OCTOBER
10 - Jeff Kennett becomes No.1 ticket
holder at South Melbourne, two weeks after accepting the Victorian Soccer
Federation's invitation to become the federation's Honorary Executive President
16 - Melbourne Knights win the Johnnie Walker Cup by demolishing Heidelberg 6-0.
18 - The ASF officially launches the NSL season, and the best their
marketing arm can do is encourage the public to "Get it on" with Peter Andre.
23 - A full house sees South Melbourne say farewell to Middle Park by thumping NSL Cup finalists Heidelberg 4-1.
26 - John Constantine announces the ASF is considering abolishing promotion and relegation from the NSL.
28 - FIFA announces Australia's World Cup path will only involve Oceania and Asia.
NOVEMBER
4 - NSWSF President Peter Gray says the federation will compete in an Asian competition.
10 - The Heidelberg committee soap opera intensifies with ex-president
Lew Yoannidis going public with his version of events. Current pres Peter
Tsaklis' response is equally caustic.
13 - A return to form by former WYC star Ante Milicic is over-shadowed
by a floodlight failure and Marconi's Klaus Okon being stretchered off after
being hit by a water bottle. Sydney Utd win the match 3-0.
14 - South Melbourne threaten to quit the NSL following revelations surrounding their move to the Lake Oval.
16 - Five Heidelberg directors resign.
18 - Referee Constantine invites Heidelberg up to Sydney for a chat.
23 - The Victorian Institute of Sport announces a 3 year sponsorship deal with Snickers.
Steve Tasios announces his retirement after 154 NSL appearances.
DECEMBER
1 - Rumours of bombshells are rife as the ASF schedules a meeting in
the bunker to mull over Justice Stewart's findings. Knights boss Mirko Bazic
is named 'Coach of the month'. He wins a five litre bottle of scotch. "I
only drink water", says Bazic.
7 - Ned Zelic leaps to Eddie Thomson's defence over what may be contained in the Stewart report.
8 - The Stewart report is referred to the Senate Standing Committee on the Environment, Recreation & the Arts.
14 - Henry Siwka becomes the new chairman of the Victorian Soccer Federation
after defeating Joe Caruso at the VSF annual general meeting. The Stewart
Report debate hots up with Tony Labbozzetta firing verbal bullets at Senator
Peter Baume. Let's have it out on "On the Ball", says Tony
15 - "No thanks", says Peter.
Did that REALLY happen in 1995?
JANUARY
5 - The Seven Network's 'Summer Edition' runs a story on the Stewart
Report, claiming that one of Justice Stewart's recommendations is to dismiss
Eddie Thomson. Ned Zelic claims he would consider his future if Thommo was
axed.
6 - Jeff Kennett gives his first major soccer-related interview to the
Melbourne Herald-Sun and tips a bucket on most people involved in the running
of the game. "I've been fairly despondent with the way soccer is run nationally.
I think the way the Stewart Inquiry has been handled is abysmal".
10 - Black Friday comes three days early for the ASF as the Senate Committee
goes public with a few of Justice Stewart's recommendations. Eddie Thomson's
head is first on the block with Les Schienflug right behind him. Senator
Baume suggests the code needs an enema!
11 - Heidelberg takes advantage of the media's attention (and reporters)
being elsewhere by sacking Mike Urukalo, but forgetting to tell him!
26 - Congratulations to Paul Wade and Sam Vella are in order after being awarded the 'Order of Australia' medals.
27 - The Senate hears it’s first day of evidence and Justice Stewart
lets go with both barrels. He accuses Constantine, Thomson and Labozzetta
amongst others of standing over witnesses and potential witnesses.
28 - The state federations meet to discuss a plan of attack for the upcoming ASF general meeting.
29 - Eddie Thomson goes public with his plan to include an Olyroo team in the NSL for the 1997-98 season.
FEBRUARY
1 - The Stewart Inquiry claims it’s first big scalp with the resignation of John Constantine.
John Dimtsis takes over as caretaker chairman, but his position on the commission
looks to be in jeopardy as Victoria’s Henry Siwka confirms that Don Di Fabrizio
is their preferred candidate. Significantly, JC resigns two days after the
deadline for nominations to the board.
2 - Former World Cup goalkeeper Jack Reilly says the entire ASF board should quit.
7 - Players Union boss Kim Taliadores fronts the Senate hearing and claims
certain players had failed to make themselves available to Justice Stewart
due to fears of reprisals from Mssrs Thomson and Schienflug.
17 - Sydney Olympic replace Vince Estavillo with Geoff Harcombe, and have a further change up their sleeve..
19 - .. with disgraced former ASF honcho John Constantine returning
to the board of his former club after an extraordinary general meeting. (Must
have been extraordinary - ed.)
20 - Canberra Cosmos is launched amid much speculation as to the make-up of the NSL for next season.
21 - The ASF announces a four-year sponsorship deal with Ansett Airlines
and Cathay Pacific, rumoured to be in the vicinity of $1.4 million.
26 - Steve Horvat scores twice as the Knights thump Heidelberg 6-2,
prompting a pitch invasion from Berger supporters, who later claim the invasion
was a protest over ethnic differences with Knights fans. (Oh, that's okay
then...)
27 - The ASF fines John Markovski $1,000 following the infamous 'T-shirt' episode.
Morwell also fine JM $2,000. This is not good enough for South Melbourne's
Peter Filopoulos who reckons a suspension would have been more appropriate.
28 -1974 World Cup coach Rale Rasic is sacked as coach of Parramatta Eagles.
MARCH
2 - Socceroo captain Paul Wade joins Heidelberg on loan for the rest of the season.
Preston announces they will lodge an application to re-join the NSL next season.
5 - Adelaide City go public with plans to join the Malaysian League!?!
12 - George Negus publicly declares his interest in becoming an ASF commissioner during a lively debate on 'On the Ball'.
15 - Senator Baume writes to The Australian, accusing soccer scribe Ray
Gatt of running a "continually inaccurate campaign" regarding the Senate
inquiry.
16 - Ex ABC boss David Hill nominates for a spot on the board of the ASF.
22 - The 1996 Olympic Games qualifiers will almost certainly be held
in Oz after the Kiwis claim "we have too much on our plate" !!
23 - Paul Wade declines an offer to become player-coach of ex-NSL club Sunshine George-Cross.
24 - The Senate inquiry hots up with Sydney soccer scribe Peter Kogoy
claiming he had been subjected to death threats, and that he believed Tony
Labbozzetta was behind them!
Not to be outdone, Roger Seal - father of ex-Young 'roo David - repeats
his allegations of Eddie Thomson seeking a kickback in 1992. Neville Wran
also takes the stand and backs ET's retention of the national coach's job,
although he does describe Thomson's actions as 'stupid'.
26 - 'On the Ball' profiles the four candidates for the ASF vacancy,
and a phone poll suggests the fans prefer David Hill (by a long way).
28 - The Fraud Enforcement Agency clears Les Scheinflug and Rale Rasic
of allegations raised during the Stewart Inquiry. Les claims he is considering
legal action of his own...
30 - Tony Labbozzetta denies claims made by Peter Kogoy re: death threats,
and also says he will finally stand down as an ASF commissioner.
31 - Queenslander Ian Brusasco withdraws from the ASF race leaving only three candidates.
APRIL
1 - David Hill is elected to the ASF board and duly made the new chairman.
Hill repeats his campaign rhetoric about boosting Australian soccer etc,
but Ian Holmes appears to be first in Hill's firing line with rumours that
the Chief Executive's job is to be reviewed. The new ASF boss wants an interim
administrator to start work on Monday!
2 - 14 year-old Daniel Watkins becomes the youngest ever player in the NSL when he comes on as substitute against Morwell.
7 - The Senate inquiry circus rolls on to Adelaide where new ASF boss
David Hill backs Eddie Thomson by correctly pointing out that conclusions
drawn in the Stewart Report hardly qualifies as evidence.
9 - The Knights clinch their second successive minor premiership and
the $25,000 prizemoney despite losing a shoot-out against South Melbourne.
13 - The World Youth Cup begins in Qatar and Mark Viduka scores twice
to give the Australians a comfortable 2-0 victory over Costa Rica.
17 - Fun and games for both sides! Adelaide City are ejected from their
hotel at 2:30 in the morning due to a bomb scare while the Knights experience
aircraft delays and arrive in Adelaide only three hours before their semi
final kicks off.
22 - Four key positions in the new-look ASF hierachy are advertised
in the national press, including the roles of CEO and the curiously titled
High Performance Manager.
25 - Marconi announce the appointment of Manfred Schaefer as coach for next season.
26 - South Melbourne defy the pundits to eliminate Sydney United 3-1
at Marconi Stadium. Branko Culina blames the ref, but Sydney Utd fans seize
the opportunity to bring more shame on the sport with their antics during
and after the match.
30 - Mark Viduka returns from international duty to spearhead the Knights
attack and score a hat-trick to almost single-handedly down South Melbourne
3-2 in a Preliminary FInal classic.
MAY
2 - Mark Viduka wins his second successive Warren Medal, receiving 151
votes, 62 more than runner-up Tony Popovic. He also wins the U-21 award for
the second year in a row.
Sadly, many big names including Hill and Thomson are unable to attend.
7 - Melbourne Knights end their grand final jinx with a comprehensive
2-0 victory over Adelaide City at Hindmarsh Stadium. Marth scores possibly
the best ever goal in a grand final and Spiteri adds a second before half-time.
In the aftermath, Mark Silic and Ante Kovacevic are charged by the ASF with
'inciting the crowd' following a post-match fence-climbing episode.
18 - More sensations at the Senate Inquiry as South Melbourne midfielder
Mike Petersen claims players have been selected in Australian squads to improve
their chances of an overseas contract.
19 - The three day soccer summit begins in Melbourne, with most observers
impressed with the honesty and openness of the panellists.
25 - The ASF waves the big stick at Heidelberg by telling them they
have seven days to resolve the Peter Psarros saga with Port Melbourne. Tony
Labbozzetta takes the stand at the Senate Inquiry.
26 - It’s Eddie Thomson’s turn to have his say at Senate Inquiry and
he comes up with the soon-to-be-immortal line - “They wouldn’t hang O J Simpson
with this evidence, you wouldn’t even kick your dog”. The Joeys qualify
for Ecuador '95 with a 1-0 win over 'the old enemy' New Zealand.
JUNE
1 - Abbas Saad takes the stand in a Singapore court and rejects the suggestion he conspired with Michal Vana to fix matches.
6 - More change as David Woolley is introduced as the new chief executive.
The Matildas World Cup campaign begins disastrously with a 0-5 loss to
Denmark.
9 - The Players Association fails in it’s bid to abolish the transfer
system immediately, but the Industrial Relations Commission sees the need
for the compensation set-up to be abolished by the end of 1996.
10 - Abbas Saad is found guilty. Judge Khoo Oon Soo concludes “... your
defence has failed to raise reasonable doubt”. Saad is fined $50,000.
12 - Trouble looming for somebody with the revelation that two NSL players
are to be investigated after irregularites are found in a random drug-testing
session.
13 - It’s official. Canberra Cosmos will compete in the NSL next season. The Cosmos are guaranteed membership for five years.
14 - The Senate Inquiry holds it’s final hearing day with sensational
results. Rale Rasic claims a Parramatta supporter had asked two Eagles players
to throw a game, while Les Scheinflug gives his version of the ‘Gajic’ affair,
as well as suggesting that out-going ASF chief executive Ian Holmes had ‘conspired’
with others (including journalist and On the Ball panellist Mike Cockerill)
to provide Justice Stewart with misleading information. Meanwhile, Peter
Tsaklis is confident Heidelberg will retain their NSL status. He is quoted
in the Melbourne Herald-Sun as saying “There is nothing to fear. I have
every confidence in David Hill”.
15 - Canberra announce former Everton star (and Brunei coach) Mike Lyons as their new coach for 1995/96.
22 - Brisbane Strikers announce the signing of Frank Farina for two years
with the option of a third. Marconi also made a bid, but the lure of Queensland
proved too much.
26 - The announcement that rocked the soccer world. ASF chairman David
Hill unveils plans for a twelve team competition in 1995/96.
27 - The Senate report is tabled in Parliament. "Phew!" says the ASF
as Thomson, Scheinflug and Scarsella are all cleared of various allegations.
The report recommends the abolition of domestic player transfer fees. Wollongong
players Adrian Cervinski and Sasha Dimovski are suspended for twelve months
by the ASF for failing to comply with drug testing procedures. No mention
of a syringe or mull bowl but the lads pleaded guilty to technical breaches,
so a holiday was always on the cards.
28 - Eddie Thomson asks for a public apology from Justice Stewart.
29 - The Victorian Soccer Federation wants to call a meeting of all stakeholders
in an attempt to reverse the plans for a twelve team NSL.
30 - Australia go down 0-2 against a highly skilled and motivated Argentina in Buenos Aires.
Ned Zelic is marked out of the game in typical South American fashion.
JULY
2 - Heidelberg hold a public rally which attracts nearly 10,000 fans.
It is announced at the rally that the ASF have agreed to hold a special
meeting of stakeholders on July 16.
4 - More bad news for Heidelberg as Hill claims the Bergers are so far
behind in every criteria that if the NSL was to consist of 14 clubs it would
be Parramatta and the Zebras who would return to the top level.
10 - George Negus is introduced to the media as the newest member of the ASF board.
The high-profile Negus replaces the low-profile Larry Adler. Zjelko Kalac
signs for Leicester City in a deal worth $1.7 million.
14 - Newcastle Breakers name John Kosmina as the new coach for the 95/96 season.
16 - The ASF meeting in Sydney produces a 45-0 vote to back Hill's plan
for a 12 team competition. "It was slightly better than I expected" says
Hill. Brisbane was the only NSL club to vote. The rest (even the dumped
clubs!) abstained.
24 - Parramatta Eagles announce they will fight the ASF decision "..until our last breath".
25 - Heidelberg file a Federal Court writ in an attempt to reverse the reduction of the NSL.
Unfortunately the Tax Department has lost patience with the 'Bergers over a $100,000 debt,
but club president Peter Tsaklis is confident the club can trade its way out of the huge financial problems.
26 - Melbourne Zebras lodge a writ with the Federal Court.
AUGUST
1 - The Federal Court in Melbourne grants the Zebras an injunction preventing
the ASF from promoting the new twelve team format. Justice Sundberg also
granted the Bergers wish to prevent any transfers of players until the situation
is resolved. The court action resumes on August 8.
2 - David Hill goes public with threats to form a breakaway league,
while Jeff Kennett announces an ambitious plan to upgrade Olympic Park to
a 45,000 all-seater stadium.
3 - Hill tells Perth's soccer fraternity to get it's shit together.
Well, not in those words of course, but the sooner WA come in the sooner
the corporate world will listen...
21 - Joeys forward Daniel Allsopp is awarded the Golden Boot award for top scorer in the under 17 world championships.
22 - Adelaide is announced as the venue for the 1996 Oceania Olympic qualifiers.
26 - Australia thumps Brazil 4-1! Michael Curcija is the Oz hat-trick
hero at the World University Games in Japan, but will miss the quarter final
after receiving his second yellow card for the tournament.
31 - Heidelberg pay $110,000 in back taxes, and that's enough for the Oz Tax Dept to cancel a winding-up order.
SEPTEMBER
2 - Warringah Dolphins clinch the NSW Super League title with a victory
over Blacktown. Ross Etherington scores the only goal of the game in the
7th minute.
9 - Soccer Australia announce a three year ($1.7mil?) pay tv deal with
Optus Vision, providing the new league only has twelve teams.
13 - The stakeholder's meeting endorses Hill's plans for constitutional reform. Just!!
Plenty of argument follows the first ballot, with allegations the dumped
clubs were 'sold out' after the second ballot. The two Melbourne clubs appear
to want to accept the decision, but Parramatta may have more surprises in
store.
17 - Altona clinch the Victorian championship with a 3-2 victory over Bulleen at Olympic Park.
20 - The Federal Court in Melbourne - unchallenged - lifts the injunction
on SocAus allowing the A-League to get up and running. The same decision
is reached in Sydney two days later.
28 - Paul Wade signs for Canberra Cosmos whilst negotiations for his
transfer continue to take place. Bad news for Adelaide City as they fail
in their attempt to cash in on Aurelio Vidmar’s transfer to Dutch giants
Feyenoord. They argued to FIFA that there was a contractual clause with
Belgian club Kortrijk which would yield them part of any future transfer
fee, in this case up around the $1mil mark. Bad news from England as well
with QPR announcing that Ned Zelic will be missing for at least a month after
a knee operation.
29 - SocAus announces the A-League will use the FIFA approved three
points for a win system, and penalty shootouts will be scrapped. NSW do
‘the double’ at the junior championships, defeating Victoria 2-0 in the U15’s
final, while in the U16’s they also win 2-0, this time over South Australia.
30 - NSW win their third consecutive Womens title, defeating Queensland 1-0 in the final.
OCTOBER
1 - Sydney United defeat Canterbury 2-1 in the final of the Waratah Cup,
while South Melbourne run out deserved 3-1 winners over Melbourne Knights
to win the Dockerty Cup.
5 - Soccer Australia launches the new A-League season in style with
a lunch at the SFS and the announcement of a multi-million dollar five year
sponsorship deal with telecommunications giant Ericsson.
6 - The A-League kicks off in Newcastle where the home team draw 2-2 with UTS Olympic.
Trivia buffs should note the first A-League goal was scored by Newcastle’s Jason Bennett.
11 - South Melbourne start to see the benefits of having only two Melbourne
teams in the A-League when Puma decide to pull out of a deal with the Zebras
and sponsor the Blues to the tune of $300,000.
19 - Eddie Thomson states he's ready to sign a new contract with Soccer Australia.....
The draw for the Oceania Olympic qualifying series is made at Hindmarsh,
with Oz originally given a bye on the opening day. Within 30 minutes (following
ET's complaint that the host nation traditionally plays on the opening day
of a major tournament?) rounds one and two are reversed.
20 - Tuxedo time in Melbourne as the VSF awards night sees Port Melbourne's
George Svigas pick up the Bill Fleming Medal (awarded by the media) and tie
for the prestigious Gold Medal with Tom Pondeljak of St Albans. The real
story (as far as some of the media is concerned) is Jeff Kennett's speech,
in which he suggests clubs need to "lose their ethnic face so that they have
a wider appeal".
24 - Ray Gatt decides Jeff's comments (see above) deserve a wider audience
and can't wait to bring Tony Labbozzetta into the discussion.
25 - SocAus announces that Ansett will sponsor the 2 game series against the Kiwis.
26 - Ex AdCity and one time Socceroo Gary Marocchi is confirmed as the
coach (for 3 years) of the Perth entry into the A-League. Morwell add David
Clarkson and Slobodan Despotovski to their ranks.
29 - 'On the Ball' provides some true moments of cringe as Patterson,
Warren and Hill trade barbs over a variety of contentious topics, including
the appointment of Mike Wells and the ongoing ethnic debate. But the 'story'
of the night is at Edensor Park where Newcastle win 2-1. Branko Culina launches
rockets at his players which may have been justified, and a scud at ET which
definitely wasn't.
30 - The headline in 'The Australian' says it all. "Thomson tells disgruntled Crows coach to grow up".
31 - Break out the microphones! It's press conference time as ET announces
the 18 man squad for the NZ games. Trimboli is in, perhaps as a starter,
as is Hooker. And Kevin Muscat too.
Big day for Paul Wade as well with
the launch of his (premature?) biography, as told to Kyle Patterson. George
Negus completes the occasion by announcing Wade's employment by SocAus as
national promotions co-ordinator.
NOVEMBER
4 - Marconi go to the top of the table after defeating Canberra 1-0.
5 - South Melbourne's offside trap fails again as Sydney Utd come away
from Olympic Park with a comfortable 2-0 victory. The match kicks off at
8:00pm after OP had been previously booked for another function...
9 - David Hill and A League boss Peter Russell cross the Tasman for
talks with Soccer New Zealand on a number of issues, including the proposal
to include a NZ based team in the Ericsson Cup. SocAus announces the appointment
of Stephen Cook as Marketing Services Manager and Jim Selby as its new National
Coaching and Development Manager.
10 - Eddie Thomson faces the prospect of further ridicule after the
national team fail to score for the third game in a row, this time against
New Zealand. Another shock later in the evening at Wollongong when Marconi
surrender top spot after losing 0-2.
11 - Advertisements appear in the national press for the position of Olympic Team coach
12 - Sydney Olympic go top with a 4-2 demolition of struggling South Melbourne.
15 - Australia defeat New Zealand 3-0 in Newcastle.
18 - The cricket scores continue in the Victorian Youth League, this time its a 12-0 win for Knox City over Nth Caulfield.
19 - A sensational finish to the Sydney derby where UTSO steal a 2-2
draw with Sydney Utd and Nick Orlic requires dental treatment following an
off-the-ball tangle with Sean Babic - who is later cited on video evidence.
That's not to mention the pitch invasion and the balls-up over the playing
strips.
22 - The Melb Knights are set to swap striker Ollie Pondeljak for former
midfielder Kresimir Marusic (Segusta). South Melb sign 'keeper Michael Petkovic
(brother of Jason) from Spearwood (WA).
26 - Bob Jane Stadium is offically opened before West Ad spoil the party by winning 3-2.
28 - Sean Babic is suspended for four matches for his role in procedings on November 19.
29 - Adelaide City hit the jackpot with a 7-0 blitz over Brisbane in the deferred Rd 7 clash.
DECEMBER
1 - Arena Investments hold a lavish function at the Burswood in Perth
to announce the birth of Perth Glory. David Hill seems keen to talk the
Court Government into building a 15,000 all seater stadium.
2 - For the third week in succession a Sydney derby explodes in controversy
as a 50/50 ball leaves Crows 'keeper John Perosh in Disneyland and Culina
indulging in a bit of verbal boxing with Awaritefe and co. You haven't heard
the last of this one....
5 - The big news is the release of the final Senate report, and although
plenty of fingers are pointed, a minority (Labor) alternative report suggests
not a great deal of action should be taken. Now I wonder which report SocAus
are likely to take most notice of... The aftermath of the Marconi / Sydney
Utd clash continues to fester through the media as SocAus consider their
next move...
6 - Damien Mori creates a slice of history with a goal after 3.69 seconds.
I wonder if John Perosh was still recovering from his clash three days earlier?
Sydney Utd overcome the setback to force a 2-2 draw.
8 - The SocAus investigations squad haul in Branco Culina, Francis Awaritefe,
Jean Paul de Marigny, Tony Popovic and David Zdrilic for questioning. Oh,
and Mirko Bazic is fined $1000 for his criticism of Eddie Thomson. And
a big welcome back Jim Patikas, as Sydney United sign him from AEK Athens.
10 - Big night for the South Melbourne fans as 11,000 see Ivan Kelic
steal a last minute winner against his old club. Another ex-Knights player
Alan Davidson celebrates his 300th game with a victory against his old club.
11 - Ned Zelic is headed for Eintracht Frankfurt on loan.
12 - Former FIFA referee Don Campbell is appointed the Director of Coaching for the South Australian Referees Association.
17 - David Hill reiterates his plans for Australia to play 16 internationals
a year, and repeats his claims that negotiations are well advanced / almost
complete to bring world class oppostion to these shores. We shall see...
19 - The A-League tribunal decides to defer the hearing into the Marconi-Sydney
Utd brawl until January 8 to allow the clubs to prepare their cases. Remember,
this is already 17 days after the match.... On a brighter (!) note, Heidelberg
United re-launch themselves as the Melbourne Warriors, claiming they are
virtually debt-free and ready to re-enter the national league.
23 - The big shock of the night is Brisbane's 4-0 hammering of Sydney
Utd at Suncorp Stadium, with Frank Farina scoring a hat-trick.
29 - At the Lakeside Stadium, South Melbourne blitz a pathetic Wollongong 6-0 with Ivan Kelic scoring four.