In the 1996–97 season, Bristol City finished in the play-off places but ended up losing to Brentford in the semi-finals. In December 1996, the Robins were involved in a Bristol derby against Bristol Rovers at Ashton Gate that was ruined by crowd violence where after the final whistle, the Bristol Rovers players were assaulted by City fans after Rovers fans spilled onto the pitch after Beadle's equaliser in injury-time. This led to the FA calling for evidence from the match officials and police officers and Bristol City were charged for failing to control the spectators.[1] [2] John Ward as manager.
Source:
[3] Rules for classification: In the Football League goals scored (GF) takes precedence over goal difference (GD).
Bristol City's score comes first [4]
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Scorers
17 August 1996
Gillingham A
2–3
7,217
Goater , Bent
24 August 1996
Blackpool H
0–1
9,387
27 August 1996
Luton Town H
5–0
7,028
Goodridge (2), Nugent , Goater , Cundy
31 August 1996
Bury A
0–4
4,160
7 September 1996
Preston North End H
2–1
8,016
Nugent (2)
10 September 1996
Shrewsbury Town A
0–1
2,502
14 September 1996
Rotherham United A
2–2
2,546
Owers (2)
21 September 1996
Walsall H
4–1
7,412
Goater (2), Hewlett , Goodridge
28 September 1996
Burnley A
3–2
9,538
Goater (2), Taylor
1 October 1996
Brentford H
1–2
9,520
Goodridge
5 October 1996
Chesterfield A
1–1
4,438
Owers
11 October 1996
York City H
2–0
9,308
Nugent , Goodridge
15 October 1996
Wycombe Wanderers H
3–0
7,325
Agostino , Barnard , Tinnion
19 October 1996
Plymouth Argyle A
0–0
9,645
26 October 1996
Notts County H
4–0
9,540
Goater (3), Agostino
29 October 1996
Bournemouth A
2–0
4,197
Barnard (pen), Agostino
2 November 1996
Stockport County A
1–1
6,654
Blackmore
9 November 1996
Millwall H
1–1
12,326
Barnard
23 November 1996
Peterborough United H
2–0
12,312
Goater , Goodridge
30 November 1996
Notts County A
0–2
4,693
3 December 1996
Watford H
1–1
9,097
Barnard (pen)
15 December 1996
Bristol Rovers H
1–1
18,674
Agostino
21 December 1996
Wrexham A
1–2
4,488
Hewlett
26 December 1996
Shrewsbury Town H
3–2
9,803
Agostino , Barnard (pen), Owers
28 December 1996
Preston North End A
2–0
10,905
Agostino , Goater
11 January 1997
Burnley H
2–1
10,013
Bent , Goater
18 January 1997
Brentford A
0–0
7,606
25 January 1997
Bournemouth H
0–1
10,434
1 February 1997
Millwall A
2–0
9,158
Goater (2, 1 pen)
7 February 1997
Stockport County H
1–1
13,186
Goater
15 February 1997
Peterborough United A
1–3
4,221
Barnard (pen)
22 February 1997
Crewe Alexandra H
3–0
11,306
Goater , Agostino , Westwood (own goal)
1 March 1997
Watford A
0–3
8,539
4 March 1997
Walsall A
0–2
4,322
16 March 1997
Bristol Rovers A
2–1
8,078
Agostino , Goater
18 March 1997
Rotherham United H
0–2
10,646
22 March 1997
Blackpool A
0–1
4,518
25 March 1997
Crewe Alexandra A
2–1
3,687
Bent , Goater
29 March 1997
Gillingham H
0–1
11,276
1 April 1997
Luton Town A
2–2
7,105
Goater , Agostino
5 April 1997
Bury H
1–0
10,274
Barnard
15 April 1997
Wrexham H
2–1
9,817
Barnard (pen), Goater
19 April 1997
York City A
3–0
3,344
Goater (2), Nugent
26 April 1997
Plymouth Argyle H
3–1
15,368
Barnard (2, 1 pen), Nugent
30 April 1997
Chesterfield H
2–0
16,195
Goater , Barnard (pen)
3 May 1997
Wycombe Wanderers A
0–2
7,240
Second Division play-offs
edit
Round
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Goalscorers
SF 1st Leg
11 May 1997
Brentford H
1–2
15,581
Owers
SF 2nd Leg
14 May 1997
Brentford A
1–2 (lost 2–4 on agg)
9,496
Barnard
Round
Date
Opponent
Venue
Result
Attendance
Goalscorers
SR2
21 January 1997
Swansea City A
1–0
5,600
SQF
11 February 1997
Watford A
1–2
3,142
[5] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules . Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
