Aston Villa F.C. season 1896-97

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Manager: George Ramsay (sec)

Leading scorer: Fred Wheldon, 18

Ever-present: Charlie Athersmith, Jimmy Cowan, Fred Wheldon

First at top: Nov 28

Date won league: Apr 10

Players used: 17

If 1895/96 was good, this season was outstanding. It got off to a slow start, with Villa recording only two wins in the first six games. An unbeaten run of 12 games took them to the top, where they finished with a lead of 11 points. The title was won when Derby County failed to win on April 10; Villa had three games left to play, all of which were won.

For good measure, the FA Cup was also won, to make Villa the second team to complete “the double”.

John Campbell was not quite as productive as in the previous season, and the leading scorer honours went to Fred Wheldon. Fred had been signed in 1896 from local rivals Small Heath (today’s Birmingham City). He was a good dribbler with the ball and won four caps for England. He played first class cricket for Worcestershire.

See also FA Cup Final 1897