Not only was it the year that the Labour Party under Tony Blair won a landslide election victory, ending 18 years of Conservative power, but it was also the year Princess Diana tragically died, while the 1996/97 season was Preston North End’s first back in the Second Division after three seasons in the third tier. Here are a few retro photos of life in Preston from that historic year...
5. Preston 1997 retro
Cub scouts from the 46th Preston (Notre Dame) from left, Anthony Reid, 10, Thomas Russell, 9, Jonathan Reid, 9, Darren Walls, 8, and William Walls, 9 perform the Human Fruit Machine during the Moorbrook School Summer Fete held at the school in Ainsley Road in Fulwood, Preston Photo: IAN ROBINSON
6. Preston 1997 retro
Runners in the Garstang Running Club Guy's 10 road race set off on their ten mile run from Guy's Thatched Hamlet, Bilsborrow, near Preston Photo: David Hurst
7. Preston 1997 retro
Children are setting up a bumper sale of signed football shirts and other goods in their bid to raise more than £1,000 for Derian House Children's Hospice in Chorley. They have approached their favourite football teams, including Preston North End, Blackpool and Liverpool, to sign shirts and footballs to be auctioned at Priory High School in Penwortham, near Preston Photo: RETRO
8. Preston 1997 retro
Born performer Yuri can teach children a thing or two about clowning around. He grew up in the circus and is now passing on the tricks of the trade to youngsters through a series of skills workshops - like this one at St Peter's CE School in Fulwood, Preston. Yuri is pictured with pupils (from left) Dean Sumner, 10; Dean Ash, 11; Tim Bowerman, 11l and Martin Speariett, 11 Photo: RETRO