| Timeline of Australian Football |
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| Monday, 11 August 2008 10:00 | |
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Timeline of Australian Football (Soccer) 1850 This is one of the earliest accounts of 'football' being played in Melbourne. Edmund Finn, under the pen-name Garryowen, wrote several sketches of early Melbourne. His works were collected and published in 1888, as The Chronicles of Early Melbourne: 1835 to 1852. THE FIRST FOOTBALL MATCH. This now favourite pastime was not much practised by the Victorian ancients, possibly because they were either too bent on money making—which was only too often recklessly spent in dissipation — or that there was no native element sufficiently adolescent to take part in such a rough and ready mode of enjoyment. Occasional private matches used to come off, but no regularly advertised trial of "footing" was known until the 26th August 1850, when there was a numerous convention of "kickers" at Emerald Hill. It was intended that a football match should be run as an item of the gymnastic sports, at the racecourse a fortnight before, but it was then treated to a kick over. Messrs. Francis Stephen and Dalmahoy Campbell were, however, resolved that a football match there should be, and it was through their exertions the present one was worked. Two elevens were scratched by the gentlemen mentioned from two hundred persons, the first pick, or "scratch," being decided by a toss up. The following are the names :— Messrs. F. Stephen (Captain), Mills, F. Warman, Colgin, Ewers, Wood, Butler, Clancy, Smith, W. Barry, Collins. Messrs. D. Campbell (Captain), C. Campbell, Barry, Dowling, W. Warman, Brodie, Fender, Wilson, Carew, Hinton, Cain. The entrance was 10s. each, the £11 to be pocketed by the winners. For two and a half hours the match was contested with much spirit. Great good humour prevailed, and the Stephenites, after a stiff struggle, were proclaimed the conquerors. The captains, at either side, were gentlemen of the numerous colonial tribe of Stephen, so well-known as "Frank,'' and the other a member of the clan-Campbell, never called anything but "Dal." "Frank" is still amongst us, as the City Solicitor, the projector of a life-boat of alleged marvellous properties, and the inventor of the once popular political slang term, "Old Hat." "Dal" has long ago gone under; but while overground was universally esteemed as a stock and station salesman, and a genuine good fellow. In his day he was a City Councillor, an expert in judging the qualities of fat cattle, and testing samples of whisky; and though last, not least, one of the best hand-ball players in Port Phillip. 1876 A letter in the Brisbane Courier.  1877 A letter to Sydney Morning Herald.  1879 A letter to the Argus. 11 Aug 1879 ENGLISH AND AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS Sir,—Having witnessed the game played to-day between the Melbourne and Geelong Clubs, kindly allow me to make a suggestion which I have no doubt, if carried into effect, will be an improvement on the Victorian game. My suggestion is that the Association rules, as played in the old country with the greatest success, should at least be tried here, so that the public can judge for themselves between the two. Being myself a member of the Queen's park Football Club, Glasgow, I should like to see the association rules introduced into the colony, and for myself have no doubt of their ultimately being a success. The association rules mean simply football alone—that is, there is no handling the ball at all, except by the goalkeepers, and a player touching the ball with his hand, the opposite side claim a free kick. It is a pleasanter game to witness than the Victorian game, as brute force which, I think, and have no doubt many others will endorse what I say, predominates too much in the Victorian game, is to a certain extant dispensed with where the association rules are played. My proposal is that the Melbourne clubs in the spirit of fair play should take the matter up and play a few games, and I shall be most happy to provide them with the rules. if not already in their possession. Of course the association game will be a new feature in the colony, and as the Victorian game has obtained a great hold on the public, I should like that all prejudice should be put aside so as to allow the new game to be thoroughly tried. I may mention that the association rules have taken precedence over the Rugby rules in Scotland and are gradually becoming the favourite game in England. Apologising for taking up so much space in. your columns.—I am, &c., S.G.H. 1880 12th July (Sydney) : A Letter to the Editor of the Sydney Herald, written by 'Half-back' wishes to form a club or association to play football according to the rules of the English Association. 3rd August (Sydney) : A public meeting was held at Aarons Exchange Hotel with the view of establishing Association football. Over 40 people were in attendance and the meeting was chaired by a Mr Burkitt. Mr J.W. Fletcher gave a speech in which he describes that football had been in an uncertain state for quite sometime, and the time is now right for a movement to be started, with a desire to establish Association Football in Sydney. He also mentions that he has letters of support from many in Sydney and the country. On behalf of the committee he had then arranged the first football match in Australia. 14th August (Sydney) : The 1st recorded game was played on Parramatta Common in Sydney. Students from The King's School First XV rugby squad made up one team. The other side, later named Wanderers , was the first Association Football club in the land. They easily won the game 5-0 and the team was made up of T.A. Todd (Capt), W.J. Baker, J.W. Fletcher, C.E. Hewlett, W. Robertson, C.P. Fletcher, Mr. Wastinage, W. Chapman, C.P. Stephens, D. Roxburgh, W. Simson and J. Scott (goal). Click on a image to enlarge    19th August (Sydney) J.W. Fletcher presented the committee's proposals to a meeting of faithful for the official establishment of 'The Wanderers' Football Club. 21st August (Sydney) : The Wanderers take on newly formed St Paul of Redfern, who would later be known as Arcadians. The game, which was played in Moore Park, was won by the Wanderers 2-0. As Secretary of the The 'NSW Wanderers' club, J.W. Fletcher writes to the English FA requesting that his club, The NSW Wanderers, be enrolled in the British Association. 1881 4th June (Sydney) : A match takes place between teams selected by J.W. Fletcher and Mr Raper at Moore Park. This game was originally scheduled to be played on the Association Cricket ground but due to the state of the ground (waterlogged), the game was moved. Later that month, The Wanderers play Redfern again, winning 11-2, and it is reported that at the last meeting of the English Association held in Sheffield, an unanimous vote was in favour of an Antipodean tour at the end of the 1882-1883 seasons. 1882  1883 30th March (Melbourne) : A meeting of gentlemen favourable to the formation of a football club under the British Football Association rules was held at Young and Jacksons Hotel on Friday night. Over 30 gentlemen were present. Mr W Niven occupied the chair and stated the object of the meeting. In order to test whether the game would be popular or not here, it would be best to form a club. On the motion of C Kier, seconded by Mr F Lowe, it was decided that a club be formed to play under the British Association rules. It was resolved that the club be called the Anglo-Australian. The following gentlemen were elected as temporary office bearers - Captain, C Kier, vice-captain F Lowe, secretary and treasurer JC Teare and committe, Messrs Smith, Buchanan, Niven, Brough and Keef. 18th August (Melbourne) : First Interstate game was played between NSW and Victoria infront of 2000 spectators at the East Melbourne Cricket Ground. The game finished 2-2. The next game, played at South Melbourne, also finished 2-2. The Victorian team : Keefe, Kier (Capt), McLaren, Law, Spence, F.Ware, H.J. Almond, Teare, A.A. Howard, J. McCallum, Riddel and Laird.       1884 28th Feb (Melbourne) : A meeting of the Anglo-Australian Association Football Club, which was formed last year to introduce the English association's rules, will be held tonight at Young and Jacksons Hotel, at 8'oclock, to make final arrangements for forming clubs in the various suburbs. All gentlemen wishing to help in this movement are invited to attend or send their names. 29th Feb : The Anglo-Australian Association Club held a most successful meeting at Young and Jacksons Hotel last night. Mr H. H. Smith in the chair. Many new names were handed in. It is expected that eight strong clubs will be formed in and near Melbourne in connextion (that’s how it's spelled) with the association, and that after three seasons' practice here, a strong team will be sent home under the patronage if the English association. It was reported by a gentleman just out from home that the prospect of such an event was causing already no little talk in England and Scotland. Favourable news is expected from England by every mail. It was reported from Ballarat that a club would be formed there this season. On July 26th, NSW host Victoria in an intercolonial match played at the Agricultural Society Ground. The game was played under unfavourable conditions as it rained all afternoon, turning the pitch into a swamp. NSW beat Victoria 4 goals to 1 with Kerr scoring a hatrick. Two days later, the teams met again in a 1-1 draw. 2nd May (Brisbane) : A meeting is held in the Australian Hotel of men favourable of playing the Association game in Brisbane. The meeting was chaired by Mr. W. McLauchan and there was a good attendance. They agreed to form the Anglo-Queensland Football Association and the 1st team was formed, St Andrews with former Queen's Park (Glasgow) player D. MCreadie, president and club captain. The following day, a practice match took place in Brisbane's Queens Park. 19th September (Brisbane) : Rangers FC hold it's 1st Annual Ball at the Protestant Hall in Brisbane.       1885 July 28th : Via the efforts of Mr A E Gibbs, The English Football Association invites an Australia football side to visit England. The Anglo-Australian Football Association in Melbourne resolved to accept this invitation to send a team and that all members be Australian born. The Queensland and NSW Associations will join Victoria in the selection of the team. Mr. A. E. Gibbs (His Gallery) was one of the pioneers of "soccer" football in Victoria; born in Stafforshire, he was a member of the Calthorpe Club, and played against West Bromwich Albion the first season the latter club appeared in the competition for the English Cup, and were defeated. He also played for "the Upton Park team. In 1883 he arrived in Melbourne and was employed by Colonial Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd as a clerk. He was an enthusiastic devotee of the game, and commenced to educate the people in the fine art of the game. His enthusiasm was contagious, with the result that a club was formed and flourished for four years, but after he left for Dunedin in 1887, the interest in the game gradually declined. 6 clubs compete in the Southern British Football Association Badge Series in NSW. They are The Wanderers, Arcadians, Caledonians, Canterbury, Pyrmont Rangers and Young Mens Field Association. NSW tours Victoria and is beaten 3-0 the home side.                      1886 First request by Australian officials for a visit by an English team Secretary of the Anglo-Australian Football Association (Melbourne), Mr A E Gibbs sends a letter to the Queensland association stating that an intercolonial match between Victoria and NSW is to take place on July 10th, and that they would be glad if a team from Queensland could attend. The letter also stated that there was to be a conference held on the July 9th, to consider the question of sending a football team to England. The Anglo-Queensland Football Association agreed to reply to Mr Gibbs stating that they were not in a position to entertain their proposals and they considered it absurd to consider the question of sending a team to home (England). 'Queenslanders' club formed in Ipswich. Bundamba Rovers apply to join the Queensland British Football Association. On the May 8th, 400 spectators turn up to see the 1st game of the Queensland season between St Andrews and Queens Park. In Rockhampton the Fitzroy Ramblers are formed after a meeting at the Belmore Arms. 25 members were signed up. Victoria tours NSW and is beaten 3-0 by the home side.            1887 24th May (Sydney) : A Sydney combined side take on Newcastle and win 2-1. Thistle Football Club formed in Brisbane on 2nd June at the Criterion Hotel. At the meeting it was agreed that the team would adopt the following uniform, blue jersey and white knickerbockers and that membership would cost 5 shillings. NSW tour Victoria and plays two matches against combined club sides. In the 1st game, a combined team from South Melbourne and Carlton defeat the NSW side 2-0. A Melbourne Rovers and Prahan combination draw 2-2 in the next fixture. 1888 Gardiner Cup begins in NSW. 28th July (Sydney) : Victoria defeats NSW 2-1 at the NSW Association Ground. 30th July (Sydney) : Sydney District side draw 1-1 with the visiting Victorians. 31st July (Sydney) : Sydney draw 1-1 with Victoria. 13th October (Brisbane) : Bundamba and Thistles play off for the AQFA Cup at Five Ways, Woolloongabba. Infront of 300 spectators, Thistles run out easy winners, 5-1.             1889  1890 (Melbourne) Carlton defeat South Melbourne in the final of the Beaney Cup, which they had held for the 3 years prior. Carlton were also holders of the George and George Cup. In the Intercolonial match between NSW and Queensland played at Botany on August 17th. The game was tied at halftime 1-1 before the Queenslanders kicked away in the 2nd half leading 3-1. The game was eventually called off after NSW player Logan broke his lower leg in a collision with Queensland player Menzies, who also suffered broken ribs. Seven days later, the return match took place at Ashfield Recreation Ground with Queensland running out winners 1-0.         1891 Queensland club Blackstone Rovers hold an Annual General Meeting and annouce a profit 3 pounds and 15 shillings. 20 June : Blackstone Rovers were 5 -1 ahead of Ipswich in a game, however the ball burst shortly before the end of the game. The result stood.    1892     1893 Premiership of four clubs inaugurated on the South Coast / Illawarra of NSW in the South Coast British Football Association. Brisbane rep side selected for game at Gympie.  1894 Charity Cup proposed by Queensland British Football Association. Six teams participate : Normans, Rosebank, Bush Rats, Blackstone Rovers, Athletics and South Brisbane. Rosebank win the QBFA league and the club has an end of season profit of 1 pound 1 shilling. The Association posted an end of year profit of 1 pound 10 shillings. In the NSW Gardiner Cup final Pyrmont Rangers defeated Park Groves 7 goals to 2, in wet conditions.       1895 NSW Selection trials are held with a 'Scottish Born' side taking on an 'English Born' lineup. Sydney draw 2-2 with Newcastle at the Sydney Showground. The return match played in Newcastle saw the home side triumph 5-0 over their Sydney based counterparts, with Jim Curran scoring a hatrick.
The first time nets were used in NSW was in 1895 when the Balmain and Thistle clubs played on Birchgrove Oval. On the 21st September, in a Queensland British Football Association match, the Bushrats thump Rosebank 7 goals to 1. Earlier that year, the Charity Cup arrived via the ship Duke of Devonshire. Manufactured by Walker and Hall in Sheffield UK, the trophy was valued at 52 pounds and was on display in the window of Foster and Kelks, located in Brisbane.     1896 First official administration begins in Western Australia Queensland British Football Association announce 1st round Cup ties : Rangers Vs Normans, in Brisbane, Bushrats Vs Rovers in Dinmore and Rosebanks have a bye. It was also decided to begin a junior competition, which eventually began on June 27th with 5 teams participating : Thistles, Second Bush Rats, Royal Stars, Marickville and Moretons. Balmain defeat Pyrmont Rangers 3-1 in the final of Kerr Cup      1897       1898 6th August : Queensland play NSW for the 1st time in Brisbane, at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. In fine weather conditions, only 2000 people turned up to watch the match. NSW were victorious 3 goals to 2. The teams were : New South Wales. - Goal, A. Baillie ; backs, A. Jackson, J. Gibson ; half-backs, Syd. Watson, W. Harrison,, J. Syms ; forwards, A. Rae, J. Carey, C. Yorke, T. Hobson, and A. Tronholm. Queensland.- Goal, T. Morris ; backs, S. Shelley (capt) and J. Routledge. half-backs, M. Finlayson, A. Smith, and A. Dobbie ; forwards, J. Jack, D. Quinn, F. McKenna, J. Dobbie and J. Bullock. In the return match a week later, Queensland reversed the result of the 1st encounter winning 3-2, in 'unfavourable conditions' infront of a small crowd.      1899 The Wellington Football Association (NZ) meet to discuss the possibility of forming the Australiasian Association Football Federation, with the various Australian Associations. It was stated that there had been little progress due to the 'apathetic attitude' of the Australians.      1901   1902 The NSW Referee's Union was formed. Competition begins in SA - three clubs Woodville, North Adelaide, South Adelaide 1903 English cricketer Gilbert Jessop requests a £3000 guarantee to bring out to Australia and New Zealand, an English Association football team. Games would be played in NSW, Western Australia, Wellington and Dunedin.    1904 NSW travels to New Zealand.       1905 New Zealand tours NSW.         1906 100 Clubs registered in NSW 1908     1909 1912   1913 Interstate game between NSW and Victoria reinstated after 25 years. 1914 Commonwealth Referee's Association Formed 1915  1916 8th August : The South Hobart Club present the Fater of Tasmanian Football, JB Honeysett with a gold smoking pipe as a small token of their appreciation for him introducing 'the beautiful and clever game of association football to them'. Honeysett's son JH, would later travel to France and fight in WWI where he was wounded.    1917 James (Judy) Masters (1898-1955) was born in Balgownie, Southern NSW, into a football family and captained his school team at the age of 12. He joined Balgownie in 1901 and was selected for the senior team at the age of 15 in 1904. Masters went on to captain Balgownie, South Coast, NSW and Australia, playing 22 times for the national team, including 13 full Internationals, scoring 12 goals and captaining from 1923 to 1925. Know as the 'Little Master', he was recognised in his centre forward role as one of Australia's best players before and during his time. He joined the Army in World War One and led an AIF team which was formed in France when peace came in 1918. During his career, Masters was never cautioned by a referee in more than 400 club and representative games. 1919 8 teams in Victoria.      1920 23 July (Melbourne) : Soccer enthusiasts are delighted at the re-establishment of the annual "international" match, which is to be played at Fitzroy on Saturday. The game was played each year before the war, but when the tocain sounded for the "greater game'* there was no Englishman left to play, and so the British Association code languished. Now back from the front the "soccer" men are at their game again, and the international England v. Scotland will be played on Saturday. The teams are as follows : English.-J. Robinson, J Lamb, R Longthorp, W Barrett, P, O'Hara, J Grieve, G. Brown, G. Maxwell. W Church, and E. Thomas. Scotch : J Baird, J. Ogilvy, G. Raitt, J. Sheppard, J. Cameron, T. Spencer, W. Biggart, R Robertson, T. Lowe, L. Carr, and A. Fletcher. One thousand spectators turn up to Middle Park to see Melbourne Thistle take on Osborne House (Geelong Submarine Base). There were 16 teams competing in Victoria.    1921 The conference of the Commonwealth Football Association, which has been proceeding for the last three days in the Victorian Amateur Athletic Association rooms, came to an end yesterday, when the visiting delegates left for Sydney.        1922 First International tour by an Australian National team - to New Zealand     1923 At the Amateur Sports Club yesterday the annual conference of the Commonwealth Football Association (Soccer) was commenced. Hong Kong "Chinese" University team tours. Australia and New Zealand compete for the 'Anzac Ashes' - The Secretary of the Queensland Football Association donated a Razor Case he had with him at Gallipoli during WW1. The two captains, Gibb (Australia) and Campbell (New Zealand) smoked cigars at two dinners arranged on the tour. The cigar ashes were then put into the mounted razor case (please see image).       1924 Canadian team visits - plays 6 games. See the Canadian tour gallery HERE The Argus Newspaper reports that in 1923 40 gross of soccer balls were manufactured. In 1924 that figure rose to 144. This was of concern to the Victorian Football Association (Aussie Rules) The Commonwealth Football Association receives a telegram from London confirming that an English FA tour will take place next year beginning in May. £6,500 was initially raised to fund the tour and it was estimated by the CFA, that £8,000 to £9,000 would eventually be needed. An appeal was made to the various State Associations, including teams and supporters to help raise the funds. 1925 4th April (London) : The English FA team leave Tilbury, travelling to Australia by the steamer Orsova. The FA team manager was 70 year old John Lewis. See the English FA Tour Gallery HERE At the MCG 10,600 spectators turned up to see the match between Australia and England. It is reported that at 2.30pm the crowd was small but in the last half hour, the crowd came very thickly. A ticket to the stand cost 3/6, whilst a general admission ticket was 2/. The MCG authorities were extremely pleased at the 995 pounds that were taken in gate receipts. 8th March (Melbourne) : A 5-a-side tournament is held at Newport's ground. Twenty four teams entered the knockout competition, with teams from Geelong, Lincoln Mills, Preston, Footscray Thistle, Brunswick, Spotswood and Albert Park taking part. 26th May (Melbourne) : The English FA team travel to Olinda for a bush lunch before heading to Sydney. 6th June (Melbourne) : A dispute between the Referee's Association and the Victorian Amateur British Football League resulted in the referees refusing to to take the field. Volunteers stood in, and the round was played.  1926 Colac defeat Fords in the final of Western District Soccer Football Association, Madden Cup 2-0. Fords lsot player Allen early in the match after a collision with Colac halfback Lees. He was transported to hosital with concussion. William George Madden was a Geelong real estate agent, President of the WDSFA as well as Vice-President of the Victorian Soccer Association. He passed away 2 years later, and in his will, left 25 pounds to the WDSFA. Nearly 70 teams, including junior sides, compete in the 1st round of the Victorian Soccer season. 22 January (Melbourne) : The council of the Victorian Amateur British Football Association and members of the Victorian League, the Victorian Referees' Association, and the Junior Association, met at the Amateur Sports Club last night to bid farewell to Mr. A.E Gibbs, who has been on a health tour of this country. He introduced the English game to Victoria in 1884. In 1885 he conducted and captained a team to play New South Wales in Sydney, and a year later he took a team to New Zealand. Mr. Gibbs was treasurer of the New Zealand Association for 19 years, after which he took up his present duties in London as the Commonwealth representative of the English Football Association.             1927 Major dispute in NSW over sham-amateurism of State Officials 13 December : A sensation has been caused in Association Football circles by the announcement of the formation of a new body under the name of the New South Wales State Soccer League. This development is the outcome of differences between a number of clubs and the New South Wales Football Association, which has existed for a very long time. Meetings of the two bodies have been held with a view to entering into a satisfactory arrangement, but these have proved fruitless. Ten clubs, including most of the strongest in the State, have linked up with the league, and it is considered possible that others will join. A circular has been sent to the various clubs by the association asking them to be loyal and to stand by the old management. Accompanying the circular is another pointing out that by associating themselves with the new movement players automatically disqualify themselves from any chance of a trip to New Zealand next season, or from taking part in Interstate games, and the association intends to form teams in districts that may go over to the new body. This has had no effect on the 10 clubs referred to, which pointed out that they have the best players in their teams and that the Association's field for selection will be extremely limited and the quality will be poor. Application will be made for the affiliation of the State League with the New South Wales Soccer Football Association, and in the event of failure a further application will be made for afliliatlon with the Commonwealth Association.          Bohemia (Czech) tour      Hong Kong Chinese team tour         1928 Tour of Dutch East Indies. (23 matches) 13 February (Melbourne) : A message from Sydney states that the Australian Soccer Association is unlikely to entertain offers from Spain and Jugoslavia to send teams to Australia this year. An incitation from Java however for an Australian team to be sent there in August will be referred to all State Associations for their comments. The proposal that married and single players be paid 10/ and 5/ a day respectively while touring New Zealand is unlikely to be favourably received. 11th September : Considerable discussion is taking place in soccer circles concerning a proposal that a European team, probably from Germany, should visit Australia next season, and that an Australian side should visit the United States and British Columbia to play matches against teams in those countries at the end of the 1929 season in Australia. Mr. S. A. D. Storey, president of the Australian Soccer Football Association is in Adelaide to meet the council of the State Association to discuss the proposed tours. It is suggested by the United States that the tour of an Australian side should be of 6 months duration, and that touring players should be native born.         1929 Victorian team heads to South Australian for the 1st round of the States competition for the British Football Association trophy, which is held by Victoria. The first game takes place on 20th July.           1930             1931 5th May (Sydney) : The Australian Soccer Association has decided to oppose the proposed visit of a Soviet soccer team to Australia. THe Soviet Government is reported to be behind an application for permission to send a team to Australia. THe application was made to the State Leagues of NSW and Queensland but it was pointed out that Australia association had sole control of international fixtures and if any attempt is made to override it's authority, local players will be prevented from taking part in future international matches.       1932 In the Queensland Vs Victoria game at Wallsend, Victoria were leading 3-1 at halftime before the Queenslanders fought back to take the lead 4-3 with 2 goals each for Kitching and Worrell. Forest saved Victoria's blushes with an equaliser just before the end of the game.         1933    1934 1935  1937 1938  1939 1940  1941   1943 1945 South Melbourne United formed.          1946   1947        1948    1949 Click here for 1949 Hajduk Tour of Australia Gallery     1950 Click Here for Tour of South Africa Gallery  1951 English FA side tour Australia Click here for the 1951 English Tour of Australia Gallery 
1952 White ball used for the first time in Australia.   1953 Click here for the 1953 Chinese tour of Australia Gallery      1954 Former English amatuer Vivian Chalwin appointed coach of Australia. In England, Joe Marston became the first Australian to play in FA Cup final, his Preston North End side losing 3-2 to West Bromwich Albion.    1955 Click here for the 1955 South Africa Tour of Australia Gallery Click here for the 1955 South China Tour of Australia Gallery  1956 Click here for the 1956 Olympics Games Gallery 1957 A rebel administration was set up and a new competition formed. It was called the NSW Federation of Soccer Clubs. The Federation and the Association were to be at loggerheads for several years. View the resolution to establish the NSW Federation of Soccer Clubs here 1958 1960 1961 Soon after, a Victorian deputation consisting of Theo Marmaras of South Melbourne Hellas, Fred Hutchison of Wilhelmina and Michael Weinstein and Stuart Beaton of the Association met with officals from WA, SA, QLD and NSW. The ASF was formed with Henry Seamonds made Chairman. 1962 Australia Cup beings and an Interstate Carnival takes place. 1963 At the ASF Annual Meeting in March, a vote was taken to return to FIFA. Then in early April, the Federation agreed to send a £5000 bond to FIFA and ASFA handed over its operations to the Australian Soccer Federation in Sydney. 1964 1965 1966 1967 Australia wins Vietnam National Day Soccer Tournament in Saigon, our first international tournament win. 1969 1970 1972 1973 1974 1977 1978 1984 1985 1986 1987 1989 1992 Australian football internet presence began - with the creation of the ozfootball website - at the same time both the Newcastle Breakers and South Melbourne football clubs began fledgling websites. 1997 Australia reaches the Confederations Cup Final, but loses 6-0 to Brazil. 1999 The Joeys (u17's) reach the World Cup final against Brazil losing on penalties. It's the first World Cup final that Australia reaches. 2000 2003 2004 2005 In November, Australia defeat Uruguay, over two-legs to reach the World Cup finals for the first time in 32 years 2006
Acknowledgements : Jack Pollard's Soccer Records - Sid Grant, Sid Grant Publications. "‘Father of Australian Soccer’: John Walter Fletcher 1847-1918—a Biographical Sketch" - Philip Mosely, Whitley College, University of Melbourne. MARMARAS’ OYSTER OR SEAMONDS’ BABY: THE FORMATION OF THE VICTORIAN SOCCER FEDERATION, 1956-1964 - Roy Hay, School of Australian and International Studies, Deakin University. THE GAME: EARLY SOCCER SCENERY IN NEW SOUTH WALES - Philip Mosely, University of Canberra. Football Federation Australia. |
