History of Wollongong Wolves

In 1981 the number of teams in the national league (formed four years earlier) was increased from 14 to 16. The national league executive was also intent on expanding the geographic base of the league, with a team from south of Sydney an obvious candidate. The Illawarra region had a large population base, rich soccer tradition and was separate - although still geographically close to - established soccer areas such as Sydney and Canberra.

The Illawarra region had previously enjoyed a dose of football fever. In the early 1960s big name player Jim Kelly arrived from England to join South Coast United. Kelly attracted previously unheard of crowds to games. In what is still probably Illawarra's biggest achievement in the domestic soccer scene, the Kelly-led South Coast United defeated APIA in the grand final of the 1963 NSW premiership in front of a massive 30,158 crowd. No team from the Illawarra region was strong enough to fill the void after South Coast United's demise in the early 1970s. Painful as it was to the Illawarra community, the region did not have a team ready to enter the inaugural 1977 national league season.

Wollongong City was formed specifically for entry into the 1981 season of the national league. Although having the strong support of the Wollongong Leagues Club, starting a national league team from scratch was in reality a risky undertaking in those times. In the first decade of the national league several clubs, especially those built specifically for the national league, had a relatively short life span. Add to this was the fact that Ken Morton, player-coach of the Wolves in its first year, had a budget of a mere $70,000 from which to buy an entire national league squad. In that same year, Sydney (now UTS) Olympic spent $120,000 on just four players! Wollongong's first ever national league game was against Olympic, on 15 February 1981. Of course, every Australian soccer pundit was predicting Wollongong to dip out by a long way to their richer first-up opponents. Everyone except the 8,000 who turned out that day at Wollongong Showgrounds that is! The history books now read that Wollongong won that first game 3-1, and actually got through their first eight games without being defeated.

After a promising first couple of years, the Wolves had a lean period in the mid-eighties. The Wolves were relegated when the league was drastically cut from 24 to 14 teams for the 1987 season. Wollongong soon returned, after winning the 1987 NSW first division. This newly found winning habit continued throughout the Wolves first year back in the national league, where they finished the home-and-away season on top of the ladder. Unfair finals scheduling sadly saw Wollongong play, but lose, both of their semi-finals. The Wolves first semi that year was played against Sydney United at Marconi Stadium - less than two kilometres from United's home ground. The second semi, against Marconi, was played at - you guessed it - Sydney United's home ground! Wollongong only needed to win one of these games to make the 1988 grand final.

Despite never really being one of the glamour sides of the national league, Wollongong is now one of the most stable clubs in Australia. Strong and sensible management, a traditionally steady on-field performance, impressive local media coverage and a magnificent home ground has ensured a high level of acceptance by the Illawarra community. All the Wolves need now is a major trophy to capture the underlying support that exists on the 370,000 person-strong region. With the likes of smart and tactful coach Nick Theodorakopoulos, and an infusion of fresh playing talent, the Wolves' first Ericsson Cup trophy may not be too far away.

Statistical summary of Wollongong in the national league