Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley had piped United in the automatic spots whilst; Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ipswich Town, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace finished in a play-off place.
It was the first time that the Blades had contested the play-offs since its introduction to the Football League in 1987 - and from then on it wasn't to be a sign of good things to come!
| Nationwide League Division One 1996/1997 | ||||||||
| Pld | Pts | |||||||
| W | D | L | F | A | ||||
| 1 | Bolton W | 46 | 28 | 14 | 4 | 100 | 53 | 98 |
| 2 | Barnsley | 46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 76 | 55 | 80 |
| 3 | Wolves | 46 | 22 | 10 | 14 | 68 | 51 | 76 |
| 4 | Ipswich | 46 | 20 | 14 | 12 | 68 | 50 | 74 |
| 5 | BLADES | 46 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 75 | 52 | 73 |
| 6 | Palace | 46 | 19 | 14 | 13 | 78 | 48 | 71 |
After a seasons long hard battle which saw memorable games against Grimsby Town were they won 4-2 at Blundell Park in front of the Sky camera's the Blades came out 3-0 victors with recently new signing Jan Aage Fjortoft scoring an hat-trick.
On the first day of the season United lost 1-0 at Reading's old Elm Park ground before recording a 4-4 home draw with Birmingham City in a memorable match.
During the course of the season the Blades had memorable players under manager Howard Kendall such as Jan Fjortoft and fellow strikers Petr Katchouro and Gareth Taylor whilst defenders David Holdsworth, Alan kelly (keeper), Lee Sandford and Roger Nilsen were strong at the back - but of course we cant forget midfielders Dane Whitehouse and Don Hutchinson.
Sheffield United were guaranteed a play-off place after on-loan defender Carl Tiler headed home the winner against Stoke City in a 1-0 win.
As United finished fifth in the table they were automatically drawn against Ipswich Town and were forced to play the first game at Bramall Lane; United got off to a great start when Jan Fjortoft netted and wheeled away with his classic aeroplane celebration. However they were short lived as Town equalised and scored that important away goal.
At Portman Road things were different and the jubilant away fans were in raptures when Petr Katchoro beat the offside trap to hook over Richard Wright inside five minutes. The home faithful once again levelled and the game was taken into extra-time. The Tractor Boys netted to make the score 2-1 but veteran Andy Walker equalised after Fjortoft saw his goal disallowed.
In the final United faced Crystal Palace whom beat Wolverhampton Wanderers over two legs at Selhurst Park and Molineux 4-3 on aggregate.
In the final it was a devastating blow for United, they lost Don Hutchinson (shoulder) to injury in a game of two few chances for both sides; when it came it was virtually the last kick of the game. The Eagles had won a corner which was cleared to the edge of the box, there waiting was David Hopkin who's half volley flew into the top right hand corner!
David Tuttle was on the opposing side - he had previous played for the Blades whilst Neil Shipperley and Bruce Dyer would in later years feature in a red and white shirt.
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