1996–97 Northern Premier League

The 1996–97 Northern Premier League season was the 29th in the history of the Northern Premier League, a football competition in England. Teams were divided into two divisions; the Premier and the First. It was known as the Unibond League for sponsorship reasons.

Premier Division
The Premier League featured three new teams:


 * Alfreton Town promoted as runners-up from Division One
 * Lancaster City promoted as champions from Division One
 * Runcorn relegated from the Football Conference

Division One
Division One featured four new teams:


 * Droylsden relegated from the Premier Division
 * Flixton promoted as champions from the NWCFL Division One
 * Matlock Town relegated from the Premier Division
 * Stocksbridge Park Steels promoted as runners-up from the NCEFL Premier Division

Promotion and relegation
In the twenty-ninth season of the Northern Premier League Leek Town (as champions) were automatically promoted to the Football Conference. Witton Albion and Buxton were relegated to the First Division while Knowsley United left the League at the end of the season. Boston United moved to the Southern League. These clubs were replaced by relegated Conference side Altrincham, First Division winners Radcliffe Borough and second placed Leigh RMI. In the First Division Curzon Ashton, Warrington Town and Atherton Laburnum Rovers left the League at the end of the season and were replaced by newly admitted Whitby Town, Belper Town and Trafford.

Cup Results
Challenge Cup: Teams from both leagues.


 * Gainsborough Trinity bt. Boston United

President's Cup: 'Plate' competition for losing teams in the NPL Cup.


 * Blyth Spartans bt. Runcorn

Peter Swales Shield: Between Champions of NPL Premier Division and Winners of the NPL Cup.


 * Gainsborough Trinity bt. Leek Town