During the 1996–97 English football season, Swansea City competed in the Football League Third Division, following relegation from the Second Division.

In the 1996–97 season, Swansea reached the final of the 1997 Third Division play-offs for promotion, but lost to 1–0 to Northampton Town, whose goal came from a re-taken free kick by John Frain in the final minute.

Squad at end of season^[2]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — GK  WAL Roger Freestone — GK  WAL Lee Jones — DF  ENG Mark Clode — DF  WAL Christian Edwards — DF  WAL Robert King — DF  IRL Ryan Casey — DF  SCO Keith Walker — DF  DEN Thomas Willer-Jensen — DF  ANG Joao Moreira — MF  ENG Richard Appleby — MF  ENG Steve Jones — MF  ENG Dave Penney — MF  WAL Shaun Chapple

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF  WAL Jonathan Coates — MF  WAL Lee Jenkins — MF  WAL Damian Lacey — MF  WAL Kristian O'Leary — MF  IRL Kwame Ampadu[3] — MF  DEN Jan Mølby — FW  ENG Linton Brown — FW  ENG Carl Heggs — FW  ENG Steve Torpey — FW  WAL Jason Price — FW  WAL Dai Thomas — FW  SCO Colin McDonald

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

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF  ENG Andy Cook (to Portsmouth) — DF  ENG Shaun Garnett (to Oldham Athletic) — DF  ENG John Hills (on loan from Everton)

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF  NIR Pat McGibbon (on loan from Manchester United) — MF  ENG John Hodge (to Walsall) — FW  ENG Paul Brayson (on loan from Newcastle United)

^[4]