1995–96 National Soccer League

Background

After an attempt to reduce the number of NSL teams from 14 to 12, the Australian Soccer Federation announced that a new competition known as the A-League would operate in parallel to the NSL. After a series of legal challenges, the A-League became the sole national league with largely the same composition of teams as the previous NSL season. The change was seen at the time as a rebranding rather than a new competition. Prior to the season beginning, the league announced a sponsorship agreement with Ericsson that was supposed to last until 2000, though was terminated a year early in mid-1999. The sponsorship led to the league being renamed the Ericsson Cup, though the A-League and NSL names were still used in various forms.

The commencement of the season was delayed as relegated teams Melbourne SC and Heidelberg United obtained court injunctions to prevent the league going ahead. Eventually the injunction was lifted in the Federal Court of Australia to allow the league to start, albeit several weeks late.

Changes from 1994–95

Parramatta Eagles, Melbourne SC and Heidelberg United were excluded from the national league, while Newcastle Breakers returned after a one-season absence. The Canberra Cosmos entered the league for the first time.

Sydney Olympic signed a deal with the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) to become known as UTS Olympic.

After using penalty shootout to break ties in 1994–95, the draw returned for league play in 1994–95.

Overview

The league was composed of 12 teams. After 33 rounds, Marconi-Fairfield were crowned minor premiers. In the final series, Marconi-Fairfield and the Melbourne Knights contested the 1996 A-League Grand Final, with Melbourne Knights prevailing 2–1.

Teams

Prior to the start of the season, the Newcastle Breakers withdrew from the competition citing financial difficulties. The withdrawal of the Breakers left 13 teams, meaning each team had two byes for the season.

Regular season

League table

Finals series

|RD2-seed1=1 |RD2-team1=Melbourne Knights |RD2-score1-1=1 |RD2-score1-2=2 |RD2-score1-3=(3) |RD2-seed2=2 |RD2-team2= Marconi Fairfield |RD2-score2-1=0 |RD2-score2-2=2 |RD2-score2-3=(2)

|RD1-seed1=3 |RD1-team1=UTS Olympic |RD1-score1-1=0 |RD1-score1-2=0 |RD1-score1-3=(0) |RD1-seed2=5 |RD1-team2=Adelaide City |RD1-score2-1=2 |RD1-score2-2=1 |RD1-score2-3=(3)

|RD1-seed3=4 |RD1-team3=Brisbane Strikers |RD1-score3-1=0 |RD1-score3-2=1 |RD1-score3-3=(1) |RD1-seed4=6 |RD1-team4=Sydney United |RD1-score4-1=2 |RD1-score4-2=2 |RD1-score4-3=(3)

|RD2-team3=Adelaide City |RD2-score3=1 |RD2-team4=Sydney United |RD2-score4=0

|RD3-team1=Marconi Fairfield |RD3-score1= 4 |RD3-team2=Adelaide City |RD3-score2=1

|RD4-team1=Melbourne Knights |RD4-score1= 2 |RD4-team2=Marconi Fairfield |RD4-score2=1

Grand Final

Main article: 1996 National Soccer League Grand Final

15:00 AEST Cervinski

Individual awards

• Johnny Warren Medal: Damian Mori (Adelaide City)
• U-21 Player of the Year: Jim Tsekenis (West Adelaide)
• Top Scorer: Damian Mori (Adelaide City) – 31 goals
• Coach of the Year: John Perin (Adelaide City)

Notes

References

• - NSL Awards
• Australia - List of final tables (RSSSF)

References

1. Schwab, Laurie. (6 August 1995). "New League Announced". The Age.
2. Cockerill, Michael. (16 December 1999). "Eve of extinction". The Sydney Morning Herald.
3. Cockerill, Michael. (5 October 1995). "A-plus: Hill nets five-year sponsor". The Sydney Morning Herald.
4. Cockerill, Michael. (5 September 1995). "Stalled A-League gets key support". The Sydney Morning Herald.
5. Cockerill, Michael. (20 September 1995). "Court clears deck for A-teams". The Sydney Morning Herald.
6. Cockerill, Michael. (1 October 1995). "A-League far from the big league". The Sydney Morning Herald.
7. Schwab, Laurie. (1995-09-06). "Soccer's chiefs cross line in bid for change". The Age.
8. Schwab, Laurie. (1995-10-08). "Olympic sets its sights". The Age.
9. (19 May 1995). "4-1 win secures Marconi grand final spot". The Age.
10. Cockerill, Michael. (26 May 1996). "It's two in a row for Knights". The Sydney Morning Herald.
11. Schwab, Laurie. (18 October 1994). "NSL kicking uphill from start". The Age.
12. Cockerill, Michael. (18 October 1994). "Soccer puts a brave face on unsponsored league kick-off". The Sydney Morning Herald.
13. Schwab, Laurie. (21 May 1996). "Mori tops soccer poll by record 186 votes". The Age.