 | This article needs additional citations for
verification. (December 2016) |
| Australian League (1st tier) |
|---|
|
National Soccer League (1977–2004) A-League Men (2005–present) |
| Country |
 Australia
|
| Founded |
| 1977 |
| Number of teams |
| 12 (since 2020–21 season) |
| Current champions |
| Central Coast Mariners ( 2022–23) |
| Most successful club |
| Sydney FC (5 championships) |
The Australian soccer champions are the winners of the highest league in Australian men's soccer, which since 2005–06 is currently the A-League Men.
The National Soccer League was established in 1977. At the end of the 1977 season, Sydney City (now Hakoah Sydney City East) were the first club to be crowned champions.
As is the case in most Australian sports, the winners of a post-season playoffs competition, known as the Finals, has traditionally been crowned champion, unlike the first-past-the-post system used in many other countries. The team that finished first-past-the-post was often referred to as the Minor Premiers while the Finals winning team was awarded the Premiership. In an attempt to create more prestige around the first-past-the-post title, it was renamed the Premiership and the finals winning team is now awarded the Championship.
Background
In 1977, the Australian Soccer Association established the National Soccer League (NSL) of Australia, [1] which included teams from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The competition ran a promotion-relegation system for its entire lifespan as well as a knockout cup competition.
For the first seven seasons, the NSL awarded the championship to the team that finished first-past-the-post and was dominated by Sydney-based teams. By the mid-80s, the league had introduced a post-season playoffs competition that would crown the champions and the title was shared more evenly around the nation. Seasons initially ran over the winter months until 1989 when it was changed to the summer months to avoid conflicts with Australian rules football and the two rugby codes. By 2000, each major capital city had secured at least one NSL title outside of Perth. The Perth Glory made history in 2002–03 when they were crowned champions and the victory meant the five major cities of Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney had all secured at least one NSL title over the duration of the league's history.
The National Soccer League was disbanded in 2004 and an 8-team A-League Men competition was established in 2005, which included a salary cap and no promotion-relegation. Adelaide, Newcastle and Perth were the only NSL teams retained in the new competition. It included one team from each of the major capital cities, two regional teams and a team from New Zealand. As is the case in many sporting leagues in Australia, a New Zealand-based team has been allowed entry into the top tiered Australian league since 1999. The decision to retain a New Zealand-based team in the top league has proved problematic in recent years due to Football Federation Australia's decision to move from the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation in 2006. As a result, a New Zealand-based team can be crowned Premiers and/or Champions of Australia but is ineligible to compete in the Asian Champions League. [2]
Lists of champions
| Season(s) | Format |
|---|---|
| 1977 to 1983 | First placed team |
| 1984 to 1986 | Grand Final winning team |
| 1987 | First placed team |
| 1988 onwards | Grand Final winning team |
National Soccer League (1977–2004)
A-League Men (2005–present)
Total championships won
There are 21 clubs who have won an Australian championship (either by winning the grand final or finishing top of the league in the seasons without a grand final), including eight who have won the A-League Men (2005–present). The most recent clubs to win their inaugural championship were Western United (2021–22 champions), Melbourne City (2020–21) and Adelaide United (2015–16).
Six teams have finished as runner-up without ever winning the championship: Heidelberg United (1979, 1980), Preston Lions (1987), Sydney United 58 (1988, 1996–97, 1998–99), Carlton (1997–98), Parramatta Power (2003–04) and Western Sydney Wanderers (2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16).
Teams in bold compete in the A-League Men as of the 2023–24 season.
| Rank | Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sydney FC | 5 | 2 | 2005–06, 2009–10, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20 |
| 2 | Hakoah Sydney City East | 4 | 3 | 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982 |
| Marconi Stallions | 1979, 1988, 1989, 1992–93 | |||
| South Melbourne | 2 | 1984, 1990–91, 1997–98, 1998–99 | ||
| Melbourne Victory | 2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15, 2017–18, | |||
| 6 | Adelaide City | 3 | 2 | 1986, 1991–92, 1993–94 |
| Brisbane Roar | 0 | 2010–11, 2011–12, 2013–14 | ||
| 8 | Sydney Olympic | 2 | 4 | 1989–90, 2001–02 |
| Perth Glory | 2002–03, 2003–04 | |||
| Melbourne Knights | 3 | 1994–95, 1995–96 | ||
| Central Coast Mariners | 2012–13, 2022–23 | |||
| Wollongong Wolves | 0 | 1999–2000, 2000–01 | ||
| 13 | Melbourne City | 1 | 3 | 2020–21 |
| Adelaide United | 2 | 2015–16 | ||
| Newcastle Jets | 1 | 2007–08 | ||
| West Adelaide | 0 | 1978 | ||
| St George | 1983 | |||
| Brunswick Juventus | 1985 | |||
| APIA Leichhardt | 1987 | |||
| Brisbane Strikers | 1996–97 | |||
| Western United | 2021–22 |
By city
| City | Championships | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 17 | Sydney FC (5), Hakoah Sydney City East (4), Marconi Fairfield (4), Sydney Olympic (2), St George (1), APIA Leichhardt (1) |
| Melbourne | 13 | South Melbourne (4), Melbourne Victory (4), Melbourne Knights (2), Brunswick Juventus (1), Melbourne City (1), Western United (1) |
| Adelaide | 5 | Adelaide City (3), West Adelaide (1), Adelaide United (1) |
| Brisbane | 4 | Brisbane Roar (3), Brisbane Strikers (1) |
| Gosford | 2 | Central Coast Mariners (2) |
| Perth | 2 | Perth Glory (2) |
| Wollongong | 2 | Wollongong Wolves (2) |
| Newcastle | 1 | Newcastle Jets (1) |
Australian soccer champions map
Lists of premiers
National Soccer League (1977–2004)
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adding to it. (April 2024) |
A-League Men (2005–present)
| Season | Premiers (number of titles) |
|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Adelaide United |
| 2006–07 | Melbourne Victory |
| 2007–08 | Central Coast Mariners |
| 2008–09 | Melbourne Victory (2) |
| 2009–10 | Sydney FC |
| 2010–11 | Brisbane Roar |
| 2011–12 | Central Coast Mariners (2) |
| 2012–13 | Western Sydney Wanderers |
| 2013–14 | Brisbane Roar (2) |
| 2014–15 | Melbourne Victory (3) |
| 2015–16 | Adelaide United (2) |
| 2016–17 | Sydney FC (2) |
| 2017–18 | Sydney FC (3) |
| 2018–19 | Perth Glory |
| 2019–20 | Sydney FC (4) |
| 2020–21 | Melbourne City |
| 2021–22 | Melbourne City (2) |
| 2022–23 | Melbourne City (3) |
| 2023–24 |
Total Premierships won
Teams in bold competed in the A-League as of the 2023–24 season.
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney FC | 4
|
2
|
2009–10, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20 |
| Melbourne Knights | 4
|
1
|
1990–91, 1991–92, 1993–94, 1994–95 |
| Perth Glory | 4
|
1
|
1999–2000, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2018–19 |
| South Melbourne | 3
|
5
|
1992–93, 1997–98, 2000–01 |
| Melbourne Victory | 3
|
2
|
2006–07, 2008–09, 2014–15 |
| Sydney United | 3
|
2
|
1986, 1996–97, 1998–99 |
| Marconi Stallions | 3
|
1
|
1989, 1989–90, 1995–96 |
| Melbourne City | 3
|
1
|
2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23 |
| Adelaide United | 2
|
2
|
2005–06, 2015–16 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 2
|
3
|
2007–08, 2011–12 |
| Brisbane Roar | 2
|
1
|
2010–11, 2013–14 |
| Sydney City | 2
|
0
|
1984, 1985 |
| Sydney Olympic | 1
|
3
|
2002–03 |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | 1
|
2
|
2012–13 |
| Wollongong Wolves | 1
|
2
|
1988 |
National Cup winners
| Cup winners also won the NSL/ A-League Men Championship that season | |
| Cup winners also won the NSL/ A-League Men Premiership that season | |
| Cup winners also won the NSL/ A-League Men Championship and Premiership that season |
Australia Cup
| Season | Cup Winner (number of titles) |
Score | Runners-up | Clubs participating |
Top goalscorer | Goals [3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Sydney Yugal (1) | 8–1 | St. George Budapest | 16 |
Tiko Jelisavcic (Sydney Yugal)
|
6 |
| 1963 | Slavia Melbourne (1) | 0–0 3–2 |
Polonia Melbourne | 24 |
Des Palmer (Slavia Melbourne)
|
6 |
| 1964 | George Cross (1) | 3–2 ( a.e.t.) | APIA Leichhardt | 19 |
John Giacometti (APIA Leichhardt)
|
7 |
| 1965 | Sydney Hakoah (1) | 1–1 (13–13
p) 2–1 (replay) |
APIA Leichhardt | 13 |
 Hugo Rodriguez (St George Budapest)
|
6 |
| 1966 | APIA Leichhardt (1) | 2–0 | Sydney Hakoah | 16 |
John Giacometti (APIA Leichhardt)
Herbert Ninaus (Sydney Hakoah)
|
4 |
| 1967 | Melbourne Hungaria (1) | 4–3 | APIA Leichhardt | 16 |
Attila Abonyi (Melbourne Hungaria)
Johnny Watkiss (APIA Leichhardt)
|
6 |
| 1968 | Sydney Hakoah (2) | 3–0 3–1 |
Melbourne Hakoah | 18 |
Jimmy Armstrong (Melbourne Hakoah)
Willie Rutherford (Sydney Hakoah)
|
4 |
NSL Cup
FFA Cup / Australia Cup
Total Cups won
| Club | Winners | Runners-up | Winning seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| APIA Leichhardt | 3
|
3
|
1966, 1982, 1988 |
| Adelaide United | 3
|
1
|
2014, 2018, 2019 |
| Adelaide City | 3
|
1
|
1979, 1989, 1991–92 |
| Sydney City | 3
|
1
|
1965, 1968, 1986 |
| Sydney Olympic | 2
|
2
|
1983, 1985 |
| Parramatta Eagles | 2
|
1
|
1990–91, 1993–94 |
| South Melbourne | 2
|
1
|
1989–90, 1995–96 |
| Sydney FC | 2
|
1
|
2017, 2023 |
| Brisbane City | 2
|
0
|
1977, 1978 |
| Melbourne Victory | 2
|
0
|
2015, 2021 |
| Heidelberg United | 1
|
4
|
1992–93 |
| Marconi Stallions | 1
|
3
|
1980 |
| Melbourne Knights | 1
|
1
|
1994–95 |
| Sydney United | 1
|
1
|
1987 |
| Brisbane Roar | 1
|
0
|
1981 5 |
| Collingwood Warriors | 1
|
0
|
1996–97 |
| George Cross | 1
|
0
|
1964 |
| Macarthur FC | 1
|
0
|
2022 |
| Melbourne City | 1
|
0
|
2016 |
| Melbourne Hungaria | 1
|
0
|
1967 |
| Newcastle Rosebud | 1
|
0
|
1984 |
| Slavia Melbourne | 1
|
0
|
1963 |
| Sydney Yugal | 1
|
0
|
1962 |
Continental Champions
Oceania Club Championship
| Season | Champions (number of titles) |
Score | Runners-up | Number of clubs participating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Adelaide City (1) | 1–1 (4–1 p) |
University-Mount Wellington
|
9 |
| 1999 | South Melbourne (1) | 5–1 |
Nadi
|
9 |
| 2001 | Wollongong Wolves (1) | 1–0 |
Tafea
|
11 |
| 2005 | Sydney FC (1) | 2–0 |
Magenta
|
13 |
Oceania Cup Winners' Cup
| Season | Champions (number of titles) |
Score | Runners-up | Number of clubs participating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Sydney City (1) | 2–0 |
North Shore United
|
2 |
AFC Champions League
| Season | Champions (number of titles) |
Score | Runners-up | Number of clubs participating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Western Sydney Wanderers (1) |
1–0 0–0 |
Al-Hilal
|
47 |
Multiple trophy wins
The Double
| Continental Double OFC (1966–2004) / AFC (2005–present) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | Titles |
| South Melbourne | 1998–99
|
NSL Premiership, Oceania Club Championship |
| Wollongong Wolves | 2000–01
|
NSL Premiership, Oceania Club Championship |
The Treble
| Domestic Treble (Season) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Season | Titles |
| Melbourne Knights | 1994–95
|
NSL Minor Premiership, NSL Premiership, NSL Cup |
Note: In the 2008–09 season Melbourne Victory won all three pieces of A-League silverware on offer, the Pre-Season Challenge Cup, the Premiership, and the Championship.
| Domestic Treble (Calendar Year) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Year | Titles |
| Melbourne Victory | 2015
|
A-League Premiership, A-League Championship, FFA Cup |
| Sydney FC | 2017
|
A-League Premiership, A-League Championship, FFA Cup |
Pre-Season Cup winners
Australian Club World Championship Qualifying Tournament
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Clubs participating |
Top goalscorer | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Sydney FC | 1–0 | Central Coast Mariners | 7 |
Nik Mrdja (Central Coast Mariners)
|
3 |
A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Clubs participating |
Top goalscorer | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Central Coast Mariners | 1–0 | Perth Glory | 8 |
Bobby Despotovski (Perth Glory)
Nik Mrdja (Central Coast Mariners)
Sasho Petrovski (Sydney FC)
|
3 |
| 2006 | Adelaide United | 1–1 (5–4 p) | Central Coast Mariners | 8 |
Danny Allsopp (Melbourne Victory)
Alex Brosque (Sydney FC)
Sasho Petrovski (Sydney FC)
Carl Veart (Adelaide United)
|
3 |
| 2007 | Adelaide United | 2–1 | Perth Glory | 8 |
Cássio (Adelaide United)
Bruce Djite (Adelaide United)
Joel Griffiths (Newcastle Jets)
Simon Lynch (Queensland Roar)
Shane Smeltz (Wellington Phoenix)
|
3 |
| 2008 | Melbourne Victory | 0–0 (8–7 p) | Wellington Phoenix | 8 |
Cássio (Adelaide United)
Sergio van Dijk (Queensland Roar)
|
2 |
Note: All seasons were exclusive to A-League clubs only.
Multiple title winners
Clubs in bold play in the A-League.
| Team | Champions | League Premiers | Cup Winners | Continental Winners | Pre-Season Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney FC | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
| Melbourne Victory | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | 1 | 10 |
| South Melbourne | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Sydney City | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Marconi Stallions | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 8 |
| Adelaide United | 1 | 2 | 3 | — | 2 | |
| Adelaide City | 3 | — | 3 | 1 | — | 7 |
| Melbourne Knights | 2 | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brisbane Roar | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 6 |
| Perth Glory | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Sydney Olympic | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 5 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 2 | 2 | — | — | 1 | |
| Melbourne City | 1 | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Wollongong Wolves | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | — | 4 |
| Sydney United | — | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| APIA Leichhardt | — | 1 | 3 | — | — | |
| St George | 2 | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| Western Sydney Wanderers | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brisbane City | — | — | 2 | — | — |
See also
Notes
- ^ Hakoah Sydney City East were known as Sydney City until 1987.
- ^ Marconi Stallions were known as Marconi Fairfield until 2004.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Also won Premiers.
- ^ Brunswick Zebras were known as Brunswick Juventus until 1993.
- ^ a b Also won the NSL Cup.
- ^ Also won the A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l This season's competition was exclusive to NSL clubs.
- ^ In 2016 the FFA confirmed Brisbane Roar assumed all of the Brisbane Lions FC's NSL history and were therefore credited the 1981 NSL Cup honour. [4]
References
- ^ Hay, Roy; Murray, Bill, eds. (2006). The world game downunder. Melbourne: Australian Society for Sports History. p. 120. ISBN 0975761668.
- ^ Phoenix seek Champions League resolution
- ^ Andrew Robinson (8 June 2016). "Australia Cup 1962–1968".
- ^ "FFA amalgamate A-League and NSL honours for new national list of records". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 January 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
- ^ "Coronavirus forces FFA Cup to be cancelled". The World Game. SBS. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
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