That game was to be the last in the National Soccer League, but in just eight seasons Perth had featured in the finals six times, played in four grand finals, won two championships and been crowned premiers three times.Ī new era in Australian football began with the formation of the Hyundai A-League in August 2005 and despite still being in its infancy, the new competition has captured a large portion of the national sporting marketplace as Australians have embraced the world game. Glory went on to consolidate their status as Australia’s most powerful club by sealing back-to-back championships, with a ‘Golden Goal’ from Nik Mrdja securing a dramatic win away at Parramatta Power in the 2004 Grand Final.
The wait for Championship success finally ended in 2002/03, however, when Perth was crowned the nation’s best following a deserved 2-0 revenge victory over Sydney Olympic in front of another packed house at Subiaco Oval. The club would play in another Grand Final at Subiaco Oval in the 2001/02 season and again came up just short, this time edged out 1-0 by Sydney Olympic. Perth duly hosted the Grand Final in June 2000 and set a record domestic football crowd of 43,242 at Subiaco Oval.ĭespite going down on the day to Wollongong Wolves in a dramatic penalty shoot-out, the Perth Glory brand continued to make inroads into non-traditional football households throughout WA. The club ultimately fell one match short of reaching the Grand Final, but the standard had been set and from that point on, Perth Glory featured prominently in the NSL finals each and every season. In a stunning season, Perth Glory played finals football for the first time, sold-out the 25,000-capacity WACA ground and became the hottest ticket in town. The charismatic Bernd Stange took the reins as coach in 1998 and the former East Germany national team boss immediately made his mark. The Perth Glory story began on Octoat Perth Oval (now HBF Park).ĭespite a 4-1 loss to UTS Olympic, Perth Glory captured the hearts of football lovers throughout the State and their introduction into the National Soccer League heralded a new level of professionalism across the competition.
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