The 1897–98 season was the sixth in the history of the Western Football League.
For this season the league was restructured, with a new Professional Section being formed, taking five clubs from Division One and three new clubs joining.
Bristol City were the champions of the new Professional Section, and also competed in the Southern League during this season, along with Swindon Town, Reading and Warmley.
Division One of the Amateur Section was won by Bedminster, and the Division Two champions were newcomers Hanham.
Many clubs left the Amateur Section at the end of the season, necessitating a merger of the two amateur divisions for the following season.