The
National Soccer League (
NSL) is the former national association football competition in
AustralasiaAustralasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004. In 2005, it was succeeded by the
A-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
competition, run by
Football Federation AustraliaFootball Federation Australia is the governing body for the sport of football in Australia. Before 1 January 2005, it was known as the Australian Soccer Association , which succeeded Soccer Australia in this role in 2003...
, the successor to the Australian Soccer Association. The competition was also known by various names including the
PhilipsKoninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. , more commonly known as Philips, is a multinational Dutch electronics company....
Soccer League,
Coca-ColaCoca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
Soccer League,
EricssonEricsson , one of Sweden's largest companies, is a provider of telecommunication and data communication systems, and related services, covering a range of technologies, including especially mobile networks...
Cup and briefly during the mid-1990s the
A-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
.
Pre-NSL history of interstate club competition
Competition between club sides from different states existed in various forms prior to the formation of the NSL. The petroleum company
AmpolAmpol, the Australian Motorists Petrol Company, was incorporated by Sir William Gaston Walkley in 1936 in New South Wales. This was in response to Australians' concerns about perceived inequitable petrol pricing, and allegations of transfer pricing by foreign oil companies to limit their tax...
sponsored cup competitions in the various states, starting with
New South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
in 1957, with other states following in their stead. Later a national Ampol Cup was conducted which continued throughout the 1960s. From 1962 until 1968 an
Australia CupThe Australian Cup is a defunct football competition organised by the Australian Soccer Federation. It was held between 1962 and 1968. It was the first nationwide club tournament held in Australia.-Champions and runners up:...
was held, but its ambition of becoming an
FA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
style knockout competition went unfulfilled. In the 1970s the top sides from Melbourne and Sydney played off in an end of season series, but the tournament didn't seem to quite capture the legitimacy and popularity that was hoped for.
Plans for a national home and away league went back as far as 1965 for a 1967 start, and were followed up by variations on the theme throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, but faced opposition variously from clubs, who deemed the notion uneconomical, and state federations who feared losing their power. Australia's qualification for the
1974 World CupThe 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from 13 June to 7 July. The tournament marked the first time that the current trophy, the FIFA World Cup Trophy, created by the Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, was awarded...
led to various discussions in 1975 and 1976, with eventually 14 teams being chosen to participate in the inaugural season of the national league.
The transition from state-based leagues to a national competition was not all smooth. The
Victorian Soccer FederationFootball Federation Victoria is the state governing body for football in Victoria, Australia. It is affiliated with Football Federation Australia, the sport's national governing body....
was reluctant for its big clubs to be involved and it appeared the dream of Alex Pongrass of
St GeorgeThe St. George Saints Football Club are an Association football club based in the St. George region of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. The club plays its home games at St. George Stadium, after playing a brief stint at Belmore Sports Ground in the 2007-08. The St...
and
Frank LowyFrank Lowy, AC is an Australian-Israeli businessman. He is a co-founder of the Westfield Group, operator of over 100 shopping centres in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Great Britain...
of
Hakoah SydneySydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
for a nationwide club competition would not evolve. Little-known
MooroolbarkMooroolbark is an Australian association football club based in Mooroolbark, an outer eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. They currently play in Victorian Provisional League 1 South-East.-History:...
from Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs broke the deadlock by joining the competition, bringing three other
VictorianVictoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
sides with it, making the national league a reality.
1977–1983 Sydney dominance
The first seven seasons of the league would be dominated by Sydney clubs, with
Sydney CitySydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
winning four titles, and only
West Adelaide SCWest Adelaide Soccer Club is an Australian football club from Adelaide, Australia. Currently it plays in the FFSA State League Competition. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1977 season until the end of the 1998/99 season, except for the periods 1987-89 and 1990-91. It was...
being able to wrest the title from
New South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. The competition at this stage was a simple first past the post. A post season finals series was played during this era but was considered more of an exhibition series rather than a legitimate game to decide the national champion, although some confusion still exists on this matter particularly amongst some
HeidelbergHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
supporters who consider the 1980 'final' as a legitimate decider.
1984–1986 Conference system and shift of power
Shrinking crowds led to the radical move of introducing more teams (mainly from Victoria and
New South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
) and splitting the league into two conferences, with the winner of each division to play off in an end of year two legged final. For season 1984 the 'Australian' Conference had competing teams from
New South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
and the
ACTThe Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
, whilst the 'National' Conference consisted of Victorian,
South AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
n and Queensland clubs. For 1985 and 1986 this reverted to 'Northern' and 'Southern' Conferences. Strangely, the competition's most geographically northern sides,
Brisbane LionsQueensland Lions Football Club is an football club based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.-History:The club was founded in 1957 as Hollandia-Inala Soccer Club by Dutch immigrants. From the start they were based at grounds in the Brisbane suburb of Richlands, where they still play...
and Brisbane City were in the latter grouping.
This period saw
South MelbourneSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
become the first
VictoriaVictoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
n team to win the league, followed by
Brunswick JuventusBrunswick Juventus is an Australian association football club from Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club was a participant in the National Soccer League, where they were champions in 1985, and Victorian Premier League, in which they won eight titles...
, and
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
, all Southern conference sides. At the end of the 1986 season, the system was scrapped, and about half the teams were dumped back to their respective state leagues. The criteria used to decide who stayed and who went was based 50% on the 1986 playing record, 40% on past playing record, and 10% on crowd support. The result was that only one team from outside Sydney and Melbourne, reigning champions
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
, was retained.
1987–1989 Return to single division and last years of winter football
The revamped league suffered a major setback early on when Sydney City pulled out of the competition after just one round into the new season. Apart from returning to a single division, the league also dispensed with finals for the 1987 season, reverting back to first past the post. Many considered this an ill-considered move, as it robbed the league of its most high profile games. Finals were re-introduced from 1988, and were to remain until the league's demise. The 1989 season would be the last to be played in winter. This period saw a re-emergence of
New South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
dominance with all titles, minor premierships and runners-up being from that state.
1989/90-1995/96 Birth of summer football
Attempts to shift the league towards a summer season went back into the early 1980s, but only came to pass for the 1989/90 season. The rationale for this change was simple. The league would avoid being marginalised in the media during the peak of the
Australian Football LeagueThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
and
Australian Rugby LeagueThe Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
seasons, as well as providing better playing surfaces and spectator comfort owing to the better weather.
The impetus given to the league from the switch was not enough for some clubs to remain in the league, with many clubs being relegated or being demoted back to the state leagues, including former champions
Brunswick JuventusBrunswick Juventus is an Australian association football club from Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club was a participant in the National Soccer League, where they were champions in 1985, and Victorian Premier League, in which they won eight titles...
,
St GeorgeThe St. George Saints Football Club are an Association football club based in the St. George region of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. The club plays its home games at St. George Stadium, after playing a brief stint at Belmore Sports Ground in the 2007-08. The St...
and
APIA LeichhardtAPIA Leichhardt Tigers Football Club, also known as APIA Tigers and Sydney Tigers, is an Australian football club based in Sydney, Australia. The club was formed in 1954, known as APIA Leichhardt, by Italian Australians...
, as well as once upon a time contenders in
HeidelbergHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
and
PrestonThe Preston Lions Football Club are an Australian football club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
. This coincided with a renewed push by soccer authorities to force clubs to market themselves to mainstream Australia, as opposed to their own mostly migrant fan bases. This included name and logo changes, as well as the banning of ethnic flags, changes which were begrudgingly agreed to by the clubs, though in the terraces the fans generally continued to chant the old names.
MarconiThe Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
,
South Melbourne FCSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
, Adelaide City and the
Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
were the dominant sides of this era, with
numerous titles and grand final appearances between them.
1996/97-2000/01 New clubs and attempts to enter the mainstream
From 1996 onwards the league attempted to revitalise the competition and attempt to hook into the mainstream support by finally introducing a team from Western Australia, in the form of
Perth GloryPerth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
, as well as other new entities which promised to deliver mainstream support, as well as being fully professional outfits as opposed to the majority of clubs and players who were only semi-professional. Among the new clubs at this time were the
Collingwood WarriorsCollingwood Warriors was an association football team from Melbourne, Australia. It played in the National Soccer League in 1996/97, lasting only a solitary season....
,
CarltonCarlton Soccer Club is a defunct Australian association football club. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1997/98 season until round eight of the 2000/2001 season, after which it folded. The club was strongly linked to the Carlton Australian Rules club, and suffered from poor...
,
Northern SpiritNorthern Spirit Football Club was a football club based in North Sydney, Australia. Northern Spirit entered the National Soccer League in the 1998-99 season...
and
Parramatta PowerParramatta Power were a football team which was based in western Sydney. They played in the National Soccer League from season 1999/2000 until the league folded in 2004. The Power were runners up to Perth Glory in the 2003/04 season of the NSL after Perth made the Grand Final look easy in...
.
These clubs would have varying degrees of success on and off the field. Collingwood Warriors barely managed to last a season, while
CarltonCarlton Soccer Club is a defunct Australian association football club. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1997/98 season until round eight of the 2000/2001 season, after which it folded. The club was strongly linked to the Carlton Australian Rules club, and suffered from poor...
reached the grand final in its debut year, but was unable to attract a substantial fan base.
Northern Spirit FCNorthern Spirit Football Club was a football club based in North Sydney, Australia. Northern Spirit entered the National Soccer League in the 1998-99 season...
started off with record crowds, and a good debut season reaching the finals, but gradually crowds declined, and financial difficulties along with a controversial takeover by Rangers, didn't help matters. They would survive until the end of the NSL, but fold thereafter.
Parramatta PowerParramatta Power were a football team which was based in western Sydney. They played in the National Soccer League from season 1999/2000 until the league folded in 2004. The Power were runners up to Perth Glory in the 2003/04 season of the NSL after Perth made the Grand Final look easy in...
failed to gather much support, placed as it was in the midst of the already crowded western Sydney soccer market, and it too would not last beyond the end of the NSL. Perth Glory became the most successful of the new mainstream entrants. High crowds and good performances throughout the NSL's last decade made Perth Glory for many observers the benchmark and role model for all future entrants to the Australian top-flight.
A then record grand final crowd of 40,000 people saw the
Brisbane StrikersThe Brisbane Strikers are an Australian football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia who play in the Queensland State League.-National Soccer League:...
become the first Queensland side to win the title in season 1996/97, but it never resulted in
BrisbaneBrisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
gaining much bigger crowds in the following seasons than they were accustomed to.
South Melbourne FCSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
won back to back titles in the late 1990s, and by also winning the
1999 Oceania Club ChampionshipThe 1999 Oceania Club Championships was held in September 1999. The tournament was designed to decide the Oceania Football Confederation's entrant into the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship. The competition was held in Fiji .-Participants:...
, earning the right to play in the
2000 FIFA Club World ChampionshipThe 2000 FIFA Club World Championship was the pilot edition of the FIFA Club World Championship held in Brazil from 5 January to 14 January 2000...
, where it put in some respectable performances, and a tidy sum in prize money.
Wollongong WolvesThe South Coast Wolves Football Club is an Australian Association football club based in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia currently playing in the NSW Premier League.The club was formed in 2009 as a not for profit organisation, run and owned by the community since the financial...
became the only side from regional Australia to win the league, with their back to back titles in 1999/2000 and 2000/01. The 1999/2000 Grand Final against Perth Glory at Subiaco Oval in
PerthPerth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
saw a record attendance of 43,242, overtaking the 1997 figure in Brisbane and a record that would remain until the 2007 A-League Grand Final in
MelbourneMelbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. The cancellation of the
2001 FIFA Club World ChampionshipThe 2001 FIFA Club World Championship was a football tournament arranged by FIFA to take place in Spain. This was cancelled owing to a combination of factors, most importantly the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner ISL.-Teams:...
however was a major blow to the league as clubs which had seen a way of making a substantial amount of much needed money.
2001/02–2003/04 Decline and demise
After the
2001 FIFA Club World ChampionshipThe 2001 FIFA Club World Championship was a football tournament arranged by FIFA to take place in Spain. This was cancelled owing to a combination of factors, most importantly the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner ISL.-Teams:...
was cancelled, the NSL was in great turmoil. High profile Australian players began to leave the NSL due to more enticing offers from overseas leagues.
In 1998, Soccer Australia sold the television rights for the NSL and Socceroos matches to the
Seven NetworkThe Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
in a 10 year contract that was worth $2.5 million a year. Seven bought the rights to be one of the flagships of its pay TV sport channel,
C7 SportC7 Sport was a pay-TV service in Australia, owned and run by Kerry Stokes' Seven Network. The service was carried on the Austar and Optus Vision pay-TV networks between 1995 and 2002, when it was removed in controversial circumstances...
.
It also broadcast a small amount of coverage on its free-to-air network. At one point in 2000, the amount of free-to-air coverage on the NSL was only a one hour highlights package of the NSL after midnight on Wednesdays.
In 2002,
C7 SportC7 Sport was a pay-TV service in Australia, owned and run by Kerry Stokes' Seven Network. The service was carried on the Austar and Optus Vision pay-TV networks between 1995 and 2002, when it was removed in controversial circumstances...
closed after the Seven Network lost the
AFLThe Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
rights and pay TV networks stopped carrying the channel. The next year, Seven severed its contract in the last week of Soccer Australia's existence. This left the NSL with no TV coverage at all until
SBSThe Special Broadcasting Service is a hybrid-funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television network. The stated purpose of SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect...
picked up the rights soon after.
The consequent lack of sponsorship meant the league fell into even further decline which lead to its eventual demise at the end of the 2003-04 season. Highlights were few and far between, but
Sydney OlympicSydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
re-emerged as a genuine leading club for the first time in a decade, winning its second title, and
Perth GloryPerth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
went on to win the last two titles of the NSL, after previously having lost two grand finals.
The birth of
Adelaide UnitedAdelaide United Football Club is a professional football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It currently participates in the A-League as the sole team from the state of South Australia. Adelaide is one of the most successful clubs in the A-League. The club's home ground is...
, as a quickly formed replacement of
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
who withdrew just before the start of the final NSL season, was perhaps the sole major highlight of this era, as they put in good performances, but most importantly, registered crowds which had not been seen in
AdelaideAdelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
since the heyday of
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
and
West AdelaideWest Adelaide Soccer Club is an Australian football club from Adelaide, Australia. Currently it plays in the FFSA State League Competition. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1977 season until the end of the 1998/99 season, except for the periods 1987-89 and 1990-91. It was...
.
The league in 2003-04 was won by Perth Glory after a 1-0 win against
Parramatta PowerParramatta Power were a football team which was based in western Sydney. They played in the National Soccer League from season 1999/2000 until the league folded in 2004. The Power were runners up to Perth Glory in the 2003/04 season of the NSL after Perth made the Grand Final look easy in...
on April 4, 2004, almost 27 years to the day that the national competition began.
Nik MrdjaNik Mrdja is an Australian football player of Serbian ethnicity. He currently plays as a striker for the Australian A-League club the Central Coast Mariners.-Club career:...
had the honor of scoring the last goal in the NSL, a 98th minute
golden goalThe golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
to seal the championship for Perth. After this, national competition went into recess for a year and a half. In November 2004, 8 teams, including 5 from the now defunct NSL, formed the
A-LeagueThe A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
, the revamped national competition. The first competition began on the 26th of August 2005, ending the long recess.
Competition format
The competition structure changed many times throughout the NSL's history. From its inception in 1977 until 1983, it was simply a matter of first past the post. However a compromise format was devised between the traditional first past the post and the Australian system of finals. In 1978, 1979 (two-legged Grand Final), 1980 and 1982 a finals series was conducted but the winner of the Grand Final didn't determine who won the title. From 1984 until 1986, the league introduced more teams split into two conferences (1984 – Australian Conference,
New South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
/
Australian Capital TerritoryThe Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
clubs and National Conference, Victoria,
South AustraliaSouth Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, Queensland; 1985 and 1986 – Northern Conference,
New South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
/
Australian Capital TerritoryThe Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
clubs and Southern Conference for the rest) with 12 teams in each. The top five in each division would qualify for the playoffs, with the winner of each of the divisional playoffs playing off in a two-legged Grand Final. In 1987, the league dumped 11 teams, scrapped the split divisions, and the championship system reverted to first past the post.
In 1988 the league re-introduced a finals system, with the top five sides qualifying for the playoffs. In season 1992/93, the league increased the finalists to six. This system was used for the rest of the league's duration, except for season 2002/03 when the top six sides played a further series of home and away games against each other, with the top two playing off in the Grand Final.
The NSL also used a variety of point systems throughout its history. From 1977 until season 1991/92, teams were awarded two points for a win, one point for draw, and none for a loss. The exceptions to this were 1979, in which wins by four goals or more were awarded a bonus point, and 1983, in which three points were awarded for a win. From season 1992/93 onwards three points were awarded for a win, except for season 1994/95. In that season, four points were awarded for a win, with games ending in draws, being decided by penalty shootouts at the end of the game. The winner of the shootout received two points, the loser one point.
Former clubs
| Team |
Also known as |
Years Participating |
Current Status |
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
|
Adelaide Juventus
Adelaide City Zebras
Adelaide City Giants
Adelaide (City) Force |
1977-2002/03 |
South Australian Super League The South Australian Super League is the highest state-level association football competition in South Australia and commenced in 2006. Prior to the 2006 season, the highest level competition in South Australia was the South Australian Premier League. Nationally, it is one grade lower than the...
|
Adelaide UnitedAdelaide United Football Club is a professional football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It currently participates in the A-League as the sole team from the state of South Australia. Adelaide is one of the most successful clubs in the A-League. The club's home ground is...
|
|
2003/04 |
A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
|
| A.P.I.A. Leichhardt |
Leichhardt Strikers |
1979-1991/1992 |
New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
as Sydney TigersAPIA Leichhardt Tigers Football Club, also known as APIA Tigers and Sydney Tigers, is an Australian football club based in Sydney, Australia. The club was formed in 1954, known as APIA Leichhardt, by Italian Australians...
|
| Blacktown City |
|
1980–1981
1984–1986
1989-1989/90 |
New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
|
| Brisbane City |
Azzurri
Brisbane City Gladiators |
1977–1986 |
Brisbane Premier League Brisbane Premier League is the first tier of senior football league in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, run by Football Brisbane . After a 26 match regular season, the top 6 teams on the league table qualify for the finals series...
|
| Brisbane Lions Queensland Lions Football Club is an football club based in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.-History:The club was founded in 1957 as Hollandia-Inala Soccer Club by Dutch immigrants. From the start they were based at grounds in the Brisbane suburb of Richlands, where they still play...
|
Hollandia |
1977–1986
1988 |
A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
as Brisbane RoarBrisbane Roar Football Club is a professional football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia competing in the Hyundai A-League national competition, playing their home games at Suncorp Stadium...
|
| Brisbane Strikers |
Brisbane United |
1991/92-2003/04 |
Queensland State League Queensland State League may refer to:* Queensland State League , a statewide semi-professional association football league...
|
| Brunswick Juventus Brunswick Juventus is an Australian association football club from Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club was a participant in the National Soccer League, where they were champions in 1985, and Victorian Premier League, in which they won eight titles...
|
Brunswick Pumas
Melbourne BUSC
Melbourne Zebras |
1984–1988
1993/94-1994/95 |
Victorian Premier League The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
as Whittlesea Zebras |
Canberra CityCanberra City Football Club, also known for some time as the Canberra Arrows, is an Australian football club based in Canberra in the ACT...
|
Canberra City Arrows
Canberra City Olympians |
1977–1986 |
ACT Premier LeagueThe ACT Premier League, known as the Gatorade Premier League for sponsorship reasons, is an association football competition contested by clubs affiliated to Capital Football...
|
Canberra CosmosCanberra Cosmos FC is a defunct Australian association football club based in Canberra in the ACT. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1995/96 season until the end of the 2000/01 season, after which it folded, primarily due to financial difficulties...
|
|
1995/96-2000/01 |
Defunct |
| Canterbury-Marrickville |
Canterbury-Marrickville Olympic |
1986 |
New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
as West Sydney Berries |
Carlton S.C.Carlton Soccer Club is a defunct Australian association football club. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1997/98 season until round eight of the 2000/2001 season, after which it folded. The club was strongly linked to the Carlton Australian Rules club, and suffered from poor...
|
|
1997/98-2000/01 |
Defunct |
| Collingwood Warriors Collingwood Warriors was an association football team from Melbourne, Australia. It played in the National Soccer League in 1996/97, lasting only a solitary season....
|
|
1996/1997 |
Defunct |
Football KingzThis page details the history of the club. For information on seasons and results see New Zealand Knights seasons 2005-06 and 2006-07New Zealand Knights Football Club were the only professional football club in New Zealand before they became defunct...
|
Auckland Kingz |
1999/01-2003/04 |
Defunct; A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
2005–07 as New Zealand KnightsThis page details the history of the club. For information on seasons and results see New Zealand Knights seasons 2005-06 and 2006-07New Zealand Knights Football Club were the only professional football club in New Zealand before they became defunct...
|
| Footscray JUST Footscray JUST is a defunct association football club from Melbourne, Australia.Established in 1950 by migrants from Yugoslavia they played in the Victorian leagues with a fair amount of success, winning five Victorian State League titles, and three Dockerty Cup titles...
|
Footscray Eagles
Melbourne City JUST |
1977–1989 |
Defunct |
Green GullyGreen Gully Soccer Club is a football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Green Gully is one of the biggest clubs in Melbourne, it participated in the old National Soccer League between 1984-1986....
|
Green Gully Ajax |
1984–1986 |
Victorian Premier League The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
|
Heidelberg UnitedHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
|
Fitzroy United
Heidelberg Alexander |
1977–1987,
1989,
1990/91-1994/95 |
Victorian Premier League The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
|
| Inter Monaro Inter Monaro SC is a defunct Australian football club that was based in Queanbeyan, NSW. Inter Monaro entere the NSW State League in 1977 after winning the ACT State League in 1976. In 1979 they won the NSW State League Grand Final...
|
|
1985–1986 |
Defunct |
| Marconi Stallions The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
|
Marconi Fairfield
Marconi-Datsun Leopards |
1977-2003/04 |
New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
|
Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
Essendon Lions
Melbourne Croatia
Melbourne CSC |
1984-2003/04 |
Victorian Premier League The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
|
| Mooroolbark Mooroolbark is an Australian association football club based in Mooroolbark, an outer eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. They currently play in Victorian Provisional League 1 South-East.-History:...
|
Mooroolbark United |
1977 |
Victorian Provisional League One South-East |
| Morwell Falcons |
Gippsland Falcons
Eastern Pride |
1992–2001 |
Defunct |
| Newcastle Breakers |
Newcastle BHP Breakers |
1991/92-1999/00 |
Defunct |
| Newcastle KB United |
Newcastle United
Newcastle KB Raiders |
1978–1984 |
Defunct |
| Newcastle Rosebud United Adamstown Rosebuds Football Club is a semi-professional association football club based in Adamstown a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. At its senior level the club competes in the NewFM Division after being relegated from the NBN League in the 2007 season...
|
Adamstown Rosebuds |
1984–1986 |
NBN State Football League The Northern New South Wales State Football League, or as it is more commonly known as the NBN State Football League for sponsorship purposes, is the premier association football league in the Hunter Valley and Newcastle region. It is governed by Northern New South Wales Football...
as Adamstown RosebudsAdamstown Rosebuds Football Club is a semi-professional association football club based in Adamstown a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales. At its senior level the club competes in the NewFM Division after being relegated from the NBN League in the 2007 season...
|
| Newcastle United Jets |
Newcastle United |
2000/01-2003/04 |
A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
|
| Northern Spirit Northern Spirit Football Club was a football club based in North Sydney, Australia. Northern Spirit entered the National Soccer League in the 1998-99 season...
|
|
1998/99-2003/04 |
Defunct |
| Parramatta Eagles FC |
Melita |
1984,
1989/90-1994/95 |
New South Wales Winter Super League The New South Wales Super League is the second-highest state level men's association football division in New South Wales, Australia behind the NSW Premier League...
|
| Parramatta Power FC |
|
1999/00-2003/04 |
Defunct |
| Penrith City Penrith City SC is a defunct Australian football club that was based in Penrith, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1984, was an offshoot of the Penrith Panthers rugby league club, participating in the National Soccer League 1984 and 1985 seasons, in the league's Northern Division.- National...
|
|
1984–1985 |
Defunct |
Perth GloryPerth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
|
1996/97-2003/04 |
A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
|
Preston LionsThe Preston Lions Football Club are an Australian football club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
|
Preston Rams
Preston Makedonia |
1981-1992/93 |
Victorian State League Division 1 The Victorian State League Division 1 is the second tier association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and the third nationally, including the A-League...
|
South MelbourneSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
|
South Melbourne Hellas
South Melbourne Gunners
South Melbourne Lakers |
1977-2003/04 |
Victorian Premier League The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
|
| St George Saints |
St George Budapest |
1977–1980,
1982-1990/91 |
New South Wales Winter Super League The New South Wales Super League is the second-highest state level men's association football division in New South Wales, Australia behind the NSW Premier League...
|
Sunshine George CrossSunshine George Cross Football Club is an Australian football club from Sunshine, a western suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and plays in the Victorian State League Division 1. Sunshine George Cross have played at Chaplin Reserve after agreement was reached with Sunshine City Soccer Club...
|
|
1984-1990/91 |
Victorian Premier League The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
as Sunshine GeorgiesSunshine George Cross Football Club is an Australian football club from Sunshine, a western suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and plays in the Victorian State League Division 1. Sunshine George Cross have played at Chaplin Reserve after agreement was reached with Sunshine City Soccer Club...
|
| Sydney City Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
|
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah
Sydney City Slickers |
1977–1987 |
NSW Conference League South The NSW Conference League South is the 4th Level of the State Wide Football NSW League. It shares the 4th Level with the NSW Conference League North...
|
| Sydney Olympic |
Pan-Hellenic
Sydney Olympians
UTS Olympic
Olympic Sharks |
1977–1979
1981-2003/04 |
New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
|
| Sydney United |
Sydney Croatia
Sydney CSC
Sydney United Pumas |
1984-2003/04 |
New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
|
West AdelaideWest Adelaide Soccer Club is an Australian football club from Adelaide, Australia. Currently it plays in the FFSA State League Competition. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1977 season until the end of the 1998/99 season, except for the periods 1987-89 and 1990-91. It was...
|
West Adelaide Hellas
West Adelaide Hawks
(West) Adelaide Sharks |
1977–1986
1989/90
1991/92-1998/99 |
South Australian State League The South Australian State League is now the third-tier state-level football competition in South Australia. It is conducted by the Football Federation of South Australia , the state's governing body. Each season, the top two clubs are promoted to the Premier League while the bottom two sides in...
|
| Western Suburbs The Western Suburbs Soccer Club is a defunct Australian football club that was based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club was a founding member of the National Soccer League in 1977.-History:...
|
|
1977–78 |
amalgamated in 1978 with APIA Leichhardt |
Wollongong MacedoniaWollongong United is an Australian soccer club based in Wollongong, currently participating in the Illawarra Premier League. The club played in the 1991 season of the National Soccer League under the name Wollongong Macedonia, where it finished last....
|
Wollongong United
Illawarra Lions |
1990/91 |
Illawarra Premier League |
| Wollongong Wolves |
Wollongong City |
1981–1986
1988-2003/04 |
New South Wales Premier League The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
|
Champions
| Year |
Champion |
Runner up |
Score |
Venue |
Crowd |
| 1977 |
Sydney City Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
|
Marconi Stallions The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
|
No Grand Final held |
|
|
| 1978 |
West AdelaideWest Adelaide Soccer Club is an Australian football club from Adelaide, Australia. Currently it plays in the FFSA State League Competition. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1977 season until the end of the 1998/99 season, except for the periods 1987-89 and 1990-91. It was...
|
Sydney City Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
|
No Grand Final held |
|
|
| 1979 |
Marconi Stallions The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
|
Heidelberg UnitedHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
|
No Grand Final held |
|
|
| 1980 |
Sydney City Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
|
Heidelberg UnitedHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
|
No Grand Final held |
|
|
| 1981 |
Sydney City Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
|
South MelbourneSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
|
No Grand Final held |
|
|
| 1982 |
Sydney City Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
|
St George The St. George Saints Football Club are an Association football club based in the St. George region of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. The club plays its home games at St. George Stadium, after playing a brief stint at Belmore Sports Ground in the 2007-08. The St...
|
No Grand Final held |
|
|
| 1983 |
St George The St. George Saints Football Club are an Association football club based in the St. George region of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. The club plays its home games at St. George Stadium, after playing a brief stint at Belmore Sports Ground in the 2007-08. The St...
|
Sydney City Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
|
No Grand Final held |
|
|
| 1984 |
South MelbourneSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
|
Sydney OlympicSydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
|
4–2 agg. over two legs |
Olympic ParkOlympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
St. George StadiumSt. George Soccer Stadium is a recently-reopened football stadium in Banksia, New South Wales, Australia.-History:The ground was opened in 1978 to be the home of St. George-Budapest who played in local competition until playing in the national competition at the time, the National Soccer League...
|
10,000
11,221 |
| 1985 |
Brunswick Juventus Brunswick Juventus is an Australian association football club from Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club was a participant in the National Soccer League, where they were champions in 1985, and Victorian Premier League, in which they won eight titles...
|
Sydney City Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
|
2–0 agg. over two legs |
St. George StadiumSt. George Soccer Stadium is a recently-reopened football stadium in Banksia, New South Wales, Australia.-History:The ground was opened in 1978 to be the home of St. George-Budapest who played in local competition until playing in the national competition at the time, the National Soccer League...
Olympic ParkOlympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
|
2,491
7,560 |
| 1986 |
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
|
Sydney OlympicSydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
|
3–2 agg. over two legs |
Hindmarsh StadiumHindmarsh Stadium is a rectangular stadium located in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the home of the Australian A-League team, Adelaide United....
Parramatta StadiumParramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
|
12,232
14,032 |
| 1987 |
APIA LeichardtAPIA Leichhardt Tigers Football Club, also known as APIA Tigers and Sydney Tigers, is an Australian football club based in Sydney, Australia. The club was formed in 1954, known as APIA Leichhardt, by Italian Australians...
|
Preston LionsThe Preston Lions Football Club are an Australian football club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
|
No Grand Final held |
|
| 1988 |
Marconi Stallions The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
|
Sydney UnitedSydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area...
|
2–2 (5–4 on penalties) |
Parramatta Stadium Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
|
17,064 |
| 1989 |
Marconi Stallions The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
|
Sydney OlympicSydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
|
1–0 |
Parramatta Stadium Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
|
23,387 |
| 1989/1990 |
Sydney OlympicSydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
|
Marconi Stallions The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
|
2–0 |
Parramatta Stadium Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
|
26,353 |
| 1990/1991 |
South MelbourneSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
|
Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
1–1 (5–4 on penalties) |
Olympic ParkOlympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
|
21,338 |
| 1991/1992 |
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
|
Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
0–0 (4–2 on penalties) |
Olympic ParkOlympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
|
15,463 |
| 1992/1993 |
Marconi Stallions The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
|
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
|
1–0 |
Parramatta Stadium Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
|
13,376 |
| 1993/1994 |
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
|
Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
1–0 |
Olympic ParkOlympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
|
13,790 |
| 1994/1995 |
Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
|
2–0 |
Hindmarsh StadiumHindmarsh Stadium is a rectangular stadium located in Adelaide, South Australia. It is the home of the Australian A-League team, Adelaide United....
|
15,573 |
| 1995/1996 |
Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
Marconi Stallions The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
|
2–1 |
Olympic ParkOlympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
|
14,258 |
| 1996/1997 |
Brisbane Strikers |
Sydney UnitedSydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area...
|
2–0 |
Lang ParkLang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, Suncorp Stadium...
|
40,446 |
| 1997/1998 |
South MelbourneSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
|
Carlton S.C.Carlton Soccer Club is a defunct Australian association football club. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1997/98 season until round eight of the 2000/2001 season, after which it folded. The club was strongly linked to the Carlton Australian Rules club, and suffered from poor...
|
2–1 |
Olympic ParkOlympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
|
16,000 |
| 1998/1999 |
South MelbourneSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
|
Sydney UnitedSydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area...
|
3–2 |
Olympic ParkOlympic Park Stadium was a multi-purpose outdoor stadium located on Olympic Boulevard in inner Melbourne. The stadium was built as an athletics training venue for the 1956 Olympics, a short distance from the MCG, which served as the Olympic Stadium...
|
15,194 |
| 1999/2000 |
Wollongong WolvesThe South Coast Wolves Football Club is an Australian Association football club based in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia currently playing in the NSW Premier League.The club was formed in 2009 as a not for profit organisation, run and owned by the community since the financial...
|
Perth GloryPerth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
3–3 (7–6 on penalties) |
Subiaco OvalSubiaco Oval , known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia...
|
43,242 |
| 2000/2001 |
Wollongong WolvesThe South Coast Wolves Football Club is an Australian Association football club based in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia currently playing in the NSW Premier League.The club was formed in 2009 as a not for profit organisation, run and owned by the community since the financial...
|
South MelbourneSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
|
2–1 |
Parramatta Stadium Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
|
13,402 |
| 2001/2002 |
Sydney OlympicSydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
|
Perth GloryPerth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
1–0 |
Subiaco OvalSubiaco Oval , known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia...
|
42,735 |
| 2002/2003 |
Perth GloryPerth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
Sydney OlympicSydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
|
2–0 |
Subiaco OvalSubiaco Oval , known colloquially as Subi, is the highest capacity sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia...
|
38,111 |
| 2003/2004 |
Perth GloryPerth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
Parramatta Power Parramatta Power were a football team which was based in western Sydney. They played in the National Soccer League from season 1999/2000 until the league folded in 2004. The Power were runners up to Perth Glory in the 2003/04 season of the NSL after Perth made the Grand Final look easy in...
|
1–0 |
Parramatta Stadium Parramatta Stadium is a sports stadium situated in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.The stadium is used primarily as the home ground of Australian National Rugby League club the Parramatta Eels...
|
9,630 |
Performance by club
| Club |
Winners |
Runners-up |
Winning Years |
| Sydney City Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
|
4 |
3 |
1977, 1980, 1981, 1982 |
| Marconi Stallions The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
|
4 |
3 |
1979, 1988, 1989, 1992–93 |
South Melbourne FCSouth Melbourne FC is a football club based in South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.Considered the most successful association football club in Australia, they have won four national championships, a string of Victorian State League titles, and represented Oceania in the 2000 FIFA Club World...
|
4 |
2 |
1984, 1990–91, 1997–98, 1998–99 |
Adelaide CityAdelaide City is a football club in Adelaide, South Australia. They are also known as The Zebras. They played in the National Soccer League for 27 Seasons but withdrew just prior to the 2003/2004 season. They now play in the South Australian Super League. City won the inaugural Super League...
|
3 |
2 |
1986, 1991–92, 1993–94 |
| Sydney Olympic |
2 |
4 |
1989–90, 2001–02 |
Melbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
2 |
3 |
1994–95, 1995–96 |
Perth GloryPerth Glory Football Club is a professional football club in Perth, Western Australia, Australia, competing in Australia's top football competition the A-League. Perth Glory is one of only three clubs to survive from the now defunct National Soccer League...
|
2 |
2 |
2002–03, 2003–04 |
Wollongong WolvesThe South Coast Wolves Football Club is an Australian Association football club based in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia currently playing in the NSW Premier League.The club was formed in 2009 as a not for profit organisation, run and owned by the community since the financial...
|
2 |
0 |
1999-00, 2000–01 |
| St. George The St. George Saints Football Club are an Association football club based in the St. George region of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. The club plays its home games at St. George Stadium, after playing a brief stint at Belmore Sports Ground in the 2007-08. The St...
|
1 |
1 |
1983 |
| Brisbane Strikers |
1 |
0 |
1996–97 |
| APIA Leichhardt |
1 |
0 |
1987 |
| Brunswick Juventus Brunswick Juventus is an Australian association football club from Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club was a participant in the National Soccer League, where they were champions in 1985, and Victorian Premier League, in which they won eight titles...
|
1 |
0 |
1985 |
West AdelaideWest Adelaide Soccer Club is an Australian football club from Adelaide, Australia. Currently it plays in the FFSA State League Competition. It participated in the National Soccer League from the 1977 season until the end of the 1998/99 season, except for the periods 1987-89 and 1990-91. It was...
|
1 |
0 |
1978 |
| Sydney United |
0 |
3 |
1988, 1996–97, 1998–99 |
| Heidelberg United |
0 |
2 |
1979, 1980 |
Preston LionsThe Preston Lions Football Club are an Australian football club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
|
0 |
1 |
1987 |
| Carlton SC |
0 |
1 |
1997-98 |
| Parramatta Power Parramatta Power were a football team which was based in western Sydney. They played in the National Soccer League from season 1999/2000 until the league folded in 2004. The Power were runners up to Perth Glory in the 2003/04 season of the NSL after Perth made the Grand Final look easy in...
|
0 |
1 |
2003-04 |
External links