1996–97 Grimsby Town F.C. season

The Mariners were relegated from Division One. Despite flowing goals from Clive Mendonca and good performances from John Oster and newcomer Kingsley Black, Grimsby failed to save themselves. The club had suffered from the losses of ever-present goalkeeper Paul Crichton and Gary Croft, who made a £1.5 million move to Blackburn Rovers. Manager Brian Laws had been sacked late in 1996; John Cockerill and Kenny Swain both had stints as caretaker during the season. At the end of the season, former manager Alan Buckley, who had taken Grimsby from the Fourth to the old Second Division in his first stint in charge, rejoined the club in an attempt to take Grimsby back to the second tier.

Italian company Lotto became Grimsby's new kit manufacturers, and introduced a new kit for the season.[1] Europe's Food Town remained kit sponsors.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  ENG Paul Crichton (Departed in October 1996) — GK  ENG Jason Pearcey — GK  ENG Andy Love — GK  ENG Alan Miller (on loan from Middlesbrough) — GK  ENG Andy Quy — DF  ENG Danny Butterfield — DF  ENG Ashley Fickling — DF  ENG Tony Gallimore — DF  ENG Joby Gowshall — DF  SCO Peter Handyside — DF  ENG Kevin Jobling — DF  ENG Brian Laws (Departed in November 1996) — DF  ENG Mark Lever (captain) — DF  ENG John McDermott — DF  ENG Jimmy Neil — DF  ENG Graham Rodger — DF  ENG Richard Smith — DF  ENG Neil Webb

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  ENG Michael Appleton (on loan from Manchester United) — MF  NIR Kingsley Black — MF  ENG Gary Childs — MF  ENG Paul Harsley — MF  WAL John Oster — MF  ENG Craig Shakespeare — MF  ENG Nicky Southall — MF  WAL Paul Trollope (on loan from Derby County) — MF  SCO Johnny Walker (Departed in November 1996) — MF  ENG Tommy Widdrington — MF  ENG Darren Wrack — FW  IRL Daryl Clare — FW  ENG Jamie Forrester (Departed in March 1997) — FW  ENG Jason Lee (on loan from Nottingham Forest) — FW  ENG Jack Lester — FW  ENG Steve Livingstone — FW  ENG Clive Mendonca — FW  ENG Neil Woods