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The 1896–97 season was the fourteenth to be played by the team now known as Bristol Rovers, and their thirteenth playing under the name Eastville Rovers. The first team played in division one of the Western League for the fifth consecutive season, while the reserves competed in the second division of the same competition for the fourth time. This was Rovers' final season as an amateur club.

The senior squad ended the season in a mid-table position in the Western League first division, finishing in fifth place out of nine teams, while the reserves ended their campaign one place off the bottom of division two.

Season review
Following a successful 1895–96 season Rovers, along with fellow Western League clubs Warmley and St George, applied to join the Birmingham & District Football League for the 1896–97 campaign, however the Midlands-based league decided that they did not wish to increase the number of teams in the competition, and as a result all three applications were rejected. In June the Western League confirmed that Eastville Rovers had a place in Division One for the upcoming season, and the Gloucestershire F.A. confirmed the club also had a place in their Senior Challenge Cup. Rovers also entered the FA Cup for second time, having made their debut in the competition a year earlier.

In March Rovers moved to their new, purpose built Eastville Stadium, the ground that would remain their home for the next 99 years until they were forced to leave due to financial problems in the 1980s. The team that were invited to play in a friendly match to mark the opening of the new ground was reigning league champions Aston Villa. The game was played just a week before the 1897 FA Cup Final when Villa became just the second team to win the league and cup double.

Division B
For the first time since the 1893–94 season Eastville Rovers operated a third team, who were known as Eastville Rovers Juniors. They entered Division B of the North Bristol & District League (now known as the Bristol & Suburban League). Newspaper reports at the time gave the winning team first when listing match results, the order of the teams does not indicate which was playing at home as is the convention now.

FA Cup
In the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup Rovers were drawn away to Newbury, with the victor being due to face the winner of the match between Weymouth and St George. Rovers were reluctant to travel to Newbury, so offered their opponents £10 plus half the gate receipts to switch the tie to Bristol, but the Berkshire club declined the offer and Rovers had to make the journey east. The first half remained goalless, but Rovers took the lead shortly after the break before Newbury equalised later on. After this the game became more bad-tempered and marred by numerous fouls, including one player being kicked in the forehead and the game being held up for several minutes while another player was treated for an injury. The cup tie finished in a 1–1 draw, but the confrontational nature of the game didn't end there. Newbury were adamant that extra time should be played, while Rovers felt there should be a replay. In the end the referee sided with the Bristol club.