| Club: | Shrewsbury Town |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Manager: | Fred Davies |
| Chairman: | Roland Wycherley |
| Stadium: | Gay Meadow |
| League: | Second Division |
| League Result: | 22nd (relegated) |
| Cup1: | FA Cup |
| Cup1 Result: | First round |
| Cup2: | League Cup |
| Cup2 Result: | First round |
| Cup3: | League Trophy |
| League Topscorer: | Ian Stevens (17) |
| Season Topscorer: | Ian Stevens (18) |
| Largest Win: | 3–1 / 2–0 |
| Largest Loss: | 1–5 |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |
During the 1996–97 English football season, Shrewsbury Town F.C. competed in the Football League Second Division.
In the 1996–97 season, Shrewsbury endured a poor campaign and were relegated to the Third Division which ultimately cost manager Davies his job.
See main article: 1996–97 Football League.
Shrewsbury Town's score comes first[1]
| Win | Draw | Loss |
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 August 1996 | Wycombe Wanderers | H | 1–1 | 3,440 | Stevens | |
| 24 August 1996 | Rotherham United | A | 2–1 | 3,037 | Stevens (2) | |
| 27 August 1996 | Burnley | A | 3–1 | 9,072 | Taylor, Scott, Stevens | |
| 31 August 1996 | Brentford | H | 0–3 | 3,530 | ||
| 7 September 1996 | York City | A | 0–0 | 2,911 | ||
| 10 September 1996 | Bristol City | H | 1–0 | 2,502 | Stevens | |
| 14 September 1996 | Bury | H | 1–1 | 3,238 | Rowbotham | |
| 21 September 1996 | Blackpool | A | 1–1 | 4,452 | Stevens | |
| 28 September 1996 | Watford | H | 1–0 | 3,655 | Evans | |
| 1 October 1996 | Chesterfield | A | 1–2 | 3,299 | Dyche (own goal) | |
| 8 October 1996 | Wrexham | A | 1–2 | 5,031 | Evans | |
| 12 October 1996 | Luton Town | H | 0–3 | 3,357 | ||
| 15 October 1996 | Gillingham | H | 1–2 | 2,042 | Currie | |
| 19 October 1996 | Preston North End | A | 1–2 | 8,333 | Stevens | |
| 26 October 1996 | Crewe Alexandra | H | 0–1 | 3,878 | ||
| 29 October 1996 | Peterborough United | A | 2–2 | 5,400 | Bennett (2) | |
| 2 November 1996 | Notts County | A | 2–1 | 4,363 | Stevens, Bennett | |
| 12 November 1996 | Bristol Rovers | H | 2–0 | 2,331 | Stevens, Spink | |
| 20 November 1996 | Millwall | A | 1–2 | 5,770 | Stevens | |
| 23 November 1996 | Stockport County | H | 3–2 | 2,865 | Stevens, Anthrobus, Evans | |
| 30 November 1996 | Crewe Alexandra | A | 1–5 | 4,035 | Stevens | |
| 3 December 1996 | Bournemouth | H | 1–1 | 1,610 | Anthrobus | |
| 14 December 1996 | Plymouth Argyle | A | 2–2 | 5,075 | Spink, Evans | |
| 20 December 1996 | Walsall | H | 2–2 | 3,007 | Anthrobus, Stevens | |
| 26 December 1996 | Bristol City | A | 2–3 | 9,803 | Stevens, Nielsen | |
| 28 December 1996 | York City | H | 2–0 | 3,189 | Evans, Stevens | |
| 1 January 1997 | Blackpool | H | 1–3 | 2,787 | Ward | |
| 18 January 1997 | Chesterfield | H | 2–0 | 2,659 | Brown, Evans (pen) | |
| 25 January 1997 | Peterborough United | H | 2–2 | 2,695 | Bodley (own goal), Anthrobus | |
| 1 February 1997 | Bristol Rovers | A | 0–2 | 4,924 | ||
| 8 February 1997 | Notts County | H | 2–1 | 2,692 | Spink, Stevens | |
| 15 February 1997 | Stockport County | A | 1–3 | 6,712 | Whiston | |
| 22 February 1997 | Millwall | H | 1–1 | 2,968 | Anthrobus | |
| 25 February 1997 | Watford | A | 0–2 | 6,378 | ||
| 1 March 1997 | Bournemouth | A | 0–0 | 5,810 | ||
| 4 March 1997 | Bury | A | 0–2 | 2,690 | ||
| 8 March 1997 | Walsall | A | 2–2 | 4,819 | Currie, Walton | |
| 15 March 1997 | Plymouth Argyle | H | 2–3 | 3,414 | Anthrobus, Stevens | |
| 22 March 1997 | Rotherham United | H | 0–2 | 2,893 | ||
| 29 March 1997 | Wycombe Wanderers | A | 0–3 | 6,562 | ||
| 1 April 1997 | Burnley | H | 2–1 | 4,462 | Brass (own goal), Spink | |
| 5 April 1997 | Brentford | A | 0–0 | 5,355 | ||
| 12 April 1997 | Wrexham | H | 0–1 | 4,553 | ||
| 19 April 1997 | Luton Town | A | 0–2 | 6,968 | ||
| 26 April 1997 | Preston North End | H | 0–2 | 5,341 | ||
| 3 May 1997 | Gillingham | A | 0–2 | 6,183 |
See main article: 1996-97 FA Cup.
| R1 | 16 November 1996 | Scarborough | H | 1–1 | 2,819 | Stevens | |
| R1R | 26 November 1996 | Scarborough | A | 0–1 | 2,247 |
See main article: 1996-97 Football League Cup.
| R1 1st Leg | 21 August 1996 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 0–2 | 2,875 | ||
| R1 2nd Leg | 3 September 1996 | Tranmere Rovers | H | 1–1 (lost 1–3 on agg) | 3,028 | Rowbotham |
See main article: 1996–97 Football League Trophy.
| R2 (North) | 14 January 1997 | Wigan Athletic | H | 3–2 (a.e.t.) | 1,639 | Anthrobus, Stevens, Evans (pen) | |
| QF (North) | 11 February 1997 | Scunthorpe United | H | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | 1,728 | Berkley, Evans (pen) | |
| SF (North) | 18 February 1997 | Carlisle United | H | 1–2 | 2,774 | Evans |