[1] The competition began on 7 December 1996 and ended with the final on 20 April 1997 at the Wembley Stadium.
In the following rounds each section gradually eliminates teams in knock-out fashion until each has a winning finalist.
At this point, the two winning finalists face each other in the combined final for the honour of the trophy.
Crewe Alexandra, Lincoln City, Mansfield Town, Scunthorpe United, Shrewsbury Town, Wigan Athletic, Wrexham and York City from the North section all received byes.
Barnet, Bristol City, Exeter City, Northampton Town, Peterborough United, Torquay United, Walsall and Watford from the South section all received byes.