1996–97 West Ham United F.C. season

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1996–97 West Ham United F.C. season

West Ham United competed in the FA Premier League during the 1996–97 season, playing home games at Upton Park. The club was managed by Harry Redknapp and chaired by Terry Brown.

Season overview
- The campaign started with a flurry of foreign signings, but many did not settle or deliver.
- Florin Răducioiu scored only two league goals and left the club mid-season.
- Paulo Futre suffered a knee injury and retired in November.
- Despite early struggles, a late improvement helped West Ham stay in the top flight on the final day.
- Rio Ferdinand broke into the first team, while newly signed strikers Paul Kitson and John Hartson boosted the attack, providing the goals that Răducioiu and Futre had not.

League performance
- West Ham finished 14th in the FA Premier League, with 42 points from 38 games.
- They scored 39 and conceded 48 (goal difference of –9).
- Top league scorer: Paul Kitson with 8 goals; in all competitions, Kitson and Julian Dicks were the club’s top scorers with 8 each.
- Attendances: Highest home attendance was 25,064 against Liverpool (29 September); lowest was 19,105 against Aston Villa (4 December); average home league attendance was 23,242.

Cup performances
- FA Cup: Eliminated in the third round by Wrexham after a 1–1 draw away and a 0–1 defeat at home in a replay.
- League Cup: Reached the fourth round.

Squad and signings
- Notable arrivals included Rio Ferdinand, Paul Kitson and John Hartson.
- Some established players departed during the season, including Tony Cottee (to Selangor), Florin Răducioiu, and Paulo Futre.

Overall
- It was a difficult season, but West Ham managed to secure Premier League football for another year.