The 1996–97 Southern Football League season was the 94th in the history of the league, an English football competition.
Gresley Rovers won the Premier Division. However, as their ground failed to meet the required standard, second-placed Cheltenham Town were promoted to the Football Conference instead. Baldock Town, Chelmsford City and Newport were relegated to the Midland and Southern Divisions, whilst Sudbury Town (who had finished in thirteenth place) resigned from the league and dropped into the Eastern Counties League due to financial problems.
Tamworth, Forest Green Rovers, Rothwell Town and St Leonards Stamcroft (in their first season in the Southern League) were promoted to the Premier Division, the former two as champions of their divisions. Meanwhile, Midland Division club Dudley Town resigned from the league at the end of the season and did not compete in any competitions the following season. Leicester United folded during the season, and Buckingham Town were relegated to the United Counties League.
The Premier Division consisted of 22 clubs, including 18 clubs from the previous season and four new clubs:
| Competition: | Southern Football League Premier Division |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Winners: | Gresley Rovers |
| Promoted: | Cheltenham Town |
| Relegated: | Baldock Town Chelmsford City Newport |
| Matches: | 462 |
| Total Goals: | 1351 |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |
The Midland Division consisted of 22 clubs, including 17 clubs from the previous season and five new clubs:
At the end of the season Hinckley Town merged with Midland Alliance club Hinckley Athletic to form Hinckley United.
| Competition: | Southern Football League Midland Division |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Winners: | Tamworth |
| Promoted: | Rothwell Town Tamworth |
| Matches: | 420 |
| Total Goals: | 1348 |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |
The Southern Division consisted of 22 clubs, including 18 clubs from the previous season and four new clubs:
| Competition: | Southern Football League Southern Division |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Winners: | Forest Green Rovers |
| Promoted: | Forest Green Rovers St. Leonards Stamcroft |
| Relegated: | Buckingham Town |
| Matches: | 462 |
| Total Goals: | 1444 |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |