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Full name | Brisbane City Football Club | ||
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Nickname(s) | The Azzurri | ||
Founded | 1952 | ||
Ground | Spencer Park | ||
Capacity | 3,000 | ||
Chairman | Robert Rossi | ||
Head Coach | Karl Dodd | ||
League | NPL Queensland | ||
2023 | 4th of 12 | ||
Website | Club website | ||
Brisbane City Football Club is an Australian semi-professional football club based in Newmarket, Brisbane, Queensland. Founded in 1952, the club competed in the National Soccer League until the 1986 season where they were relegated back to State League Competition. Brisbane City competed in the National Premier Leagues Queensland from 2013, until they were relegated to the lower tier Football Queensland Premier League with one match remaining in the 2020 season. They then won 20 out of 20 matches in the 2021 season to earn immediate promotion back to the National Premier Leagues Queensland. Home matches are played at Spencer Park.
In 1977 City became a foundation member of the National Soccer League. City's first match was a 0–1 defeat to Marconi at Perry Park on 3 April 1977 in front of a crowd of 5,214. [1]
Despite struggling in the first two seasons, including finishing bottom, they won the NSL Cup in those two years. In 1977 City defeated Marconi 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw, and the following year they overcame Adelaide City 2–1. Both matches were played in Brisbane. City's third NSL season saw a much improved 4th-place finish which saw them qualify for the Top Four round robin series where they reached the Grand Final, losing to Sydney City 2–1 on aggregate.
1980 saw a reversal in fortunes with only four league wins recorded, but 1981 saw a battle for the NSL title, eventually finishing third, 8 points behind Champions Sydney City, with striker Paul Wilkinson weighing in with 12 goals. In those days the NSL compelled clubs to change any ethnic titles in their name, and as such City were occasionally referred to as Brisbane Gladiators around this time.
The following two seasons were a struggle, bottom of the table in 1982 was followed by third bottom in 1983, with city rivals Brisbane Lions bottom. It was tough times for NSL football in the city. For the following three seasons the NSL was increased in size but divided into two Conferences, with City finding themselves in the Southern Division alongside the Melbourne and Adelaide clubs. Fortunes didn't improve however and in 1987 with a return to a single division NSL and a reduction in clubs, City were relegated along with Brisbane Lions to the Queensland State League where they remain today bringing to an end ten successive seasons at national level.
The last NSL match at Spencer Park took place on 8 September 1986, a 0–0 draw with Sunshine George Cross in front of only 838 fans [2]
NSL Statistics by Season
Season | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts | Table Position |
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1977 | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 30 | 35 | 22 | 10th of 14 |
1978 | 26 | 7 | 3 | 16 | 29 | 49 | 17 | 14th of 14 |
1979 | 26 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 38 | 30 | 34 | 4th of 14 |
1980 | 26 | 4 | 10 | 12 | 29 | 36 | 18 | 12th of 14 |
1981 | 30 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 37 | 25 | 35 | 3rd of 16 |
1982 | 30 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 32 | 55 | 21 | 16th of 16 |
1983 | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 33 | 50 | 33 | 14th of 16 |
1984 | 28 | 8 | 5 | 15 | 21 | 39 | 21 | 11th of 12 (Sth) |
1985 | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 25 | 42 | 17 | 11th of 12 (Sth) |
1986 | 22 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 18 | 46 | 13 | 11th of 12 (Sth) |
(Pld)=Games Played, (W)=Wins, (D)=Draws, (L)=Losses, (GF)=Goals For, (GA)=Goals Against, (Pts)=Points, (Sth)=Southern Conference
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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The National Soccer League (NSL) was the top-level soccer league in Australia, run by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL, the A-League's predecessor, spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977 until its demise in 2004, when it was succeeded by the A-League competition run by Football Federation Australia, the successor to the Australian Soccer Association.
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Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian semi-professional association football club based in Fairfield, Sydney, New South Wales. The club has been crowned Australian champion four times.
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Brisbane Strikers Football Club is an Australian semi-professional football club based in Brisbane, Queensland. Founded in 1991 as Brisbane United, the club competed in the National Soccer League until the 2003–04 season and was one of two clubs contending for an A-League licence during the establishment of the league in 2004.
The 1977 National Soccer League season was the first season of the National Soccer League of Australia. The league was not only the first national soccer league in Australia but the first of any of the forms of football in Australia. Clubs predominantly joined from the top leagues in each state, with the exception of Tasmanian and Western Australia, and Canberra City forming in 1977 to join the league. The inaugural champions were Eastern Suburbs.
The 1978 National Soccer League was the second season of the National Soccer League, the former top-tier Australian soccer league, since its establishment in 1977. The premiers were West Adelaide.
The 1979 National Soccer League was the third season of the National Soccer League, the former top Australian semi-professional league for association football clubs since its establishment in 1977. Marconi Fairfield secured a first National Soccer League title.
The National Soccer League Cup was an annual knockout football competition in men's domestic Australian soccer organised by the Australian Soccer Federation between 1977 and 1997.
The 1977 season was the first in the National Soccer League for Adelaide City Football Club. In addition to the domestic league, Adelaide City competed in the NSL Cup. The record for most goals in a game in Australia, was set by Adelaide City and Mooroolbark where Adelaide won 10–3 in Adelaide.
The 1977 season was the first in the National Soccer League for Brisbane Lions. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the inaugural NSL Cup.
The 1977 season was the first in the history of Canberra City Football Club. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the NSL Cup.
The 1977 season was the first in the National Soccer League for Eastern Suburbs. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the inaugural NSL Cup. Eastern Suburbs won the inaugural National Soccer League on goal difference to Marconi Fairfield.
The 1983 season was the third in the history of Wollongong City. It was also the third season in the National Soccer League. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the NSL Cup. Wollongong City finished 15th in their National Soccer League season, and were eliminated in the NSL Cup first round by Canberra City.
The 1977 season was the first in the National Soccer League for Mooroolbark Soccer Club. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the NSL Cup. Mooroolbark finished 14th to be relegated in their National Soccer League season, and were eliminated in the NSL Cup second round by Fitzroy United.
The 1980 season was the third in the history of Newcastle KB United. It was also the third season in the National Soccer League. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the NSL Cup. Newcastle KB United finished 6th in their National Soccer League season, and were eliminated in the NSL Cup second round by Marconi Fairfield.
The 1983 season was the sixth in the history of Newcastle KB United. It was also the sixth season in the National Soccer League. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the NSL Cup. Newcastle KB United finished 5th in their National Soccer League season, and were eliminated in the NSL Cup second round by Sydney Olympic.
The 1988 season was the eighth in the history of Wollongong City. It was the seventh season in the National Soccer League. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the NSL Cup. Wollongong City finished 1st in their National Soccer League season, and were eliminated in the NSL Cup first round by Brisbane Lions.
The 1979 season was the first in the National Soccer League for APIA Leichhardt Football Club. In addition to the domestic league, they also participated in the NSL Cup. APIA Leichhardt finished 8th in their National Soccer League season, and were eliminated in the second round of the NSL Cup.