jones |
| 1 October 1995 | Everton | 1–3 | Newcastle United | Liverpool |
| Limpar 81' |
Ferdinand 11' Lee 59' (pen.)Kitson 65' |
Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 33,080 Referee: Keith Cooper |
| 14 October 1995 | Queens Park Rangers | 2–3 | Newcastle United | London |
| Dichio 45', 71' |
Gillespie 46', 71' Ferdinand 65' |
Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 18,254 Referee: Paul Durkin |
| 21 October 1995 | Newcastle United | 6–1 | Wimbledon | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Howey 31' Ferdinand 35', 40', 63'Clark 59'Albert 84' |
Gayle 60' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,434 Referee: Graham Poll |
| 29 October 1995 | Tottenham Hotspur | 1–1 | Newcastle United | London |
| Armstrong 21' |
Ginola 47' |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 32,279 Referee: Martin Bodenham |
| 4 November 1995 | Newcastle United | 2–1 | Liverpool | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Ferdinand 3' Watson 89' |
Rush 11' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,547 Referee: Mike Reed |
| 8 November 1995 | Newcastle United | 1–0 | Blackburn Rovers | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Lee 13' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,473 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 18 November 1995 | Aston Villa | 1–1 | Newcastle United | Birmingham |
| Johnson 22' |
Ferdinand 58' |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 39,167 Referee: Stephen Lodge |
| 25 November 1995 | Newcastle United | 2–1 | Leeds United | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Lee 70' Beardsley 72' |
Deane 31' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,572 Referee: Steve Dunn |
| 3 December 1995 | Wimbledon | 3–3 | Newcastle United | London |
| Holdsworth 18', 65' Ekoku 21' |
Ferdinand 9', 29' Cunningham 35' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 18,002 Referee: G. Ashby |
| 9 December 1995 | Chelsea | 1–0 | Newcastle United | London |
| Petrescu 25' |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 31,098 Referee: Roger Dilkes |
| 16 December 1995 | Newcastle United | 1–0 | Everton | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Ferdinand 17' Beresford 32' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,557 Referee: Paul Durkin |
| 23 December 1995 | Newcastle United | 3–1 | Nottingham Forest | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Lee 11', 74' Ginola 25' |
Report | Woan 11' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,531 Referee: David Elleray |
| 27 December 1995 | Manchester United | 2–0 | Newcastle United | Manchester |
| Cole 6' Keane 53' |
Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 42,024 Referee: Paul Alcock |
| 2 January 1996 | Newcastle United | 2–0 | Arsenal | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Ginola 1' Ferdinand 47' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,530 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 14 January 1996 | Coventry City | 0–1 | Newcastle United | Coventry |
| Watson 44' |
Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 20,547 |
| 20 January 1996 | Newcastle United | 2–1 | Bolton Wanderers | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Kitson 9' Beardsley 37' |
Bergsson 19' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,530 Referee: Keith Cooper |
| 3 February 1996 | Newcastle United | 2–0 | Sheffield Wednesday | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Ferdinand 54' Clark 90' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,567 Referee: Paul Danson |
| 10 February 1996 | Middlesbrough | 1–2 | Newcastle United | Middlesbrough |
| Beresford 37' (o.g.) |
Watson 74' Ferdinand 78' |
Stadium: Riverside Stadium Attendance: 30,011 Referee: Steve Dunn |
| 21 February 1996 | West Ham United | 2–0 | Newcastle United | London |
| Cottee 7' Williamson 82' |
Stadium: Boleyn Ground Attendance: 23,843 Referee: Paul Alcock |
| 24 February 1996 | Manchester City | 3–3 | Newcastle United | Manchester |
| N. Quinn 16' A. Quinn 62'Rösler 77' |
Albert 44', 81' Asprilla 71' |
Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 31,115 Referee: Martin Bodenham |
| 4 March 1996 | Newcastle United | 0–1 | Manchester United | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Cantona 51' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,584 Referee: David Elleray |
| 18 March 1996 | Newcastle United | 3–0 | West Ham United | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Albert 21' Asprilla 55'Ferdinand 65' |
Potts 90' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,331 Referee: Stephen Lodge |
| 23 March 1996 | Arsenal | 2–0 | Newcastle United | London |
| Marshall 3' Wright 17' |
Stadium: Arsenal Stadium Attendance: 38,271 Referee: Paul Durkin |
| 3 April 1996 | Liverpool | 4–3 | Newcastle United | Liverpool |
| Fowler 2', 55' Collymore 68', 90' |
Ferdinand 10' Ginola 14'Asprilla 57' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 40,702 Referee: Mike Reed |
| 6 April 1996 | Newcastle United | 2–1 | Queens Park Rangers | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Beardsley 77', 81' |
Holloway 53' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,583 Referee: Paul Danson |
| 8 April 1996 | Blackburn Rovers | 2–1 | Newcastle United | Blackburn |
| Fenton 86', 89' |
Batty 76' |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 30,717 Referee: Gary Willard |
| 14 April 1996 | Newcastle United | 1–0 | Aston Villa | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Ferdinand 64' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,510 Referee: Martin Bodenham |
| 17 April 1996 | Newcastle United | 1–0 | Southampton | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Lee 10' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,554 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
| 29 April 1996 | Leeds United | 0–1 | Newcastle United | Leeds |
| Gillespie 18' |
Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 38,862 |
| 2 May 1996 | Nottingham Forest | 1–1 | Newcastle United | Nottingham |
| Woan 75' |
Beardsley 32' |
Stadium: City Ground Attendance: 28,280 |
| 5 May 1996 | Newcastle United | 1–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Ferdinand 71' |
Dozzell 57' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,589 Referee: Dermot Gallagher |
FA Cup edit
| 7 January 1996 Round 3 | Chelsea | 1–1 | Newcastle United | London |
| Hughes 35' |
Ferdinand 90' |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 25,151 |
| 17 January 1996 Round 3r | Newcastle United | 2 – 2 (a.e.t.) (2–4 p) | Chelsea | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Albert 42' Beardsley 64' (pen.) |
Wise 62' (pen.) Gullit 89' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,535 | ||
| Penalties | ||||
Beardsley  Watson Beresford  Albert |
Lee Wise Peacock Newton |
|||
League Cup edit
| 19 September 1995 Round 2 1st leg | Bristol City | 0–5 | Newcastle United | Bristol |
| Peacock 8' Sellars 22'Ferdinand 30'Gillespie 46'Lee 85' |
Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 15,592 |
| 4 October 1995 Round 2 2nd leg | Newcastle United | 3–1 | Bristol City | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Barton 48' Albert 55'Ferdinand 65' |
Agostino ?' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 36,357 |
| 25 October 1995 Round 3 | Stoke City | 0–4 | Newcastle United | Stoke-on-Trent |
| Beardsley 30', 39' Ferdinand 53'Peacock 73' |
Stadium: Victoria Ground Attendance: 23,000 |
| 29 November 1995 Round 4 | Liverpool | 0–1 | Newcastle United | Liverpool |
| Watson 77' |
Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 40,077 |
External links edit
Notes edit
- ^ Due to Wimbledon lacking a home stadium, they played their home games at Selhurst Park, which is the home stadium of Crystal Palace.
References edit
- ^ a b Adams, Tony (31 March 2011). "Newcastle's Entertainers fall at Anfield". ESPN. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ Kelly, Ryan (29 April 2020). "Kevin Keegan's 'I will love it' rant: What outburst was about & full transcript". Goal.com. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
- ^ Morton, David (30 April 2017). "How Newcastle United clinched their last league title - 90 years ago today". The Chronicle. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
- ^ Wright, Simon (2013). "Premier League flashback - 1995-96 review: King Eric's one man crusade to the championship". Total Football. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Premier League 20 seasons awards – best season". Premier League. 16 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "Premier League 20 seasons awards – best season". Premier League. 16 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ Glenn, Moore (5 April 1996). "Keegan's philosophy faces reality test". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ^ Delaney, Miguel (28 March 2020). "Keegan, Ferguson, Cantona and a collapse: The inside story of the 1995/96 title race". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
- ^ Hardy, Martin (24 September 2015). "Newcastle United a far cry from Kevin Keegan's 1995 entertainers, 20 years on". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
- ^ Lister, Graham (30 March 2012). "Manchester United in 1992, Newcastle in 1996 & the great title-challenge collapses Manchester City will be desperate not to emulate". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2012. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ Smallwood, Jimmy (20 March 2012). "Are Man City about to relive the Newcastle collapse of 1996?". BBC. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ Cusack, Ian (13 July 1996). "Imperfect Match – Newcastle Utd 1995-96". When Saturday Comes. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ Malam, Colin (20 January 2008). "Why Keegan's class of 96 blew a 12p-point lead". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
- ^ "FootballSquads - Newcastle United - 1995/96".