1996–97 Perth Glory SC season

The 1996–97 season was Perth Glory's first season in the National Soccer League and first overall season in the top flight of Australian soccer.

Perth Glory
1996–97 season
ChairmanNick Tana
Paul Afkos
Head CoachGary Marocchi
StadiumPerth Oval
National Soccer League7th
Top goalscorerBobby Despotovski (14)

Background
See also: Perth Glory FC § History

After a number of years of speculation around a team from Perth, Perth businessmen, Nick Tana and Paul Afkos put in a bid to join the 1996–97 A-League (as the NSL was known after being relaunched for the 1995–96 season) in late 1995. Arena Investments, a company owned by Tana and Afkos, had stepped in to invest in the Perth Kangaroos IFC after the initial investors of the 1994 FAS Premier League champions pulled out. On 1 December 1995, the name Perth Glory was announced and is considered to be the club's foundation date.[1][2][3][4]

Review

Pre-season

To allow the club to prepare for their first season, the Glory were excused from participation in the 1996–97 NSL Cup in September and October 1996. Instead the Glory played a number of friendly matches, starting with a match against Italian team Sampdoria which they lost 3–0. This was the only match that the club lost in the leadup to the season, with a series of matches against Western Australian opposition all ending in wins to the Glory.[5]

October

The league season began with a match against UTS Olympic at Perth Oval. The ground was ordinarily an Australian rules football ground so temporary seating was brought in to make a smaller arena for soccer. A crowd of 9639 saw the Glory lose 4–1 to Olympic, with Alan MacKenzie scoring a late consolation goal.[6][7]

April

The Glory entered the final round of the season needing just one point to secure a finals position. However they were defeated 3–1 by the Melbourne Knights after being reduced to ten players.[8][9]

Players
Further information: Perth Glory FC § Players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
6 DF  AUS Gareth Naven
7 DF  AUS Scott Miller
10 FW  AUS Bobby Despotovski
— DF  AUS Vladimir Beretovac
— DF  AUS Vinko Buljubasic
— MF  AUS Anthony Carbone
— MF  AUS Doug Ithier
— FW  AUS Vasilio Kalogeracos
— FW  SCO Alan MacKenzie
No. Pos. Nation Player
— GK  AUS Vince Matassa
— GK  AUS Tom Maras
— DF  AUS Craig Naven
— FW  AUS Paul Strudwick
— DF  AUS Peter Vukmirovic
— MF  NZL Gavin Wilkinson
— DF  AUS Dale Wingell
— MF  AUS Marc Wingell

Transfers

Transfers in
No. Position Player Transferred from Type/fee Date Ref
—DF Vinko Buljubasic Melbourne Knights Undisclosed July 1996 [10]
10FW Bobby Despotovski Gippsland Falcons Undisclosed July 1996 [10]
—FW Doug Ithier Floreat Athena Undisclosed July 1996 [10]
—FW Vasilios Kalogeracos Floreat Athena Undisclosed July 1996 [10]
—MF Paul McVittie Stirling Lions Undisclosed July 1996 [10]
7DF Scott Miller Gippsland Falcons Undisclosed July 1996 [10]
—GK Robert Zabica Cockburn City Undisclosed July 1996 [10]

Transfers out
No. Position Player Transferred to Type/fee Date Ref
—MF Paul McVittie Inglewood United Undisclosed April 1997 [10]
—GK Robert Zabica Cockburn City Undisclosed April 1977 [10]

Match results

Legend
Win Draw Loss

Preseason matches
Date Opponents Venue Result Scorers Ref
31 May 1996SampdoriaWACA Ground0–3[11]
5 September 1996Swan ICAshfield Reserve4–1Nick Lazarevski (2), Bobby Despotovski[12]
8 September 1996Floreat AthenaLake Monger Velodrome7–0Bobby Despotovski (2), Gary Lees (2), Paul Strudwick, Scott Miller, Alex Novatsis (og)[13]
10 September 1996Morley-WindmillsAshfield Reserve12–0Bobby Despotovski (6), Nick Lazarevski (3), Paul Strudwick, Paul McVittie, Scott Miller[14]
14 September 1996Inglewood Falcons2–0Scott Miller, Doug Ithier[15]
17 September 1996Spearwood DalmatinacAshfield Reserve3–0Bobby Despotovski, Spase Najdovski, Peter Vukrimovic[16]
22 September 1996SorrentoKiev Sports Centre7–0Doug Ithier, Bobby Despotovski (3), Spase Najdovski, Paul McVittie[17]
26 September 1996WA State Amateur teamKiev Sports Centre4–0Dale Wingell, Paul McVittie, Vladimir Beretovac, Scott Miller[18]
30 September 1996Bayswater Panthers all-starsBayswater Oval3–0Bobby Despotovski (2), Alan MacKenzie[19]
2 October 1996WA State Amateur teamAshfield Reserve6–0Alan MacKenzie (3), Bobby Despotovski (2), Dale Wingell[20]
6 October 1996WA State teamBayswater Oval5–0Paul Strudwick (2), Bobby Despotovski, Dale Wingell, Gareth Naven[21]

League results
Round Date Opponents Venue Result Scorers Attendance Ref
113 October 1996UTS OlympicH1–4Alan MacKenzie9639[22]
220 October 1996West AdelaideA1–3Paul Strudwick3527[23]
326 October 1996Newcastle BreakersA3–1Paul Strudwick, Bobby Despotovski (2)3750[24]
43 November 1996Canberra CosmosH6–0Paul McVittie, Bobby Despotovski (2), Dale Wingell, Gareth Naven, Scott Miller8053[25]
510 November 1996Collingwood WarriorsA0–05504[26]
616 November 1996Gippsland FalconsH2–3Vas Kalogeracos, Paul Strudwick6299[27]
723 November 1996Sydney UnitedA2–4Paul Strudwick, Vas Kalogeracos3450[28]
81 December 1996Adelaide CityH2–1Gavin Wilkinson, Bobby Despotovski9765[29]
97 December 1996Brisbane StrikersA5–1Gavin Wilkinson, Bobby Despotovski (2), Vas Kalogeracos, Paul Strudwick4028[30]
1014 December 1996Wollongong CityH3–1Paul Strudwick, Bobby Despotovski (2)10281[31]
1121 December 1996South MelbourneA0–17896[32]
1228 December 1996Melbourne KnightsH3–2Paul McVittie, Vas Kalogeracos, Scott Miller14759[33]
134 January 1997Marconi-FairfieldA2–1Vas Kalogeracos (2)5419[34]
1412 January 1997Marconi-FairfieldH1–1Paul Strudwick17582[35]
152 February 1997UTS OlympicA2–0David Barrett (og), Bobby Despotovski7124[36]
169 February 1997West AdelaideH1–1Vas Kalogeracos15737[37]
1715 February 1997Newcastle BreakersH0–211546[38]
1822 February 1997Canberra CosmosA1–4Bobby Despotovski2000[39]
192 March 1997Collingwood WarriorsH0–210964[40]
209 March 1997Gippsland FalconsA1–1Alan MacKenzie2149[41]
2115 March 1997Sydney UnitedH3–1Vas Kalogeracos (2), Dale Wingell11644[42]
2223 March 1997Adelaide CityA1–1Bobby Despotovski5253[43]
2330 March 1997Brisbane StrikersH0–212858[44]
246 April 1997Wollongong CityA3–1Bobby Despotovski (2), Gavin Wilkinson3158[45]
2512 April 1997South MelbourneH4–0Vas Kalogeracos (3), Con Blatsis (og)15197[46]
2620 April 1997Melbourne KnightsA1–3Tony Carbone10000[47]

Statistics

Leading goalscorers

Player details

List of squad players, including number of appearances by competition

Nat Pos Name Appearances Goals
GKVince Matassa110
GKTom Maras80
GKRobert Zabica70
DFGavin Wilkinson243
Vladimir Beretovac130
Vinko Buljubasic250
Tony Carbone81
Doug Ithier120
Paul McVittie252
Scott Miller262
MFGareth Naven251
Craig Naven250
Paul Strudwick237
Peter Vukrimovic62
Dale Wingell252
Marc Wingell20
FWAlan MacKenzie122
FWVasilios Kalogeracos2012
FWBobby Despotovski2314

Statistics accurate to end of 1996–97 NSL season[49]

References
  1. Schwab, Laurie (5 August 1995). "Company WA team for NSL". The Age. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Garcia and Kerr lead new look Glory". Perth Glory FC. 25 September 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  3. Cockerill, Michael (6 September 1995). "Stalled A-League gets key support". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "The first 20 years for Perth Glory". AAP Australian Sports News Wire. Australian Associated Press. 1 December 2015.
  5. Gatt, Ray (9 August 1996). "Cup could be a knockout". The Australian – via Factiva. New national league club Perth Glory have been given permission to miss the Johnnie Walker Cup so they can maximise preparations for their entry into the Ericsson Cup...
  6. Moffatt, Mel (11 October 1996). "Perth's Colour Splash". The West Australian – via Factiva. SA technical director Peter Russell inspected the ground on Wednesday and expressed extreme satisfaction with the changes, which include the erection of 2000 temporary seats.
  7. Moffatt, Mel (14 October 1996). "NSL Big Boys Ruin The Party". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  8. Taylor, John (21 April 1997). "Knights loom large in playoffs". Daily Telegraph – via Factiva. The Glory, needing a draw to qualify for the semi-finals...
  9. Moffatt, Mel (21 April 1997). "Glory Finals Dream Ends In Nightmare". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  10. "Perth Glory Transfers 1996/1997". WorldFootball.net.
  11. "Sampdoria crush fledgling Aussies 3–0". Agence France-Presse. 31 May 1996 – via Factiva.
  12. Moffatt, Mel (6 September 1996). "Six Clubs Face Exile". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  13. Moffat, Mel (9 September 1996). "Sutton Hits Cup Winner". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  14. Moffatt, Mel (11 September 1996). "Glory On The Rampage". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  15. Moffatt, Mel (16 September 1996). "Glory's Striking Worry". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  16. Moffatt, Mel (18 September 1996). "Najdovski On Target For Glory". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  17. Moffatt, Mel (23 September 1996). "Despotovski Puts Partner In Shade". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  18. Moffatt, Mel (27 September 1996). "Glory Lacks Punch Up Front". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  19. Moffatt, Mel (1 October 1996). "Tough Workout Pleases Glory". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  20. Moffatt, Mel (3 October 1996). "MacKenzie Scores Treble In Glory Whitewash". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  21. Moffatt, Mel (7 October 1996). "Glory On The Target For Big Time". The West Australian – via Factiva.
  22. "1996/1997 Season Round 01 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  23. "1996/1997 Season Round 02 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  24. "1996/1997 Season Round 03 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  25. "1996/1997 Season Round 04 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  26. "1996/1997 Season Round 05 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  27. "1996/1997 Season Round 06 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  28. "1996/1997 Season Round 07 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  29. "1996/1997 Season Round 08 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  30. "1996/1997 Season Round 09 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  31. "1996/1997 Season Round 10 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  32. "1996/1997 Season Round 11 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  33. "1996/1997 Season Round 12 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  34. "1996/1997 Season Round 13 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  35. "1996/1997 Season Round 14 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  36. "1996/1997 Season Round 15 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  37. "1996/1997 Season Round 16 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  38. "1996/1997 Season Round 17 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  39. "1996/1997 Season Round 18 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  40. "1996/1997 Season Round 19 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  41. "1996/1997 Season Round 20 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  42. "1996/1997 Season Round 21 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  43. "1996/1997 Season Round 22 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  44. "1996/1997 Season Round 23 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  45. "1996/1997 Season Round 24 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  46. "1996/1997 Season Round 25 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  47. "1996/1997 Season Round 26 Results". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  48. "1996–97 Regular Season Top Scorers". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  49. "Perth Glory roster for 1996/97". OzFootball. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.