Victorian Premier League
Encyclopedia
The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football (soccer)
competition in Victoria
, Australia
, and second highest nationally after the A-League
. The competition is administered by Football Federation Victoria
, the governing body of football in the state.
and forms a part of the second tier of league football in Australia. It is primarily staged in the Australian winter, and in its current format runs between February and August. The league comprises twelve teams, every team playing each other twice over the course of a 22-round home-and-away season. The team finishing 1st after this stage is crowned the Premier, with the teams finishing 11th and 12th relegated to Victorian State League Division 1
.
At the conclusion of the home-and-away season, the top five teams advance to a 4-week Finals Series, conducted using the McIntyre final five system
. The team winning the Grand Final at the end of this stage is crowned the Champion and awarded the Victorian Premier League trophy.
' first title, has won one since.
Juventus would go on to dominate the league in the 1950s, winning six titles, including five in a row from 1952-1956. In 1958, after the Victorian Amateur Soccer Federation was formed, the league became known as the Victorian State League. From 1962 until 1976 the league was largely dominated by South Melbourne Hellas
and Footscray JUST
, who won 11 titles between them.
With creation of the National Soccer League
(NSL) in 1977, the league gradually lost most of its stronger clubs, a trend that reached its peak between 1984-1986, when the NSL used a split conference system. Post-1987 however, the league slowly started regaining clubs, firstly those discarded when the conference system experiment was abandoned, and later when clubs became permanently relegated by the NSL to their respective state leagues. The dominant side during the years 1977-2004 was Green Gully
, who won six titles during this period, despite also missing the years 1984-1986 from being in the NSL.
In 1991, the league rebranded again to become the Victorian Premier League, and the first finals to determine a champion was staged in 1992, won remarkably by the newly promoted North Geelong
. Following the demise of the NSL in 2004, the remaining two Victorian NSL teams Melbourne Knights
and South Melbourne
were granted permission to play in the VPL season of 2005. The league received a major boost at the start of the 2005 season when Vodafone
became major naming rights sponsors, with the competition being renamed the Vodafone Cup. The 2005 season initially saw crowds flocking in record numbers to witness the return of old derbies such as that between South Melbourne and Heidelberg United
, but with the formation of the A-League
filling the void of a national domestic league, 2006 saw a sharp decline in attendances.
The end of the 2006 season also witnessed a controversial finish to the relegation battle. With three teams finishing on 30 points, Sunshine George Cross
were relegated on goal difference. However, a post-season appeal to the tribunal on the grounds that Essendon Royals had fielded a suspended player (Ilcho Mladenovski in round 24) saw the Royals deducted a point and relegated. Ultimately, both clubs reprised their position in the following season's competition with the inclusion of the Australian Institute of Sport
evening out the numbers to 16, and as the first part of reforms to the competition set to be brought about in 2008.
The Australian Institute of Sport experiment was largely derided by the local clubs, and after their removal from the competition in 2008, the league reverted back to 12 teams and a Top 5 Finals-Series in 2009. However, the concept of a youth development squad was reintroduced in 2010 with the National Training Centre team playing in midweek fixtures throughout the season but not for competition points. In 2011 the team, mostly comprising players from the Melbourne Victory
youth squad, was renamed Victorian Training Centre Football and was eligible to score competition points for its matches but ineligible to qualify for the finals series or be relegated.
on the new EXTRA TIME TV Football Show, as well Green Gully providing a program of their own on the same network. As with the New South Wales Premier League
Grand Final, an edited version of the 2006 and 2007 decider was also played on the Aurora
pay television channel. Live calls of games were occasionally broadcast on sports radio station SEN 1116
, along with discussion on the league, although that station's increased Australian Football League
commitments have pushed that coverage aside. Print coverage is generally scant in Melbourne's two major daily newspapers, the Herald Sun
and The Age
, but more coverage is provided by specialist newspaper GoalWeekly, non-English language newspapers, and free suburban newspapers. As of 2010, Victorian Premier League is now radio broadcast on Radio Australia
as well as ABC Local Radio
's Grandstand coverage, and a new TV Show EXTRA TIME TV on Channel 31 going digital and now State Wide & first time VPL Live Matches Online.
season.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
competition in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria 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....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, and second highest nationally after the A-League
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...
. The competition is administered by Football Federation Victoria
Football Federation Victoria
Football 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....
, the governing body of football in the state.
Format
The league sits below the A-LeagueA-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...
and forms a part of the second tier of league football in Australia. It is primarily staged in the Australian winter, and in its current format runs between February and August. The league comprises twelve teams, every team playing each other twice over the course of a 22-round home-and-away season. The team finishing 1st after this stage is crowned the Premier, with the teams finishing 11th and 12th relegated to Victorian State League Division 1
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...
.
At the conclusion of the home-and-away season, the top five teams advance to a 4-week Finals Series, conducted using the McIntyre final five system
Top five play-offs
A play-off structure involving the top five teams was used to determine the winners of the Super League competition in British rugby league from 1998 until 2001. A top six play-off system was then introduced...
. The team winning the Grand Final at the end of this stage is crowned the Champion and awarded the Victorian Premier League trophy.
History
The league commenced in 1909 with Carlton United being the first champions, and has run continuously except for a three season postponement from 1916-1918 owing to World War 1. After 1945 the league, like fellow state competitions around the country, received a massive boost in numbers and quality with the post-war influx of European migrants, whose dominance was established so effectively that no club that had won the title before 1952, JuventusBrunswick 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...
' first title, has won one since.
Juventus would go on to dominate the league in the 1950s, winning six titles, including five in a row from 1952-1956. In 1958, after the Victorian Amateur Soccer Federation was formed, the league became known as the Victorian State League. From 1962 until 1976 the league was largely dominated by South Melbourne Hellas
South Melbourne FC
South 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...
and Footscray JUST
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...
, who won 11 titles between them.
With creation of the National Soccer League
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, 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...
(NSL) in 1977, the league gradually lost most of its stronger clubs, a trend that reached its peak between 1984-1986, when the NSL used a split conference system. Post-1987 however, the league slowly started regaining clubs, firstly those discarded when the conference system experiment was abandoned, and later when clubs became permanently relegated by the NSL to their respective state leagues. The dominant side during the years 1977-2004 was Green Gully
Green Gully Cavaliers
Green 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....
, who won six titles during this period, despite also missing the years 1984-1986 from being in the NSL.
In 1991, the league rebranded again to become the Victorian Premier League, and the first finals to determine a champion was staged in 1992, won remarkably by the newly promoted North Geelong
North Geelong Warriors
The North Geelong Warriors Football Club, , is a Croatian backed football club from the regional Victorian city of Geelong. The club continues to have strong links to and support from the city’s large Croatian community. The club is a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer...
. Following the demise of the NSL in 2004, the remaining two Victorian NSL teams Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights
Melbourne 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...
and South Melbourne
South Melbourne FC
South 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...
were granted permission to play in the VPL season of 2005. The league received a major boost at the start of the 2005 season when Vodafone
Vodafone
Vodafone Group Plc is a global telecommunications company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the world's largest mobile telecommunications company measured by revenues and the world's second-largest measured by subscribers , with around 341 million proportionate subscribers as of...
became major naming rights sponsors, with the competition being renamed the Vodafone Cup. The 2005 season initially saw crowds flocking in record numbers to witness the return of old derbies such as that between South Melbourne and Heidelberg United
Heidelberg United
Heidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
, but with the formation of the A-League
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...
filling the void of a national domestic league, 2006 saw a sharp decline in attendances.
The end of the 2006 season also witnessed a controversial finish to the relegation battle. With three teams finishing on 30 points, Sunshine George Cross
Sunshine George Cross FC
Sunshine 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...
were relegated on goal difference. However, a post-season appeal to the tribunal on the grounds that Essendon Royals had fielded a suspended player (Ilcho Mladenovski in round 24) saw the Royals deducted a point and relegated. Ultimately, both clubs reprised their position in the following season's competition with the inclusion of the Australian Institute of Sport
Australian Institute of Sport
The Australian Institute of Sport is a sports training institution in Australia with world class facilities and support services. The Institute's headquarters is situated in Canberra, the capital city of Australia. The 66.0 hectare site campus is in the northern suburb of Bruce, but some of the...
evening out the numbers to 16, and as the first part of reforms to the competition set to be brought about in 2008.
The Australian Institute of Sport experiment was largely derided by the local clubs, and after their removal from the competition in 2008, the league reverted back to 12 teams and a Top 5 Finals-Series in 2009. However, the concept of a youth development squad was reintroduced in 2010 with the National Training Centre team playing in midweek fixtures throughout the season but not for competition points. In 2011 the team, mostly comprising players from the Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League....
youth squad, was renamed Victorian Training Centre Football and was eligible to score competition points for its matches but ineligible to qualify for the finals series or be relegated.
Media coverage
Coverage of The Victorian Premier League is provided by the local non-profit community television station, Channel 31 MelbourneChannel 31 Melbourne
C31 Melbourne, formally known as Channel 31 Melbourne , is a public television station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.-The Channel:Its signal is transmitted from Mt...
on the new EXTRA TIME TV Football Show, as well Green Gully providing a program of their own on the same network. As with the New South Wales Premier League
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...
Grand Final, an edited version of the 2006 and 2007 decider was also played on the Aurora
Aurora Community Television
Aurora Community Channel is an Australian subscription television channel that screens locally produced community television programs. It was launched on the 1 March, on the Foxtel, Austar and Optus Digital Networks and can be found on channel 183...
pay television channel. Live calls of games were occasionally broadcast on sports radio station SEN 1116
SEN 1116
SEN 1116 , the acronym standing for Sports Entertainment Network, is a commercial AM radio station based in Melbourne, Australia, operating on 1116 kHz...
, along with discussion on the league, although that station's increased Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
commitments have pushed that coverage aside. Print coverage is generally scant in Melbourne's two major daily newspapers, the Herald Sun
Herald Sun
The Herald Sun is a morning tabloid newspaper based in Melbourne, Australia. It is published by The Herald and Weekly Times, a subsidiary of News Limited, itself a subsidiary of News Corporation. It is available for purchase throughout Melbourne, Regional Victoria, Tasmania, the Australian Capital...
and The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
, but more coverage is provided by specialist newspaper GoalWeekly, non-English language newspapers, and free suburban newspapers. As of 2010, Victorian Premier League is now radio broadcast on Radio Australia
Radio Australia
Radio Australia is the international broadcasting and online service operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation , Australia's public broadcaster.- History :...
as well as ABC Local Radio
ABC Local Radio
ABC Local Radio is a network of publicly owned radio stations in Australia, operated by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.ABC Local Radio stations broadcast across the continent using terrestrial transmitters and satellites...
's Grandstand coverage, and a new TV Show EXTRA TIME TV on Channel 31 going digital and now State Wide & first time VPL Live Matches Online.
Admission Prices
The admission prices for Adults is: $12, Concession is: $8 and Children Under 16 are FREE.Clubs
The following 12 clubs are competing in the Victorian Premier League during the 2011Victorian Premier League 2011
The 2011 Victorian Premier League was the ninety-ninth season of the Victorian Premier League since the first season in 1909 . The home and away season began 15 February 2011 and concluded 7 August 2011...
season.
| Club | Position in 2010 | First season in top division | Top division titles | Last top division title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 1996 | 0 | n/a | |
| 8th | 1998 | 0 | n/a | |
| 1st | 1977 | 8 | 2010 | |
| 4th | 1964 | 4 | 2001 | |
| 3rd | 2008 | 0 | n/a | |
| 9th | 1960 | 3 | 1979 | |
| 5th | 1981 | 0 | n/a | |
| 7th | 1987 | 0 | n/a | |
| 2nd | 1963 | 0 | n/a | |
| 6th | 1963 | 8 | 2006 | |
| 2nd; State League Div 1 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... |
1997 | 0 | n/a | |
| 1st; State League Div 1 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... |
1984 | 0 | n/a | |
2011 League Table
*Heidelberg Utd was given a 3 point deduction as a result of Tribunal Case TA11004, arising from their Round 3 match against Hume City. South Melbourne lost 6 points as a result of Tribunal Case TA11012 from their Round 9 fixture against Bentleigh Greens.Champions
- 1909 - Carlton United
- 1910 - Carlton United
- 1911 - Williamstown
- 1912 - Williamstown
- 1913 - Yarraville (formerly Williamstown)
- 1914 - Melbourne Thistle
- 1915 - Melbourne Thistle
- 1916 - No Competition
- 1917 - No Competition
- 1918 - No Competition
- 1919 - Northumberland
- 1920 - Northumberland
- 1921 - Windsor
- 1922 - Northumberland
- 1923 - St Kilda
- 1924 - Footscray Thistle
- 1925 - Melbourne Thistle
- 1926 - Footscray Thistle
- 1927 - Prahran City
- 1928 - Flinders Naval Depot
- 1929 - Footscray Thistle
- 1930 - Footscray Thistle
- 1931 - Brunswick
- 1932 - Footscray Thistle
- 1933 - Royal Caledonians
- 1934 - HakoahMelbourne HakoahMelbourne Hakoah is a defunct Australian sports club which had a predominantly Jewish Australian supporter base, akin to Hakoah Vienna. The club's best known arm was its soccer club.-History:...
- 1935 - HakoahMelbourne HakoahMelbourne Hakoah is a defunct Australian sports club which had a predominantly Jewish Australian supporter base, akin to Hakoah Vienna. The club's best known arm was its soccer club.-History:...
- 1936 - MorelandMoreland F.C.Moreland is a now-defunct association football team that competed in various leagues in Victoria, Australia between 1934 and 1985. The team was also known as Moreland Victoria and as Moreland Thistle between 1965 and 1970....
- 1937 - Moreland
- 1938 - HakoahMelbourne HakoahMelbourne Hakoah is a defunct Australian sports club which had a predominantly Jewish Australian supporter base, akin to Hakoah Vienna. The club's best known arm was its soccer club.-History:...
- 1939 - Prahran
- 1940 - Nobels
- 1941 - Moreland
- 1942 - Prahran
- 1943 - Moreland/HakoahMelbourne HakoahMelbourne Hakoah is a defunct Australian sports club which had a predominantly Jewish Australian supporter base, akin to Hakoah Vienna. The club's best known arm was its soccer club.-History:...
- 1944 - Prahran
- 1945 - Prahran
- 1946 - Moreland
- 1947 - Sunshine United
- 1948 - Box Hill
- 1949 - Brighton
- 1950 - Sunshine United
- 1951 - Yallourn
- 1952 - JuventusBrunswick 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...
- 1953 - JuventusBrunswick 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...
- 1954 - JuventusBrunswick 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...
- 1955 - JuventusBrunswick 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...
- 1956 - JuventusBrunswick 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...
- 1957 - Footscray JUSTFootscray JUSTFootscray 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...
- 1958 - JuventusBrunswick 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...
- 1959 - WilhelminaRingwood CityRingwood City Soccer Club is an Australian association football club from Ringwood, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. The club was formed in 1953, as Wilhelmina by Dutch Australians. It took the club only 4 years to get promoted into the Victorian State League. In 1966 they were...
- 1960 - PoloniaWestern EaglesWestern Eagles is an Australian association football club based in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. Formed in 1950 as KS Polonia by Polish Australians, the club was one of the powerhouses of Victorian and Australian soccer in the 1950s and 1960s, before making a brief revival in the 1980s...
- 1961 - PoloniaWestern EaglesWestern Eagles is an Australian association football club based in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. Formed in 1950 as KS Polonia by Polish Australians, the club was one of the powerhouses of Victorian and Australian soccer in the 1950s and 1960s, before making a brief revival in the 1980s...
- 1962 - South Melbourne Hellas
- 1963 - Footscray JUSTFootscray JUSTFootscray 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...
- 1964 - South Melbourne Hellas
- 1965 - South Melbourne Hellas
- 1966 - South Melbourne Hellas
- 1967 - Melbourne HungariaMelbourne HungariaThe Melbourne Hungaria Soccer Club is a defunct Australian association football club that was based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club was founded by Hungarian migrants in 1957 and quickly became one of the strongest football clubs in Australia in the 1960s and 1970s.-History:The foundations of the...
- 1968 - CroatiaMelbourne 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...
- 1969 - Footscray JUSTFootscray JUSTFootscray 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...
- 1970 - JuventusBrunswick 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...
- 1971 - Footscray JUSTFootscray JUSTFootscray 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...
- 1972 - South Melbourne Hellas
- 1973 - Footscray JUSTFootscray JUSTFootscray 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...
- 1974 - South Melbourne Hellas
- 1975 - Fitzroy United AlexanderHeidelberg UnitedHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
- 1976 - South Melbourne HellasSouth 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...
- 1977 - George CrossSunshine George Cross FCSunshine 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...
- 1978 - Essendon CroatiaMelbourne 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...
- 1979 - Essendon CroatiaMelbourne 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...
- 1980 - Preston MakedoniaPreston Lions FCThe Preston Lions Football Club are an Australian football club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
- 1981 - Green GullyGreen Gully CavaliersGreen 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....
- 1982 - Green GullyGreen Gully CavaliersGreen 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....
- 1983 - Green GullyGreen Gully CavaliersGreen 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....
- 1984 - Morwell Falcons
- 1985 - Croydon CityCroydon City ArrowsCroydon City Arrows is an Australian football club based in Croydon, Victoria, currently in the 4th tier of the Victorian Football Structure...
- 1986 - Croydon CityCroydon City ArrowsCroydon City Arrows is an Australian football club based in Croydon, Victoria, currently in the 4th tier of the Victorian Football Structure...
- 1987 - Maribyrnong PoloniaWestern EaglesWestern Eagles is an Australian association football club based in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. Formed in 1950 as KS Polonia by Polish Australians, the club was one of the powerhouses of Victorian and Australian soccer in the 1950s and 1960s, before making a brief revival in the 1980s...
- 1988 - Heidelberg UnitedHeidelberg UnitedHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
- 1989 - Morwell Falcons
- 1990 - Heidelberg UnitedHeidelberg UnitedHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
- 1991 - Brunswick JuventusBrunswick 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...
- 1992 - North Geelong WarriorsNorth Geelong WarriorsThe North Geelong Warriors Football Club, , is a Croatian backed football club from the regional Victorian city of Geelong. The club continues to have strong links to and support from the city’s large Croatian community. The club is a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer...
- 1993 - Bulleen Lions
- 1994 - Preston LionsPreston Lions FCThe Preston Lions Football Club are an Australian football club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
- 1995 - Altona MagicAltona MagicAltona Magic Soccer Club is a football team based in Altona North, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian State League Division 1.-History:...
- 1996 - Altona MagicAltona MagicAltona Magic Soccer Club is a football team based in Altona North, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian State League Division 1.-History:...
- 1997 - Altona MagicAltona MagicAltona Magic Soccer Club is a football team based in Altona North, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian State League Division 1.-History:...
- 1998 - Bulleen Inter KingsBulleen ZebrasWhittlesea Zebras is an Australian association football club based in Epping, Melbourne. The Zebras play in the Victorian Premier League....
- 1999 - Green Gully CavaliersGreen Gully CavaliersGreen 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....
- 2000 - Green Gully CavaliersGreen Gully CavaliersGreen 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....
- 2001 - Heidelberg UnitedHeidelberg UnitedHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
- 2002 - Preston Lions
- 2003 - Green Gully CavaliersGreen Gully CavaliersGreen 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....
- 2004 - Bulleen ZebrasBulleen ZebrasWhittlesea Zebras is an Australian association football club based in Epping, Melbourne. The Zebras play in the Victorian Premier League....
- 2005 - Green Gully CavaliersGreen Gully CavaliersGreen 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....
- 2006 - South MelbourneSouth 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...
- 2007 - Preston LionsPreston Lions FCThe Preston Lions Football Club are an Australian football club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
- 2008 - Altona MagicAltona MagicAltona Magic Soccer Club is a football team based in Altona North, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian State League Division 1.-History:...
- 2009 - Altona MagicAltona MagicAltona Magic Soccer Club is a football team based in Altona North, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian State League Division 1.-History:...
- 2010 - Green Gully CavaliersGreen Gully CavaliersGreen 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....
- 2011 - Green Gully CavaliersGreen Gully CavaliersGreen 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....
Clubs participating - 1963-2009
- Albion Leyland/Albion Rovers/Albion Turk Gucu/Melton Reds (1978–79, 1982–1985, 1990–1997)
- Altona CityAltona City SCAltona City are an Australian association football club from Altona, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. The club was formed in 1965 as a predominantly Scottish club. The club played in the Victorian State League from 1977–1981 but the club has not yet return to its glory days. Altona City...
(1977–1981) - Altona East PhoenixAltona East PhoenixAltona East Phoenix Soccer Club is an Australian association football club based in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, currently in the Victorian State League Division 2 N/W...
(1999–2003) - Altona Gate/Altona MagicAltona MagicAltona Magic Soccer Club is a football team based in Altona North, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian State League Division 1.-History:...
(1989-2010) - Australian Institute of Sport (2007–2008)
- Bentleigh Greens (1996–2005, 2010-)
- Box Hill (1969–1973, 1983–1990, 1995–1996)
- Broadmeadows (1984)
- Broadmeadows City (1987)
- Brunswick Juventus/JuventusBrunswick 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...
(1963–1983, 1989–93) - Bulleen Lions (1988–1997)
- Bulleen ZebrasBulleen ZebrasWhittlesea Zebras is an Australian association football club based in Epping, Melbourne. The Zebras play in the Victorian Premier League....
(1998–2006) - Caulfield City (1986–1990, 1993)
- Coburg United/Hume City FCHume City FCHume City Football Club is a football club based in Broadmeadows the suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.- History :Hume City are the most successful Turkish backed football club in Australia...
(2008-) - Croydon City (1979–84)
- Doncaster Rovers (1995)
- Doveton (1981–1984, 1991)
- Essendon Lions/LionsEssendon LionsEssendon Lions is a now defunct football club from Melbourne suburb of Essendon, Victoria. At the clubs peak in the 1960s and 1970s it played in the Victorian State League, the top league in Victoria at the time.-Honours:...
(1962–1971) - Essendon Royals/Triestina (1964–1965, 2001, 2003–2007)
- Fawkner BluesFawkner BluesFawkner Blues is an Australian association football club from Fawkner, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. The club was formed in 1965 by local Italian Australians...
(1983–2004, 2007–2008) - Fawkner-Whittlesea BluesFawkner-Whittlesea BluesFawkner-Whittlesea Blues is a former Australian association football club based in Epping, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. The club was formed towards the end of 2004 from a merger of the senior teams of the Fawkner Blues and Whittlesea Stallions , and played in the 2005 and 2006...
(2005–2006) - Fitzroy Serbia/Fitzroy City (2002)
- Footscray JUST/Melbourne City JUSTFootscray JUSTFootscray 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...
(1963–1976, 1990) - Frankston City (1977–1982)
- Frankston PinesFrankston PinesThe Frankston Pines Football Club is an Australian association football club from Frankston North, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. The club was formed by local Scottish Australians in 1965. The club has had several stints in the Victorian Premier League since the mid-1980s, with best...
(1984–1987, 1989–1990, 2003–2006, 2008) - Green Gully Cavaliers (1977–1983, 1987-)
- Hakoah. St Kilda/St. Kilda Hellas-HakoahMelbourne HakoahMelbourne Hakoah is a defunct Australian sports club which had a predominantly Jewish Australian supporter base, akin to Hakoah Vienna. The club's best known arm was its soccer club.-History:...
(1963–1982) - Heidelberg United/Fitzroy United Alexander/AlexanderHeidelberg UnitedHeidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
(1964, 1966–1968, 1970–1976, 1988, 1990, 1996–1998, 2000–2002, 2005-) - Keilor Austria/Austria (1972–1974)
- Kingston CityKingston City FCKingston City Football Club is an Australian Association football club from Clayton South, Victoria, a suburb within the municipality of Kingston, Victoria. They are currently managed by Con Nitsikas . The club won the Victorian State League Division 3 South East in 2011...
(2006–2007) - Knox City (1984–1985, 1992–1993, 2004)
- Maribyrnong Polonia/PoloniaWestern EaglesWestern Eagles is an Australian association football club based in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. Formed in 1950 as KS Polonia by Polish Australians, the club was one of the powerhouses of Victorian and Australian soccer in the 1950s and 1960s, before making a brief revival in the 1980s...
(1963–77, 1982–1989) - Melbourne Knights/Essendon Croatia/Melbourne CroatiaMelbourne 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...
(1960, 1962–1963, 1965–72, 1977–1983, 2005-) - Melbourne/Melbourne HungariaMelbourne HungariaThe Melbourne Hungaria Soccer Club is a defunct Australian association football club that was based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club was founded by Hungarian migrants in 1957 and quickly became one of the strongest football clubs in Australia in the 1960s and 1970s.-History:The foundations of the...
(1963–1975, 1986) - Melbourne Raiders (1999–2000)
- Moorabbin City (1998)
- Mooroolbark/Mooroolbark UnitedMooroolbark FCMooroolbark 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:...
(1974–1976, 1990–1991) - Morwell Falcons (1982–1992)
- North Geelong WarriorsNorth Geelong WarriorsThe North Geelong Warriors Football Club, , is a Croatian backed football club from the regional Victorian city of Geelong. The club continues to have strong links to and support from the city’s large Croatian community. The club is a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer...
(1992–1997) - Northcote CityNorthcote City SCNorthcote City Soccer Club is a football club from Thornbury, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, that currently plays in the Victorian Premier League. The club was formed in 1960 by local Greek Australians. This club was known as Princes Park Hercules during the 1960s and 1970s...
(1981–1991, 2010-) - Oakleigh CannonsOakleigh CannonsOakleigh Cannons Football Club is a football club based in the south-east Melbourne suburb of Oakleigh, Victoria, Australia. The club was formed in 1972 as the South Oakleigh Soccer Club by members of Oakleigh's Greek Australian community...
(1987–1988, 1991–1992, 2000, 2004-) - Port Melbourne SharksPort Melbourne SharksThe Port Melbourne Sharks are an Australian association football club from Port Melbourne, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club was formed in 1968 by local Greek Australians, and were promoted as Champions of Victorian State League Division 2 for season 2010.They will play season...
(1994–2003) - Port Melbourne Slavia/Prahran SlaviaSlavia MelbourneThe Slavia Melbourne Soccer Club is a defunct Australian association football club that was based in Melbourne, Victoria. Club was founded in 1950 by Czech migrants and would go on to become a leading club in Australian football. Slavia competed in the Victorian State League from 1956 to 1970 and...
(1963–1970, 1973–80) - Preston Makedonia/Preston LionsPreston Lions FCThe Preston Lions Football Club are an Australian football club from Preston, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
(1967, 1976–80, 1994–1995, 1997–2009) - Richmond SC/Alemannia RichmondRichmond SCRichmond Soccer Club is an Australian association football club from Richmond, Victoria, an inner eastern suburb of Melbourne, Australia. They currently play in the Victorian Premier League.-History:...
(1963, 2006-) - Ringwood City/Ringwood City Wilhelmina (1963–1966, 1968–1986, 1988–1990)
- South Dandenong/Dandeong ThunderDandenong ThunderDandenong Thunder SC is a football club from Dandenong, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. They are an Albanian Australian-backed club. From the 2009 season they compete in the Victorian Premier League, which is one tier below the A-League...
(1998–1999, 2001, 2009-) - South Melbourne Hellas/South Melbourne FCSouth 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...
(1963–1976, 1983, 2005-) - Springvale City (1985–1989, 1993–1996)
- Springvale White EaglesSpringvale White EaglesSpringvale White Eagles Soccer Club is an Australian association football club based in Melbourne, Victoria currently playing in Victorian State League Division 1...
(1997–1999, 2007, 2011) - St. Albans SaintsSt. Albans SaintsSt Albans Saints Football Club is an Australian association football club from St Albans, Victoria established by local Croatian Australians. The club is a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament...
(1984–2005, 2011) - Sunshine City (1975–1982)
- Sunshine Georgies/Sunshine George CrossSunshine George Cross FCSunshine 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...
(1958–1983, 1992–1999, 2005–2007, 2009-2010) - Thomastown Zebras (1985–1994, 1996–1998)
- Werribee City Bees (1994–1995)
- Western Suburbs SCWestern Suburbs SCWestern Suburbs Football Club is an Australian football club from Sunshine, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The club was formed in 1965, and currently play in the Victorian State League Division 1...
(1980, 1984–1988, 2007–2008) - Westvale (1999)
- Whittlesea Stallions (2002–2004)
- Whittlesea Zebras (2007–2009)
External links
- Results site
- VPL TV, official online broadcaster