Brisbane City FC

Brisbane City
Full name Brisbane City Football Club
Nickname(s) The Azzurri
Founded 1952
Ground Spencer Park
Ground Capacity 5,000
Chairman David Asnicar
Head Coach John Kosmina
League NPL Queensland
2016 5th

Brisbane City Football Club is a football club based in Newmarket, Queensland. The club was formed in 1952, and currently play in NPL Queensland. The club competed in the National Soccer League (NSL) for 9 seasons but were relegated in 1986 back to State League competition. The club at it's formation in 1952 until 1972, was known as "Azzurri". Brisbane City Football club was the most successful Queensland club from 1952 until the commencement and their participation in the first year of the National Soccer League. The club won successfully 8 Brisbane 1st Division Championships and where runners up a further 9 times.The club however did have one season in 2nd division in 1968. On Azzurri return to the 1st Division in 1969, the club was totally dominated winners 6 of 7 Brisbane Grand Finals (1970,71,73,74,75 and 76). Outstanding players of the seventies era where: Peter Neilsen (Capt), Ian Johnson, Matt Hosie, Billy Haig, Willie Conner, Gerry Schedoffer, Gary Clifford, Peter Tokesi, David Radcliffe, Alan Marley,Charlie Dench, Larry Gaffney, Frank Pimblett, Brian Kibbey, David Neale,Ross Kelly Osvalado Bozzi and Carlos Natale. On their entry into the (NSL) in 1977, Brisbane City won the first two Phillip Cups (1977 and 1978). The Phillips Cup being Australia's newest national "FA Cup" style knock - out competition at that time.


Their Senior Coach for the 2016 season is former Socceroos captain and former Adelaide United manager John Kosmina.[1]

National Soccer League

In 1977 City became a foundation member of the National Soccer League. City's first match was a 0-1 defeat to Marconi at Perry Park on 3 April 1977 in front of a crowd of 5,214 [2]

Despite struggling in the first two seasons, including finishing bottom, they won the NSL Cup in those two years. In 1977 City defeated Marconi 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and the following year they overcame Adelaide City 2-1. Both matches were played in Brisbane. City's third NSL season saw a much improved 4th place finish which saw them qualify for the Top Four round robin series where they reached the Grand Final, losing to Sydney City 2-1 on aggregate.

1980 saw a reversal in fortunes with only four league wins recorded, but 1981 saw a battle for the NSL title, eventually finishing third, 8 points behind Champions Sydney City, with striker Paul Wilkinson weighing in with 12 goals. In those days the NSL compelled clubs to change any ethnic titles in their name, and as such City were occasionally referred to as Brisbane Gladiators around this time.

The following two seasons were a struggle, bottom of the table in 1982 was followed by third bottom in 1983, with city rivals Brisbane Lions bottom. It was tough times for NSL football in the city. For the following three seasons the NSL was increased in size but divided into two Conferences, with City finding themselves in the Southern Division alongside the Melbourne and Adelaide clubs. Fortunes didn't improve however and in 1987 with a return to a single division NSL and a reduction in clubs, City were relegated along with Brisbane Lions to the Queensland State League where they remain today bringing to an end nine successive seasons at national level.

The very last NSL match at Spencer Park took place on 8 September 1986, a 0-0 draw with Sunshine George Cross in front of only 838 fans [3]

NSL Statistics by Season

SeasonPldWDLGFGAPtsTable Position
1977 26861230352210th of 14
1978 26731629491714th of 14
1979 2614573830344th of 14
1980 264101229361812th of 14
1981 30121173725353rd of 16
1982 305111432552116th of 16
1983 30891333503314th of 16
1984 28851521392111th of 12 (Sth)
1985 22651125421711th of 12 (Sth)
1986 22371218461311th of 12 (Sth)

(Pld)=Games Played, (W)=Wins, (D)=Draws, (L)=Losses, (GF)=Goals For, (GA)=Goals Against, (Pts)=Points, (Sth)=Southern Conference

Notable former players

Australia
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Papua New Guinea
Malaysia

See also

References

  1. ↑ "COACHING COUP AS BRISBANE CITY FC SIGNS FAMED COACH JOHN KOSMINA". Brisbane City FC. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
  2. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/1977/Round01.html
  3. ↑ http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/1986/round21.htm


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