1996–97 Indian National Football League
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| Season | 1996-97 |
|---|---|
| Champions | JCT FC |
| Relegated | Kerala Police Mohammedan SC ITI (Indian Telephone Industries) |
| 1996–97 Asian Club Championship | JCT FC |
|
1997–98 →
|
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1996 saw the first national football championship in India take place, known locally as the Philips National League.
Twelve teams took part in the competition, which was played in two stages: a Group Stage featuring two groups of 6 teams and a Championship stage featuring the top four from each group.
The bottom two clubs in each group would not take part in the next edition, although Mohun Bagan would play the following season.
Contents
Teams
Stadia and locations
Group stage
- Top four advance to the Championship stage.
- Bottom two teams in each group automatically relegated
Group A
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Notes |
| 1 | JCT FC | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 11 | Qualify for Championship stage |
| 2 | East Bengal | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 11 | Qualify for Championship stage |
| 3 | Salgaocar SC | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 9 | Qualify for Championship stage |
| 4 | Indian Bank | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | Qualify for Championship stage |
| 5 | Mohammedan SC | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 3 | Not Qualified |
| 6 | ITI (Indian Telephone Industries) | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 1 | Not Qualified |
Group B
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Notes |
| 1 | Dempo SC | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 12 | Qualify for Championship stage |
| 2 | Air India | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 10 | Qualify for Championship stage |
| 3 | Churchill Brothers SC | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 7 | Qualify for Championship stage |
| 4 | Mahindra United | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 7 | Qualify for Championship stage |
| 5 | Mohun Bagan | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 6 | Not Qualified |
| 6 | Kerala Police | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 0 | Not Qualified |
Championship Stage
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Notes |
| 1 | JCT FC | 14 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 8 | 30 | Champions |
| 2 | Churchill Brothers SC | 14 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 29 | |
| 3 | East Bengal | 14 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 11 | 25 | |
| 4 | Dempo SC | 14 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 17 | 18 | |
| 5 | Indian Bank | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 14 | 18 | 15 | |
| 6 | Air India | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 16 | 15 | |
| 7 | Salgaocar SC | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 13 | 13 | |
| 8 | Mahindra United | 14 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 34 | 3 |
| Philips National League Champions |
|---|
JCT FC 1st Title |
1996-97 Season Role of Honour
| Competition | Winner | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Indian National Football League | JCT FC | 1st Championship |
| Federation Cup | East Bengal | Defeated Dempo SC 2:1 |
| Super Cup | East Bengal | Defeated JCT FC 0:0 (4:2 Pens) |
| Santosh Trophy | Bengal | Defeated Goa 1:0 |
| Governor's Gold Cup | Air India | Defeated Mohun Bagan 0:0 (4:3 Pens) |
| 96th Rover's Cup | Salgaocar SC | Defeated Air India 1:0 |
| 102nd IFA Shield | JCT FC | Defeated Karkh Club (Iraq) 1:0 |
| Bordoloi Cup | Mohun Bagan | Defeated East Bengal 2:1 |
| 5th Scissors Cup | Dempo SC | Defeated Indian Bank 1:0 |
| McDowell's Cup | Mohun Bagan | Defeated East Bengal 2:0 |
| Airlines Gold Cup | All Nepal FA XI | Defeated East Bengal 2:1 |
