The National Soccer League Cup (known most commonly as the NSL Cup) was an annual knockout football competition in men's domestic Australian soccer organised by the Australian Soccer Federation between 1977 and 1997.
History The NSL Cup was organised to run in conjunction with the teams participating in the National Soccer League (NSL) between 1977 and 1997. It was the second nationwide club tournament held in Australia, the first being the Australia Cup during the 1960s. It was held initially in 1977 immediately after the end of the NSL's regular home and away season, as there was no final series. The 1978 edition expanded to include teams from various state leagues in Australia, including Annerley (Queensland), West Woden Juventus (ACT), Essendon Croatia (Victoria), Sydney Croatia (NSW) and Ascot (WA).
For the 1993–94 season the Cup was played in the preseason, before being played as a mid-season break for the 1995–96 season and then returning to the preseason for the 1996–97 season. The 1996-97 Cup was the final cup to be playing during the NSL years and saw a brand new club, Collingwood Warriors, defeat Marconi in the final. A replacement national knock-out cup was not instigated until the FFA Cup in 2014.
Upsets State League side Sydney Croatia upset NSL club Marconi in the first round of the 1978 Cup. Other upsets over the years were state league teams defeated NSL teams, including Parramatta Melita Eagles defeating Marconi in 1979, Mt Gravatt defeating Brisbane City in 1980, and Croydon City defeating South Melbourne in 1986.
Records and statistics
Final
Team Most wins: 3: Adelaide City (1979, 1989, 1992) Most consecutive wins: 2: Brisbane City (1977, 1978) Most appearances in a final: 5: Heidelberg United (1980, 1982, 1983, 1993, 1995) Most Final appearances without ever winning: 2, joint record: Preston Lions (1985, 1991) West Adelaide (1981, 1986) Most Final appearances without ever losing: 2, joint record: APIA Leichhardt (1982, 1988) Brisbane City (1977, 1978) Longest gap between wins 17 years, Marconi Stallions (1980–1997) Biggest win 6 goals: Melbourne Knights 6–0 Heidelberg United, (1995) Most goals in a final 6: Melbourne Knights 6–0 Heidelberg United, (1995) Most goals by a losing side 2: Sydney City 2–3 West Adelaide, (1986) Most defeats 4: Heidelberg United (1980, 1982, 1983, 1995)
Winners and finalists
Results by team +Results by teamClubWinsFirst final wonLast final wonRunners-upLast final lostTotal finalappearancesAdelaide City319791992119784Parramatta Eagles219911994119933Brisbane City2197719780—2Sydney Olympic2198319852—4APIA Leichhardt Tigers2198219880—2South Melbourne2199019961—3Heidelberg United119931993419955Marconi-Fairfield119801980319974Sydney United119871987119942Melbourne Knights119951995119842Brisbane Lions1198119810—1Newcastle Rosebud United1198419840—1Sydney City1198619860—1Collingwood Warriors1199719970—1West Adelaide0——219862Preston Lions0——219912St George0— —119791Newcastle Breakers0— —119961
References