The 1996–97 Northern Football League season was the 99th in the history of Northern Football League, a football competition in England.[1]
| Competition: | Northern Football League Division One |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Winners: | Whitby Town |
| Promoted: | Whitby Town |
| Relegated: | Chester-le-Street Town Whickham West Auckland Town |
| Matches: | 380 |
| Total Goals: | 1412 |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |
Division One featured 17 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with three new clubs, promoted from Division Two:
| Competition: | Northern Football League Division Two |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Winners: | Northallerton Town |
| Promoted: | Northallerton Town Billingham Town Jarrow Roofing BCA |
| Relegated: | Ferryhill Athletic |
| Matches: | 342 |
| Total Goals: | 1246 |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |
Division Two featured 16 clubs which competed in the division last season, along with four new clubs.