Club Trivia

Under Brian Little, Villa were a solid top-half Premier League side in 1996–97. Won the League Cup in 1996 — their first major trophy since the 1982 European Cup. Dwight Yorke was emerging as one of the league's most exciting forwards.

Reigning Premier League champions (1994–95), Blackburn had a difficult title defence and finished 7th. The departure of Alan Shearer to Newcastle cast a long shadow over the 1996–97 campaign.

Under Ron Atkinson, Coventry survived in the Premier League through a combination of resilience and late drama — a recurring pattern at Highfield Road. The Sky Blues had won the FA Cup in 1987, their only major honour.

Joe Royle's Everton were FA Cup winners in 1995, beating Manchester United. In 1996–97 they finished mid-table with Duncan Ferguson as their talisman. The club had been one of the dominant forces of English football in the 1980s under Howard Kendall.

Howard Wilkinson's Leeds United were the last First Division champions before the Premier League era (1991–92). By 1996–97 they had declined from that peak; Tony Yeboah was the squad's standout attacker.

Newly promoted to the Premier League under Martin O'Neill, Leicester were considered relegation candidates. Steve Claridge's controversial last-minute goal in the 1996 First Division play-off final had secured their place in the top flight.

One of the founding members of the Football League, Wednesday had won the league title four times, most recently in 1930. In 1996–97 they were a steady mid-table Premier League side with David Pleat as manager.

Matt Le Tissier's club. The Saints' mercurial playmaker was so loyal to Southampton that he repeatedly turned down bigger clubs. Graeme Souness was manager in 1996–97; the club were 16th in the league, narrowly avoiding relegation.

Newly promoted under Peter Reid, Sunderland's 1996–97 campaign was their farewell to Roker Park before moving to the Stadium of Light. They were relegated at the end of the season, finishing bottom of the Premier League.

Gerry Francis managed Spurs in 1996–97, with Teddy Sheringham leading the attack. The club had won the FA Cup twice in the early 1990s but were struggling to keep pace with the league's elite. Finished 10th.

Harry Redknapp's West Ham were known for producing young English talent — Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard Jr were both coming through the academy. Finished 8th in 1996–97, their best position for several years.

The 'Crazy Gang' — FA Cup winners in 1988 — spent the entire 1996–97 season as tenants at Selhurst Park, sharing with Crystal Palace. Despite finishing 8th in the Premier League, the club had no stadium of their own and regularly attracted fewer than 10,000 fans.

Newly promoted to the Premier League in 1996 under Jim Smith, Derby played their final season at the historic Baseball Ground before moving to the purpose-built Pride Park in 1997. Finished a respectable 12th in their first top-flight season for eight years.

Had a tumultuous 1996–97 season — deducted three points for failing to fulfil a fixture at Blackburn due to illness (a decision widely regarded as harsh), ultimately contributing to their relegation despite reaching both the League Cup and FA Cup finals.

Finished runner-up in 1995–96 having led the league by 12 points at one stage. In summer 1996 Kevin Keegan resigned, Les Ferdinand was sold, and Alan Shearer arrived for a world-record fee. Finished second again in 1996–97 under Kenny Dalglish.

Arsenal appointed Arsène Wenger as manager in September 1996, after the season had started under Bruce Rioch. Wenger's arrival would transform the club, the league, and English football. The Frenchman introduced continental methods, diet, and a new philosophy.

Under player-manager Ruud Gullit, Chelsea were becoming a cosmopolitan force with Italian, Dutch and French internationals. Won the FA Cup in 1997 — their first major trophy since 1971.

Reigning double-winners, Manchester United dominated the era under Sir Alex Ferguson. Eric Cantona retired unexpectedly in May 1997, but United still claimed the league title.

The Welsh club in the English Football League. Best remembered for their 1992 FA Cup upset of Arsenal, Wrexham played in the lower leagues throughout this period.

Under Roy Evans, Liverpool were stylish but inconsistent. The 'Spice Boys' tag — partly referring to their cream FA Cup final suits — haunted a squad that underachieved relative to its talent.

European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980 under Brian Clough. In 1996–97 they were relegated from the Premier League, though the club retained many talented players.

Porto's city rivals, playing at the compact Estádio do Bessa. Would go on to claim a remarkable Portuguese championship in 2000–01 under João Vale e Azevedo.

European Champions in 1995, Ajax's star-studded squad began to break up as players departed for Italy and Spain. Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf, Marc Overmars and Edgar Davids all left in this era.

Bundesliga champions and on the brink of Champions League glory — they would beat Juventus in the 1997 Champions League Final, with Karl-Heinz Riedle scoring twice.

Italian champions with a formidable squad including Zidane, Del Piero, Vieri and the Frenchmen Deschamps, Thuram (at Parma), and Vieira (by now at Arsenal). Won the Champions League in 1996.

Johan Cruyff's long managerial reign had just ended (1996) and Bobby Robson was appointed. Despite the transition, Barcelona's squad included Ronaldo, Figo, and Giovanni van Bronckhorst.

Under Fabio Capello, Real Madrid won La Liga in 1996–97 but were still building towards the Galácticos era. The squad included Roberto Carlos, Seedorf, Raúl and Míchel.

Norway's dominant club force. Regularly reached the Champions League group stage, famously beating AC Milan 2–1 in the 1996–97 edition.