SWOS 96/97 does actually have native joypad/joystick support, but it seems GOG forgot to include a link to the configuration software that's needed to activate it.

There are several ways you can run install.exe from DOSBox, but the easiest way for the GOG is probably this:

1) Open up the game folder (by default "C:\GOG Games\Sensible World of Soccer 96-97")
2) Open the file dosbox_SWOS_single.conf in Notepad.
3) Add the line "install.exe" (without quotes) between "cls" and "english.exe"
4) Open the file dosbox_SWOS.conf in Notepad.
5) Change the line "timed=true" to "timed=false"
6) Save the modified config files and close them.
7) Start the game using the usual link. Don't use the French, German or Italian links in the start menu - you will have the opportunity to change your language).
8) Go to "configure", "control", "joystick and keyboard" to activate. Also change your language from this menu if you're so inclined. You will also need to calibrate your joypad, and DOSBox is a bit sluggish doing this with the default config.
9) Save the settings and exit. The game will then start automatically with joystick support.

Updated: 26.06.2013

This doesn't work with a Logitech unfortunately. :(

Joy2Key is what I'm using. I normally don't like Joy2Key but I keep a copy around for emergencies and it actually works great with this game. Of course, there is only the analogue and one button so it's not like programming Big Blue. :P

Just updated, try the new version.

Updated from when? That last post was just a few days ago and I didn't get an update notification.

I've only just updated the first post with new instructions. Didn't have time to look into the problem until now.

Far out. Thank you my friend, I'll give it a shot. Either way I'm good, minus the fact that I TOTALLY suck at this game. :P I've yet to score! :O

Edit:

...IT WORK..!!

...I was wrong to configure the joypad directions, now all works fine...!

...thanks a lot for your help...-_^

Hiya mate. Got this problem with a 'venom' joypad I bought specifically for this game.

Okay so first thing's first, I'm an unabashed luddite. Secondly, and I suppose unsurprisingly (having already declared my incompetence), I'm struggling with these directions.

1) Open up the game folder (by default "C:\GOG Games\Sensible World of Soccer 96-97")

= I click the desktop shortcut to open the game? Then I am tapping the windows button in order to enable me to open the notepad.

2) Open the file dosbox_SWOS_single.conf in Notepad.

= Step 2 is where I fall down. I'm probably unknowingly already flat on my face, but it's here at step 2 I'm left with little doubt. So anyway, game running in the background and notepad now open.. check. Clicking on file in the notepad and open to be greeted with Computer - Local Disk C - GOG games - Sensible etc - DOSBOX at the top of the notepad window.. check. Copying and pasting "dosbox_SWOS_single.conf" (minus the quotation marks) into the "File name" search box.. check. And that's when it tells me "File not found. Check filename and try again."
Of the 2 files that are already (without searching for the SWOS-single etc) in the DOSBOX file, 1 is called stderr (which has absolutely no text in it), and the other is called stdout (which does have text, but not the "cls" and "english.exe" I'm advised to place the "install.exe" between)?

And so here I stand. Still with my pangs of nostalgia for sensi, a shiny new joypad that was cursed for it's dallying before arrival, and a teacher (that's you by the way) already sighing about the idiots guide he's now been asked to write.

Give us a hand with this.. erm, *air types* thingy will ya!? :)

I'm going to assume you're using Windows 7 here.

You just need to right-click on the link and select "Open file location", then click on the "Sensible World of Soccer 96-97" part of the path at the top of the Explorer window that opens. That'll get you where you need to be, not the DOSBOX directory.

You don't want the game running in the background.

Open up notepad and drag that file (dosbox_SWOS_single.conf) from the Explorer window you've just opened into the Notepad window. Make the changes as in the guide so that it reads: Save the file (CTRL+S) then do the same for dosbox_SWOS.conf to make the change in step 5.

Then you can start the game from the desktop.

Edit: This picture should illustrate what you should be looking at.

Aye, it's working. Been playing it for a while \o/
Slightly annoying having to configure every time it's launched, but way better than messing around with the keyboard.
Thanks very much :D

Someone was saying they were having trouble scoring in a previous post, and it is definitely tougher than I remember. But as far as I can recall, running through on goal from say 10 yards outside the penalty area just off centre to the goalie and then shooting from a fraction outside the area, swerving it just to the other side of him was a highly efficient method. Though I'm still struggling with manipulating the ball sufficiently to be able create such an opportunity with anything like the regularity I used to. Angled shots across the goal from 45 degrees or so would pay less but were easier to engineer, and a particular forte of mine back then was pinging a shot from way way out (next to the touch line) at around a 50 degree angle and then having a poacher slide in and finish at the far post knocking it back in the direction it came from. My mate could never do it and it was his game! So if you're at the point of doing that, you is officially naughty. When you can win the FA cup with Gillingham in your first season nearly all the time, you're probably as good as I was :P

it works ok with my logitech joydad. !

:D It works fine with xbox-pad,THX !, i am so happy :D

GoG sollte die ++ Version einfach einbauen, und den Programmierer entsprechend beteiligen.
Damit kann man im Spiel die Joysticks kalibrieren und online spielen, über das IPX Protokoll.

--

GoG should be including the SWOS++ patch, and get a deal with its programmer.
With SWOS++ extension you can calibrate joysticks within the game and play online, over IPX protocoll, fairly easy.