Melbourne Knights

Football club infobox
clubname = Melbourne Knights


fullname = Melbourne Knights
Football Club
nickname = Knights, Croatia
founded = 1953
ground = Knights Stadium
(a.k.a 'Melbourne Croatia Sports Centre')
capacity = 15 000
chairman = Matt Tomas
manager = Chris Taylor
a/manager = Aurther Papas
league = VPL
season = VPL 2008
position = Runners-Up
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The Melbourne Knights Football Club is a football (soccer) club representing Melbourne in the Victorian Premier League (VPL), and is a two-time championship winner in the now defunct National Soccer League (NSL). The club is based in the western suburbs of Melbourne and draws much of its support from the Croatian community. The club's identification with its Croatian roots remains strong to this day. It is a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament, and its accomplishments can be likened to that of Canada's Toronto Croatia.

History

Club foundation

The club was founded in 1953 by a small group of Croatian immigrants at a house on Leeds Street in the western suburb of Footscray, and was originally known as SC Croatia. An initial difficulty in fielding teams led SC Croatia to recruit players from various suburbs across Melbourne, as well as from outside the city in Geelong and even the immigrant camp at Bonegilla in north-eastern Victoria. The club went as far as to meet arriving boats of immigrants at ports in Melbourne and Geelong to recruit players. Despite these initial difficulties, the club quickly became successful, making its debut in the Victorian provisional leagues on 10 April 1953. From the very beginning the clubs colours have been the tri-colours of the Croatian flag; red jerseys, white shorts and blue socks. Also from the beginning the Croatian grb (coat of arms) adorned the club emblem.

The early years

In 1957 SC Croatia had shifted its base to Geelong, where it would remain until 1962, which had become a hub for the Croatian community. In 1954 SC Croatia participated in its first Dockerty Cup, but the young club was knocked out in the opening round losing to Yallourn 12-1. SC Croatia quickly moved up the state divisions, and by 1959 they were in Division 1 just outside the premier competition of the State League. The club's first title came in 1959, winning the Division 1 championship on goal difference. A title which they were later stripped of after a successful appeal by the second placed Preston to overturn a result earlier in the season against the Lions. The title was handed to Preston, whom gained promotion to the Victorian State League. That year SC Croatia also made the 5th round of the Dockerty Cup, the furthest the club had been in the competition up until that point.

The president of SC Croatia at the time struck a deal with Preston in 1960, which would see the two sides merge. This was a move not supported by many at SC Croatia, and as a consequence a split occurred. SC Croatia remained in Geelong playing in Division 1, while the breakaway faction played in Melbourne under the name of Preston Croat in the Victorian State League. So for three seasons (1960-1962) the two clubs remained separate. Preston Croat’s inaugural State League season in 1960 was a complete disaster, seeing the club finish 2nd last and being relegated. Preston Croat would quickly return to the top flight after taking out the Division 1 South title in 1961. The club was so dominant that they went through the season undefeated. Also that year, SC Croatia had come extremely close to promotion to the State League, having finished 3rd only 3 points off first. The 1962 State League season again proved to be a poor one for Preston Croat, the club just avoided relegation by 2 points. SC Croatia on the other hand took out the Division 1 title comfortably, winning 19 of its 22 matches. It was disappointing given the promise shown by the club in the pre-season Ampol Cup, with the club making the Semi-Finals.

With both clubs set to compete in the State League in 1963, it was decided that the 2 clubs should finally re-unite. SC Croatia moved its base from Geelong to Melbourne, where the club has remained to this day. The club finished a disappointing 11th in its inaugural season as a re-united side in the State League, being relegated back to Division 1. The highlight of the disappointing year was SC Croatia making the semi finals of the Dockerty Cup. SC Croatia would quickly return to the State League in 1965 after once more winning the Division 1 title, they lost only one match in 1964.

Club legends Bozo Bašić, Frank Bot, Billy Vojtek, Jim Vojtek, Mirko Kovaček and Horst Rau all began their careers at the club during this time.

1965-1972

With SC Croatia’s return to the State League in 1965, the club would cement itself as one of the states most powerful sides under the guidance, for the most part, of long-time coach Michael Kis. Between 1965 and 1972, SC Croatia finished in the top 4 five times and won 9 titles. In its three previous seasons in the State League the club had struggled, and the 1965 season looked like this would continue with SC Croatia losing 6 of its first 9 matches of the season. Relegation was being faced once more. The club president at the time Enver Begović reacted by spending over 5000 pounds to bring in players such as Scottish international Duncan MacKay, Brian Adlam, Hammy McMeechan (who was bought for a then Victorian record transfer fee of 1200 pounds from Slavia), Bill McLyntyre, Joe Keenan, Bobby McLachlan and Ian Currie. These incredible signings saw the club dubbed the 'Glamour Team' of the State League. In the final 13 matches of the season the club won 10 of the matches and had the best record, picking up the most points, of any team in the State League over that period. They even defeated the top 3 sides, South Melbourne SC, Sunshine George Cross and Brunswick Juventus. Despite all this the club finished 6th, the damage at the start of the season was too much to overcome. Croatia also made the final of the Dockerty Cup for the first time, losing 1-0 to Slavia.

In the 1966 season, SC Croatia strengthened its already powerful side, bringing in Jimmy Mackay and Bill MacArthur. The club continued its great form from the second half of the previous season. With 3 games remaining SC Croatia was sitting in 3rd spot, only 2 points behind the first placed South Melbourne SC. Unfortunately SC Croatia crumbled under the pressure, losing all 3 matches to finish fifth. In 1967 SC Croatia once again fell short, finishing third (its highest league finish till that point). The top 4 finish saw SC Croatia qualify for the end of year State League Cup for the very first time.

In 1968 all the hard work of previous years finally paid off with what was the high point of this period, when SC Croatia won its first Victorian State League. Under the captaincy of Horst Rau (the club's longest serving captain), SC Croatia was dominant winning 15 of its 22 matches, and finishing 7 points clear of the second place Polonia. The club had finally lived up to its tag as the 'Glamour Team'. SC Croatia also won the prestigious Dockerty Cup that year, as well as the Ampol Cup to complete a remarkable treble. SC Croatia is one of only two sides to ever achieve that treble, the other being Green Gully in 1981. SC Croatia also in 1968 narrowly lost the Inter City Cup to Hakoah Eastern Suburbs of Sydney 3-2 at Olympic Park. SC Croatia had become one of the most powerful clubs in the country.

The following two seasons, while not being as successful as the landmark season of 1968, saw the club continue to consolidate its position as one of Australia’s strongest sides. SC Croatia finished a respectable 4th in 1968 and 1969, qualifying for the top 4 Sate League Cup both seasons. In the 1969 pre-season Ampol Cup SC Croatia lost in the final to South Melbourne Hellas 2-1. The club would go on to defend its Dockerty Cup title in 1969 defeating Brunswick Juventus 3-1 in the Final. The back-to-back titles were an achievement that at that time had not been achieved by their more fancied and bitter rivals Footscray JUST and South Melbourne Hellas.

1971 was a year that proved to be another highlight for the club. Before the start of the season the club showed itself to be the firm favourites by taking out the Victorian Ampol Cup, defeating bitter rivals Footscray JUST 5-1 in the final. The club took this form into the State League season, after round 15 SC Croatia was equal first along with Footscray JUST. Both sides dominated the competition; SC Croatia had won 11 of those matches and lost only 2. But the club capitulated in the final 7 rounds, picking up only 3 points to finish 3rd behind Footscray JUST and South Melbourne Hellas. But SC Croatia got its revenge and proved it was the best side in Victoria by winning the State League Cup, a tournament played at the end of the season featuring the top four sides in the State League. This was very much like playoffs but it did not count as an official league championship at the time. SC Croatia defeated South Melbourne SC 3-2 in the Grand Final at Olympic Park.

1971 also saw SC Croatia qualify for the Inter City Cup final, which was a match that took place between the respective Victorian and New South Wales Ampol Cup champions. This at the time was the equivalent of being Australian champion. SC Croatia won the Inter City Cup defeating Western Suburbs of Sydney over two legs. The first leg in Melbourne ended in a 1-1 draw, but SC Croatia won the second leg in Sydney, defeating Western Suburbs 3-1 with a hat-trick from Bill McLyntyre. SC Croatia held the unofficial mantle as the best club in the country. They again made the Inter City Cup final the following year, but lost to St George Budapest. SC Croatia lost 4-1 in Sydney and 1-0 in Melbourne.

The strength of the club during this period was particularly shown by a number of its players representing Australia in international football. The first came in 1965 with Hammy McMeechan becoming the club's first international representative. In 1967 Billy Vojtek would follow, becoming the first player of Croatian heritage to play for Australia. In 1970 Jimmy Mackay would become another SC Croatia player to wear the Green and Gold, he became an integral part of Australia’s side that went to the 1974 World Cup. Other great players during this era included Scottish international Duncan Mackay, Bill McLyntyre, Brian Adlam, Hugh Gunn, Bill McArthur, Frank Bot, Ante Kuželek, Mirko Kovaček and the Yugoslavian international Stjepan Lamza who had a stint with the club during the 1972 season.

Expulsion

1972 would be a dark year in SC Croatia’s history. On July 30, 1972 SC Croatia played Hakoah at Olympic Park in Round 19 of the VPL. The match was abandoned after the 62 minute mark after SC Croatia supporters invaded the pitch. The Victorian Soccer Federation kicked the club out of all competitions, it was the first time such a ruling had been handed down. The club had to forfeit its final three matches of the season. Before the Hakoah match SC Croatia was sitting in 5th spot, still a chance of making the top 4 State League Cup. SC Croatia felt it had been victimized, with the decision having more to do with politics, with accusations of interference from bitter rivals Footscray JUST. That same year two Croatian clubs from Geelong were also expelled from their respective leagues by the VSF, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the VSF ruling. At the end of the season the club took the VSF to court, but the club lost the case. Throughout 1973 the club held weekly meetings, despite having no side competing. And Croatian old-boys teams played friendly matches against local sides. In 1974 club members went down a different path to bring the club back. They set their sights on a take-over of the financially struggling Division 1 club Essendon Lions (a Ukrainian backed club). SC Croatia slowly took over the Essendon Lions, which would in following years become Essendon Croatia. The club played out of Montgomery Park in Essendon.

Essendon Croatia's three seasons in Division 1 did not see much success for the club, with the most successful season coming in 1976 when the club finished 3rd. The clubs time in Division 1 was marked by re-building. The drop and eventual take over of Essendon Lions saw most of the clubs previous State League players leave. But none-the-less the club continued to soldier on. In 1974 the club staged the first ‘unofficial’ Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament; this was a pre-cursor to the official tournament which would take place the following year. Also the clubs youth system was producing great young talent during this time that would go on to have a deep influence on Australian football, namely Eddie Krnčević and Branko Čulina.

The return 1977-1983

1977 saw the creation of the National Soccer League, four sides from Victoria entered the NSL. This exodus from the State League allowed the return of Essendon Croatia to the top flight of Victorian football after a 4 year absence. 1977 saw the clubs favourite son, Billy Vojtek, returned to Essendon Croatia to help them get back to the top. The clubs first season back was marked by mixed results. The club started the season as one of the favourites after having won the pre-season Ampol Cup. But early season losses to NSL clubs, Ivan Gruičić to Canberra City FC and John Gardiner to South Melbourne SC (for $13,000), saw the club have a sluggish start to the State League winning only 2 of its first 12 matches. Club legend Duncan MacKay was brought in as coach and his influence had a deep impact with the club having a great second half of the season. Essendon Croatia won 6 of its final 10 matches, to finish a respectable seventh.

It would not be too long before the club once more became one of the top sides in the state. In 1978, under coach Duncan MacKay, the club won its second Victorian State League championship comfortably; the side won a staggering 17 of its 22 matches. The powerful side also dominated in the cup competitions, taking out the Ampol Cup and State League Cup. The club defended its State League title in 1979 winning in a much tighter race, taking it out on goal difference over Frankston City. In that year of 1979 Essendon Croatia took out the prestigious treble; State Champions, Dockerty Cup and the State League Cup. In its first three seasons back in the State League Essendon Croatia won every title that was available, a remarkable come back from a club that was all but dead only a few years earlier. It was a testament to the dedication of the Croatian community. This back to back championship winning side was a powerful one that contained 5 Socceroos; Ken Murphy, Tommy Cumming, Billy Vojtek, Eddie Krnčević and Steve Kokoska. Teenage star Eddie Krnčević made his senior debut at 16 for the club in 1977. He would become Australia’s first overseas success story. Eddie Krnčević headed to Europe in 1981, joining Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb, and he would spend nearly 15 years playing across Europe. The stand out player of the back-to-back winning side was without a doubt the English forward Tommy Cumming. He won the Player of the Year award in both 78 and 79.

From 1980-1983, the club painfully finished runner-up on four successive occasions. In 1980 they finished second to Preston Makedonia, despite having a fantastic season where Essendon Croatia only lost 2 matches. The next three seasons saw the club finish runner up to Green Gully each season. In 1981 and 1982 Green Gully was a relatively comfortable winner. But in 1983 the club came agonizingly close, losing the tile by one point. At this stage the point system in the State League was 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw. If it had been done by today’s system of 3 points for a win Essendon Croatia would have won the title on goal difference. That season Essendon Croatia led Green Gully on the ladder for the first 19 rounds, being on top of the table for 18 of those weeks. A Round 20 loss to Brunswick Juventus would prove disastrous, the club led 2-0 only to have Juventus come back and win 3-2. Croatia won its final 6 matches in a row, but still it wasn’t enough. Essendon Croatia would make up for falling short so many times in the end of year State League Cup's, winning it in 1980, 1981 and 1983 (where the club defeated Green Gully 4-0 in the Final).

During this period Essendon Croatia and its sister club Sydney Croatia were denied entry into the NSL despite dominating their respective state competitions. Lesser clubs, with much smaller supporter bases were given priority over the two powerful Croatia clubs. The same political back stabbing that had caused Melbourne Croatia’s expulsion in 1972 still remained.

Essendon Croatia showed its ability on the national level by participating in the National Soccer League Cup, which was open to the top state league sides for a period, each year from 1978 to 1981. The clubs best performance came in 1978 when the club made it to the Quarter Finals. On their way to the Quarter Finals they defeated Beograd, a Serbian backed club from Adelaide, 3-0. Essendon Croatia made it to at least the second round each time, except for 1980 when it was knocked out in the first round by Heidelberg United. That year Heidelberg United had finished 2nd in the NSL, Essendon Croatia showed the strength of Victorian State League football by pushing them all the way eventually losing 3-2.

Other great players from this era included John Gardiner, Peter Blasby, Branko Čulina, Ante Bilaver, Josip Biškić, Steve Short, Steve Gojević, Ivan Gruičić, George Hannah and Keith Adams.

National Soccer League

1984 NSL entry

Finally in 1984 economics gave the club what lobbying could not. The NSL had been struggling financially, with dwindling crowds. So as a solution the Federation reverted from a one division competition of 16 teams, to a duel conference set-up (North and South) with each conference consisting of twelve teams. With the expansion the club could no longer be ignored and entry to the NSL was finally given. The new era saw the club change its name to Melbourne Croatia. For the 1984 season the club had a squad made up of players from their 1983 state league season, including Steve Gojević, Josip Biskic, Tommy Cumming, Keith Adams, David Brogan, Peter Blasby and George Hannah. The club had a major coup singing legendary Welsh footballer Terry Hennessey as coach. The club would go onto make an incredible impact on debut, finishing 3rd in the regular season and qualifying for the finals, just showing what a strong side the club had in the State League. The highlight of the regular season was the clubs 12 match unbeaten streak, a record for the club in the NSL. But the season didn’t start off in such an amazing manner, winning only 3 of its opening 11 matches. Hennessey was sacked after round 9 and the experienced Tony Vrzina (who had a couple of coaching stints with the club in the 1970s) came in at round 13 seeing the massive turnaround in he clubs fortunes. In the finals, Melbourne Croatia made it to the Major Semi-Final where they faced South Melbourne for a spot in the Conference Grand Final. South Melbourne FC won 3-2 in extra-time in a thrilling match in front of 11,000 fans at Olympic Park. It was a painful loss as Melbourne Croatia had led for a large part of the game only to have South Melbourne FC equalise in the closing minutes to take it to extra-time. Melbourne Croatia with a second chance then faced Heidelberg United, again for a spot in the final against South Melbourne FC. Heidelberg United won 3-1 putting an end to Melbourne Croatia's finals campaign. Melbourne Croatia also made the NSL Cup final that season, winning 5 matches in a row before losing to Newcastle KB United in the Final. In 1985 the club would continue its good form again making the finals, but this time being knocked out in the first match by Preston.

The next three years were very disappointing for the club, they missed out on finals action each season. This was despite some major signings, such as in 1987 when the club signed Socceroos Robbie Dunn and Alan Edward Davidson, and Croatian import Branko Milošević. As well as in 1988 with Socceroos Jeff Olver and Theo Selemidis, and experienced Scotsman Paul Donnelly. But on the park the club still struggled despite having a strong squad. So frustrating was this period for the club that over those three seasons Melbourne Croatia had five different coaches. The closest the side came to finals football was in 1988, at the round 19 mark the club was sitting in sixth only a point outside a finals spot. But the club went onto lose 5 of its final 7 matches. One positive that came out of this period was Mark Talajić who made his debut for the side at only 16 in 1986. He would go on to become a club legend.

Dominance

After those three painful years of non-finals action, 1989 saw the beginning of what can only be described as the golden era of the club. For the next decade the club would make the NSL finals 8 times out of 9 seasons.

1989 was where everything began to click for the club. The club strengthened an already impressive side with imports Zeljko Adzić and Francis Awaritefe, as well as Ivan Kelić and Ivan Duzel from sister club St Albans Dinamo. The club had a strong season, making the finals where they defeated Preston 2-0 and then agonizingly lost to Sydney Olympic in extra time. The club finished 4th. 1989 also saw Melbourne Croatia finally move away from Olympic Park and get its own stadium, the Melbourne Croatia Sports Centre in North Sunshine. This saw a dramatic increase in crowds.

For the season 1989/90, Melbourne Croatia continued to impressed, strengthening their side with Andrew Marth from Sunshine George Cross. The club just missed out on making the Grand Final, losing the Preliminary Final to Sydney Olympic. Melbourne Croatia had taken a 1-0 lead, only to have Sydney Olympic clawed their way back and score the winner 9 minutes from full-time.

In 1990/91 the club had its most successful season in the NSL up to that point. With Ken Worden as coach the club won the Minor Premiership for the first time and made its first of five NSL grand finals. They met city rivals South Melbourne FC in the Grand Final at Olympic Park in front of over 23,000 fans. It was a match that Melbourne Croatia came agonizingly close to winning. Melbourne Croatia led for most of the match before conceding a later equalizer with only minutes to go. And then in the penalty shoot out they led 2-1, with South Melbourne FC missing 3 consecutive penalties. Melbourne Croatia had 2 penalty kicks to win the game, missing both and eventually losing the shootout 5-4.

The 1991/92 season saw the governing body Soccer Australia begin to implement measures to de-ethnicise the NSL and give it more mainstream appeal. Clubs had to replace their ethnic names, Melbourne Croatia changed to Melbourne CSC. That season saw former club legend and Socceroo Ken Murphy take over as coach. Under his tenure the club won the Minor Premiership once more, but again lost the Grand Final on penalties at Olympic Park, this time to Adelaide City. During this period the club continued to produce young talent and introduce them into their side; Mark Silić made his debut at 18 for the club in 1990/91, while Oliver Pondeljak made his debut at 19 in 1991/92.

The 1992/93 season was a disappointing one, with the club failing to make the finals and finishing in 10th position. A lot of this had to do with the loss of a number of key players; Alan Edward Davidson, Francis Awaritefe, Damian Mori and Branko Milošević. Former Knights player Branko Culina was the coach for the season, but disappointing results saw him sacked after 17 games. Despite the poor season the club saw some positives with even more new talent emerging in Mark Viduka, Steve Horvat, Adrian Cervinski and David Cervinski (David joined the club in the following season) and Vinko Buljubašić, as well as the signing of Fausto De Amicis.

For the 1993/94 season Soccer Australia continued with it’s de-ethnicising. They ruled that Melbourne CSC was still ‘ethnic’, seeing the club change its name once more, this time to the Melbourne Knights. On the park to remedy the previous years poor display, the Knights looked to Croatia for help, bringing coach Mirko Bazić out to Australia. His influence had a major impact. The Knights dominated the season, easily winning the Minor Premiership. Future Socceroo captain Mark Viduka made a significant impact that season, at only 18 years of age he finished the season as the NSL’s top goal scorer with 17 goals. He became the first and only player to win the treble of individual awards; Player of the Year, Under 21 Player of the Year and Top Goal-scorer. But the Grand Final saw a repeat of the events of 1991/92, again losing to Adelaide City at Olympic Park. Cruelly it was former Knights player Damian Mori that scored the winner for Adelaide City. It made three Grand Final defeats in 4 years for Melbourne Croatia. The club had earned the tag of ‘chokers’.

Champions of Australia

1994/95 was the season when the long awaited breakthrough was made. Once more the club was a dominant force during the season, the side played a style of football that was head and shoulders above the rest. The club started the season on fire, winning its first 7 matches, a record that is yet to be broken. Unfortunately long-time captain Josip Biskic left the club after round 20, signing with Malaysian club Selanagor FA. Coach Mirko Bazić using his contacts in Croatia brought in import Kresimir Marušić to cover the loss, and he had an immediate impact. The club once more won the Minor Premiership, its fourth in 5 seasons. The Knights had a sluggish start to its finals campaign, losing to Adelaide City over 2 legs. But the club soon made up for it, making the Grand Final after defeating South Melbourne FC 3-2 in the Preliminary Final in a thrilling match at Olympic Park, with Mark Viduka scoring a hat-trick. So for the third time the club met Adelaide City in the Grand Final, but this time in Adelaide at Hindmarsh Stadium. The Knights were dominant, winning 2-0 with goals from captain Andrew Marth and striker Joe Spiteri. It was an impressive season for the club, claiming the treble that year; the Cup (where they defeated Heidelberg United 6-0 in the final), the Minor Premiership and the League. They are the only side to have achieved the feat. The tag of choker was finally put to rest. Mark Viduka had another phenomenal season, this time scoring 21 goals. And he once again took out the treble of individual awards. No other player before or since has been such a dominant force on the national competition.

Following the championship win, the club headed over to Japan for a series of matches against J-League sides. The Knights defeated Jubilo Iwata and more significantly Yokohama Flügels who were the Asian Super Cup champions at the time.

The Knights defended its NSL title the following year, despite having lost a number of players during the off-season; Mark Viduka to Dinamo Zagreb, Steve Horvat to Hajduk Split, Kresimir Marušić also returning to Croatia and the loss of their coach Mirko Bazic. Mirko Bazic was replaced by former Knights player Ian Dobson. These player losses were made up with emerging talent in Josip Šimunić, Tom Pondeljak, Ante Kovačević and Ice Kutlesovski. The 1995/96 season was an extremely tight one, with only 6 points separating first and sixth at the conclusion of the regular season. Melbourne Knights stormed home with 6 wins from its final 7 matches to finish second, only a point behind Minor Premiers Marconi Fairfield. In the finals the Melbourne Knights defeated Marconi over 2 legs, booking a spot in their 5th Grand Final. In the Grand Final the Knights met Marconi again. The club defeated Marconi 2-1 at Olympic Park, their first Grand Final win in their home city. The Knights goals were scored by captain Andrew Marth and striker Adrian Cervinski. The final whistle was followed by jubilant celebrations as thousands of Melbourne Knights supporters invaded the pitch and mobbed the players.

This back-to-back championship winning side is regarded by many as the greatest club side Australia has seen. Nine of the players would go on to play for Australia national football team (Joe Spiteri, Mark Viduka, Frank Jurić, Steve Horvat, Fausto De Amicis, Tom Pondeljak, John Markovski, Andrew Marth and Danny Tiatto), as well as defender Josip Šimunić whom would go on to played for Croatia national football team at two World Cups.

End of an era

For the 1996/97 season the de-ethnicising continued under the helm of the Soccer Australia president David Hill, a key decision was the removal of ethnic symbols from club emblems. So the Melbourne Knights had to change their emblem, removing the Croatian Grb (coat of arms) that had adorned the clubs emblem since 1953.

This was the beginning of the decline of the side, the constant loss of its players began to catched up with the club. For the 1996/97 season the club lost Mark Silić, Frank Jurić, Fausto De Amicis, Danny Tiatto and Vinko Buljubašić, the side was decimated. But most importantly the club was no longer replenishing its ranks with new talent from its youth set up at the same rate as it had done in the past. As well as the club not being able to compete with the big dollars of the new non ethnic clubs that would join the league over the next decade; professional clubs like Perth Glory, Parramatta Power and Carlton. These clubs paid huge salaries to players, the traditional clubs like the Melbourne Knights could not compete and they were priced out of the market. The 1996/7 season saw the Knights just scrape into the finals after a come form behind 3-1 win against Perth Glory in the last round of the regular season. The finals proved to be too much for the side, as they lost comprehensively to rivals South Melbourne FC over 2 legs.

From 1997/98 to the final season of the NSL in 2003/04, the club only made the finals twice. The 1997/98 season saw the return of veterans Ivan Kelic and Alan Edward Davidson, as well as the loss of Josip Simunic to Hamburg SV in Germany, and David Červinski and Lubo Lapsansky to the newly formed Carlton SC. Despite another staggering string of player losses the Knights would still put up a brave fight, going onto narrowly miss the finals that season, losing their crucial final round match against Marconi.

The following two seasons were disastrous for a club so used to success, with the club finishing 12th in both seasons. Matters were made worse with captain Andrew Marth leaving the club in 1998/99, going to Carlton SC. He left the Knights due to his frustrations with the recruitment policy of the club, it was a devastating blow to the club. One highlight in this dark period came in the 1999/00 season when English legend Peter Beardsley came out for at two match guest stint at the club. His first match against South Melbourne FC at Knights Stadium attracted a record 11,500 people; unfortunately the side was thrashed 4-0.

The 2000/01 season was the most successful season during this period, a season that saw the return of championship players Andrew Marth, Steve Horvat and Ljubo Lapsanksy after the early season disbanding of Carlton SC. Coach and club legend Vlado Vanis led the side. He made a number of excellent signings, including forwards Joel Porter and Toto Da Costa. Vanis employed a very attacking style of football, playing 3 strikers; Joel Porter, Toto Da Costa and Adrian Cervinski. They went on to score 36 goals between them. Despite all this Vanis was strangely sacked by club president Harry Mrksa late in the season after the two clashed over a number of issues. Andrew Marth took over as player-coach and guided the club to the finals, where they took out Perth Glory over two thrilling legs and then narrowly lost to Sydney Olympic to finish the season in an impressive 4th position. The following year the Knights again made the finals, but were once more knocked out by Sydney Olympic over two legs.

By 2002/03 the club had once more lost much of their side, the loss of Joel Porter and Toto Da Costa were particularly painful and the club struggled as a consequence in its final 2 seasons in the NSL. There were a few positives such as Anthony Pelikan, who became the clubs star player and one of the NSL’s leading players. In the final season of the NSL (2003/04) the club finished second last, its worst finish ever in the NSL. Despite the poor finish, 9 of the players from the squad in following years would end up at A-League clubs (including 7 that would in subsequent years go to play for Melbourne Victory).

The club's final NSL match was fittingly against sister club Sydney United. The match was played in front of a crowd of 8,423 at the Melbourne Croatia Sports Centre. It was an incredible atmosphere, a celebration of Croatian football in Australia. The match ended 0-0 and with the final whistle there was a mass pitch invasion by the fans of both clubs. The respective captains, Andrew Marth and Mark Rudan, were chaired off the ground.

Return to State football

The NSL was disbanded in 2004 to make way for a new broad based professional league, the A-League. The Melbourne Knights knowing they would not be part of this new league and opted not to bid for a spot in the A-League unlike the other ethnic clubs. The club dropped back to the state league, now called the Victorian Premier League. But the Knights, along with South Melbourne FC were not allowed to enter the 2004 VPL season, with various clubs, in a campaign led by former Socceroo and JUST player Ernie Tapai at Whittlesea, blocking their entry. This was despite assurances from the majority of the VPL clubs prior to the vote that they would vote in support of the entry of the Melbourne Knights into the league. The Knights went to the president of the new Football Federation of Australia, Frank Lowy, for help. The club was told by Lowy that he and his organisation were powerless to do anything the help resolve the issue. As a consequence the club went over 12 months with no football and no source of revenue. This placed the club on the brink of financial ruin, so much so that the club was close to selling its stadium. The 12 month inaction also saw the club lost its entire squad on free transfers, including 3 players that went on to join A-League club Melbourne Victory (Daniel Piorkowski, Steve Pantelidis and Adrian Leijer). The club has never been compensated for these losses.

For the 2005 VPL season saw the club finally resume its football. The Knights had to re-build a squad, creating a difficult first few seasons in the VPL. 2005 saw mixed results for the club as they finished 9th, at one stage challenging for a finals spot.The 2006 season was disastrous. The side started off brilliantly, leading the competition. Then the club was hit by crisis after crisis; board interference in player selection, 3 coaching changes and a player walkout, which nearly saw the club relegated. On a positive note there was the unearthing of an exciting new talent, Mate Dugandžić. He made his debut in the senior side at only 16 years of age. After the 2007 season he would go on to join Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.

2007 proved to be the most successful season for the Melbourne Knights since their return to state football. Strong recruiting by the club, including the signing of former NSL stars Steve Iosifidis and Joe Spiteri, saw the club go into the season with high hopes. Despite this it was a mixed start to the season for the club, winning 2 of its opening 8 games. Soon after the club made 3 key signings; club legend Anthony Pelikan from Oakleigh, under 21 VPL player of the year Daniel Višević from Richmond and up-and-coming player Cameron Watson. These signings saw the club storm home, winning 7 of its final 9 matches and finishing second on the ladder, a point behind the Preston Lions.

In the finals the club lost to Preston, 1-0, in a tightly fought affair. Melbourne Knights had a number of clear cut scoring chances, but failed to capitalise on them. Preston punished the Knights, scoring the winner late in the game. The Knights then took on Oakleigh to keep their title hopes alive. The club proved their class with a strong 1-0 win, the winner came from Anthony Pelikan after having been set up by Mate Dugandžić. Finally the Melbourne Knights once more faced off against Preston, this time for a spot in the Grand Final against Whittlesea. The club lost 2-1 in a controversial match at Bob Jane Stadium. Anthony Pleikan was sent off just before half time, receiving a second yellow card for simulation. The Knights put on a brave performance in the second half, coming agonizingly close on several occasions to leveling the game as they dominated play. But a late strike from Preston against the run of play killed the game off despite a consolation goal deep in injury time.

Overall it was a successful year, finishing 3rd in what was the clubs highest league finish in well over a decade. Added to that the club won the under 21 and under 18 Victorian titles. Midfielder Craig Elvin won player of the year, with Steve Iosifidies and captain Tom Milardović joint runners-up.

upporters

The Melbourne Knights has a large and loyal following, it is one of the best supported clubs in Australia outside the A-League. The Knights supporter base is made up mostly of people from the local Croatian community of Melbourne and Geelong, with the core of the support being from the club's heartland of Melbourne's western suburbs. This supporter base is made up of both Croatian and Australian-born Croats. The club also has a following amongst the Croatian community across the nation, this support was particularly garnered during the clubs 21 seasons in the NSL. The club is a symbol of pride for the Croatian community in Australia.

The unofficial supporter group of the Melbourne Knights is the MCF (Melbourne Croatia Fans). They are the most active and vocal group in the VPL, always having a presence at matches be it at home or away. Also prominent are the supporters on Quarry Hill. In the NSL years the supporter group was the Knights Army, they were one of the leading supporter groups in the competition. They disbanded once the Melbourne Knights left the NSL.

Home ground

The clubs current home ground is Knights Stadium in the suburb on North Sunshine, which has been the club's home since 1989. It has a capacity of 15,000. More information on the Knights Stadium page.

Prior to 1989 the club had a number of venues it used as its home ground. The most significant ones were:

*Corio Park, Geelong: during the 1950s and early 1960s.
*Tracey's Speedway, Maribyrnong: during the 1960s.
*Montgomery Park, Essendon: during the mid 1970s.
*Olympic Park: permanent home during the late 1960s to 1972 and late 1970s till 1988.

Non football roles of the club

ocial

The club has and continues to play an important social role for the Croatian community. Post World War II migration to Australia changed the demographic make up of the country. Croatians along with other continental European migrants entered a society that was at the time quite hostile to these new arrivals. Soccer clubs were formed based around ethnic communities. The Melbourne Knights became a focal point for the community, as it was just as much a social club as a football club. It provided Croatians with a place to gather where they could feel comfortable and safe in their new home. A place where they could mingle with their own and speak their mother tongue. The club allowed for the preservation and celebration of Croatian identity, tradition, culture and language, as well as promoting it to non Croatians. Through the club Croats could hold their head up high with pride. The club continues to be an important institution for the Croatian community, helping keep it alive, as Croatian culture and tradition is passed onto the next generation. The Melbourne Knights still remains the largest meeting place for Victoria’s Croatian community. Its continued importance to the community should not be underestimated.

Political

Over the years the Melbourne Knights played an important political role, with the club being a symbol of Croatian nationalism. Victoria’s Croatian community was made up of people who had fled from the communist regime of Yugoslavia. So the Melbourne Knights, then under the name of Croatia, served as a political statement of the desire of the Croatian people for an independent Croatia. Using the club the community was able to promote and bring awareness to the Croatian plight and independence movement. This role continued into the 90s, after Croatian independence in 1991, with the outbreak of war in Croatia and Bosnia. Melbourne Knights served as a symbol of pride for the community in this dark period, galvanizing the community’s support for the club. Through the club the community was able to show its solidarity with the homeland. Since then with Croatia being independent and stable this political role no longer exists in the same manner.

Youth and Junior development

The Melbourne Knights is a club famous for its youth and junior development, it has one of the best set ups in Australia. Many great players have gone through the youth set up at the Knights, the most notable being Socceroo captain Mark Viduka. A highlight of this strong set-up has been the Melbourne Knights winning the National Youth League 3 times.

Currently the club has sides from the Under 8 to Under 18 level in the Victorian Milo leagues, as well as an Under 20 youth team which serves as the reserves side and plays in the Victorian Premier League Reserves competition. Notable coaches involved at the moment include Billy Vojtek and Mark Talajić.

The club has played a particularly important role with the youth of the Croatian community in both Melbourne and Geelong. As can be seen many of the great footballers from the Knights have been of Croatian heritage.

The success of the clubs youth development can be seen in the number of Knights players that have gone onto play in some of the best football leagues around the world and play international football; 38 Knights players have played for Australia at senior level and 3 for Croatia. As well as countless others who played for Australia at Under 17, Under 20 and Under 23 levels. The 1996 Atlanta Olympic side contained a staggering 5 Knights players; Mark Viduka, Danny Tiatto, Joe Spiteri, Frank Juric and Steve Horvat. Also Vinko Buljibašić and Joe Bačak were part of the qualifying campaign, while Adrian Červinski, Damien Vojtek and Ante Jurić were part of pre-qualifying friendlies.

The Knights are well known for giving young emerging talent opportunities in their senior squad. Players like; Marak Talajic debut at 16, Eddie Krncevic at 16, Josip Šimunić at 17, Mark Viduka at 18, Mark Silić at 18 and more recently with Mate Dugandžić at 16. As such players that have gone through the clubs junior ranks have always made up a large part the Knights squad, such as in the 1990s when the club dominated the NSL.

Rivalries

Footscray JUST

The Melbourne Knights have had many rivalries over the years. The biggest and most heated rivalry was with Footscray JUST. JUST was a Yugoslav backed club so the hate between the clubs ran deep. JUST had links to the Yugoslav communist regime, a regime that many of the Knights supporter had escaped persecution from. These were as much political battles as they were football matches. This rivalry began in 1960 when the clubs first met (Melbourne Knights as Preston Croat) in the Victorian State League. The club's first win against JUST came in 1965 with a 2-1 victory in the Dockerty Cup semi-final. Their first victory against JUST in the Victorian State League also came in 1965 with a 2-1 win away at Olympic Park in Round 16. After the 1972 expulsion the club would not take on JUST for over a decade. The club's last victory against JUST in the Victorian State League came in round 17 of 1972, with a 2-0 at Olympic Park in front of 4,500 fans. Billy Vojtek scored a double.

The rivalry was resumed in 1984 with the Melbourne Knights entering the NSL. In round 25 of 1984 Melbourne Knights defeated JUST 3-1, the first victory against JUST since 1972. 1989 saw what was the greatest victory Melbourne Croatia had against JUST. The two sides that finished at the bottom of the league ladder would be relegated. JUST went into the final round third last, only a point ahead of the bottom two. JUST could not afford a loss. The highly anticipated match at Middle Park was played in front of 5,000 mostly Melbourne Croatia fans. Melbourne Croatia in a dominant display defeated JUST 2-0, with goals coming from Joe Caleta and Zeljko Adzić. The result saw JUST get relegated, adding to the already jubilant celebrations. It was the very last time the two sides ever met on the field and soon after JUST would fold.

outh Melbourne

Since the relegation of Footscray JUST from the NSL, the fiercest rivalry for the Melbourne Knights has been against South Melbourne. It has also been the longest running rivalry. The first time the two sides met was in 1960 in the Victorian Division 1 North. The first victory the club had over South Melbourne came in 1962 (as Preston Croat) in the group stage of the pre-season Ampol Cup with the Knights winning 1-0. And the first time the Knights defeated South Melbourne in the Victorian State League was in 1965, a 3-2 win at Olympic Park.

In the NSL the two sides would have an intense rivalry, which was heightened by the success both sides had in the league. This was clearly seen in the incredible 10 occasions the two clubs met each other in the NSL finals. The first win against South in the NSL came in round 9 of 1985, 2-0. The club would go onto to play many epic matches, the two most famous coming in the 90s. The first came in the 1990/91 Grand Final, which South Melbourne won on penalties. The other being the 1994/95 Major Semi-Final where the Knights won 3-2, with Mark Viduka scoring a spectacular hat-trick. That win booked a spot in the Grand Final for the club. It was one of the greatest matches in Australian club football. For the most part these matches have been tightly fought contests. But the biggest win the Knights had against South came in 2000/01 season when Knights defeated South 4-0. This rivalry which has gone on for over 40 years continues today in the Victorian Premier League. In 2005 the Melbourne Knights defeated South Melbourne for the first time at Bob Jane Stadium, something they were never able to achieve in the NSL.

Head-to-Head NSL games
*Games: 54
*South wins:25
*Knights wins: 13
*Draws: 16
*South goals: 88
*Knights goals: 58

NSL Finals games only
*Games: 10
*Knights wins: 5
*South wins: 4
*Draws: 1

Perth Glory

This rivalry started in 1996/97. Perth Glory was one of the first of the new non ethnic clubs to be introduced by Soccer Australia’s president David Hill. It was all a part of the plan to broaden the supporter base of the NSL and to de-ethnicise it. The arrival of these clubs immediately created a rivalry between the ethnic and non ethnic clubs of the NSL. The most heated of these was the rivalry between the Melbourne Knights and Perth Glory. The rivalry really kicked off in the last match of the 1996/97 regular season. Perth was in 6th spot, holding onto the last finals spot. Perth traveling to the Melbourne Croatia Sports Centre only needed a point to ensure a finals berth. While the Knights in 7th spot, 2 points behind Perth needed nothing less than a win to get the final spot. The match was played in front of 10,000 people. Perth took an early lead. But the Knights came back with an inspired performance by Tommy Pondeljak, scoring a double. The Melbourne Knights won 3-1.

The rivalry was taken to new levels in the 2000/01 season when the two sides met once more, this time in the Finals. The first leg was played at the Melbourne Croatia Sports Centre. In front of 7,000 fans the two sides played out a 0-0. It was a match where Perth player Bobby Despotovski made a 3 fingered Serbian salute to Knights fans. After the match he and others in the Perth squad were attacked by Knights fans as the Perth players boarded the team bus. It made headlines across Australia. In the second leg in Perth in front of 30,000 fans, the odds were stacked against the Knights. But the side put in a phenomenal performance being up 2-0 by the 30th minute mark. Perth came back to level it at 2-2, but it was too late the Knights took out the tie on the away goals rule. The two side have not played each other since the end of the NSL in 2004.

Other

Other important rivalries have been with fellow Melbourne sides Preston Lions, Green Gully, Sunshine Georgies and Heidelberg United, both at state and national level. Matches against Preston in particular have traditionally attracted large crowds. While the rivalry with Green Gully was at its most fiercest in the early 80s when the 2 sides dominated the state league. In the NSL the club had a significant rivalries with Sydney Olympic, Marconi Fairfield and particularly with Adelaide City. The Melbourne Knights and Adelaide City were the two dominant football powers in the early to mid 90s. They met each other 3 times in the Grand Final. The club also has friendly rivalries with fellow Croatian backed clubs Sydney United and St Albans Saints.

For the 2007 VPL season a new rivalry was born with the Serbian backed Springvale White Eagles. The two clubs had never met each other before. In their first match the Knights won 1-0 at home, with a last minute free kick from Anthony Pelikan. It was the first time that the Knights had ever played a Serbian side in a league match in its long history. The second match ended in a 5-2 thrashing of the White Eagles. The White Eagles were relegated after that season, making it a short lived rivalry.

Honours

National
*NSL Australian Champions: 1994/95, 1995/96
*NSL Runner-Up: 1990/91, 1991/92, 1993/94
*NSL Cup Winners: 1994/95
*NSL Cup Runner-Up: 1984
*NSL Minor Premiers: 1990/91, 1991/92, 1993/94, 1994/95
*NSL Finalists (Playoffs): 1984, 1985, 1989, 1989/90, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/97, 2000/01, 2001/02State
*Victorian Champions: 1968, 1978, 1979
*Victorian Runner-Up: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2008
*VPL finalists: 2007, 2008
*VPL Regular Season Runner-Up: 2007, 2008
*Victorian State League Cup Winners: 1971, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983
*Victorian Division One Champions: 1959, *1961 (Preston Croat), 1962, 1964
*Victorian Division Two Runners-Up: 1958
*Victorian Metropolitan League Runners-Up: 1957
*Dockerty Cup Winners: 1968, 1969, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1990, 1996
*Dockerty Cup Runner-Up: 1965, 1977, 1982, 1995
*Ampol Cup (Pre-Season Cup) Winners: 1968, 1971, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1980Other
*Ansett Challenge Shield Winners: 1986, 1987
*Armstrong Cup Winners: 1966, 1977
*Buffalo Cup: 1986, 1987
*Inter City Cup Winners: 1971
*Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament Champions: 1993
*National Youth League Champions: 1989/90, 1996/97, 2000/01

League placings

Victorian Leagues
*1956: Metropolitan League South 4th
*1957: Metropolitan League South 2nd
*1958: Division 2 North 2nd
*1959: Division 1 Champions
*1960: Division 1 North 5th, (Preston Croat 11th Vctorian State League)
*1961: Division 1 North 3rd, (Preston Croat Division 1 South Champions)
*1962: Division 1 North Champions, (Preston Croat 10th Victorian State League)
*1963: Victorian State League 11th
*1964: Division 1 Champions
*1965: Victorian State League 6th
*1966: Victorian State League 5th
*1967: Victorian State League 3rd
*1968: Victorian State League Champions
*1969: Victorian State League 4th
*1970: Victorian State League 4th
*1971: Victorian State League 3rd
*1972: Victorian State League 7th
*1973: Did not participate
*1974: Division 1 9th
*1975: Division 1 7th
*1976: Division 1 3rd
*1977: Victorian State League 7th
*1978: Victorian State League Champions
*1979: Victorian State League Champions
*1980: Victorian State League Runners-Up
*1981: Victorian State League Runners-Up
*1982: Victorian State League Runners-Up
*1983: Victorian State League Runners-UpNational Soccer League
*1984: Northern Conference 3rd
*1985: Northern Conference 5th
*1986: Northern Conference 10th
*1987: 10th
*1988: 9th
*1989: 4th
*1989/90: 3rd
*1990/91: Runner-Up
*1991/92: Runner-Up
*1992/93: 10th
*1993/94: Runner-Up
*1994/95: Champions
*1995/96: Champions
*1996/97: 6th
*1997/98: 7th
*1998/99: 12th
*1999/00: 12th
*2000/01: 4th
*2001/02: 6th
*2002/03: 9th
*2003/04:12th Victorian Premier League
*2005: 9th
*2006: 11th
*2007: 3rd
*2008: Runners-Up

NSL Grand Finals

Overall

Team of the Century

In 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Melbourne Knights, the club named its team of the century:
*1. Peter Blasby – Goal Keeper (1978-1985)
*2. George Hannah - Defender (1983-1994)
*3. Steve Horvat - Defender (1993-1996, 2000-2003)
*4. Steve Kokoska - Defender (1977-1983)
*5. Andrew Marth - Defender (1989-1998, 2000-2004)
*6. Jimmy Mackay - Midfielder (1965-1972)
*7. Tommy Cumming - Midfielder (1978-1985)
*8. Josip Biskic (VC) - Midfielder (1982-1995)
*9. Billy Vojtek - Striker (1962-1972, 1977-1978)
*10. Horst Rau (C) - Midfielder (1961-1972)
*11. Mark Viduka - Striker (1993-1995)

Substitutes;
*12. Mirko Kovaček - Goal Keeper
*13. Hammy McMeechan - Midfielder
*14. Josip Šimunić - Defender
*15. Danny Tiatto - Midfielder
*16. Kenny Murphy - Midfielder
*17. John Gardiner - Defender

Coach: Michael Kis (1966-1970, 1972)

Other Nominees:
* Keith Adams
* Bozo Bašić
* Mirko Bažić (coach)
* Ante Bilaver
* David Červinski
* Adrian Červinski
* Fausto de Amicis
* Steve Gojević
* Ivan Gruičić
* Ivan Kelić
* Ante Kuželek
* Billy McArthur
* Bill McLyntyre
* David Miller
* Branko Milošević
* Tom Pondeljak
* Mark Talajić

International players

The club has produced many players who have gone on to be Australian internationals (including 4 Socceroo captains), along with several Croatian internationals. These include:

Australia
* Zeljko Adžić - 1 Cap
* Francis Awaritefe - 3 Caps
* Yaka Banović - 8 Caps
* Jim Campbell - 8 Caps
* Pablo Cardozo - 4 Caps
* Jason Čulina - 25 Caps
* Tommy Cumming - 11 Caps
* Alan Edward Davidson - 77 Caps (C)
* Fausto De Amicis - 5 Caps
* Robbie Dunn - 38 Caps
* Steve Horvat - 32 Caps (C)
* Ante Jurić - 4 Caps
* Frank Jurić - 4 Caps
* Steve Kokoska - 1 Cap
* Eddie Krnčević - 35 Caps (C)
* Adrian Leijer - 1 Cap
* Paul Lewis - 6 Caps
* Jimmy Mackay - 52 Caps - World Cup 1974
* John Markovski - 20 Caps
* Andrew Marth - 21 Caps
* Hammy McMeechan - (First Knights player to play international football)
* Ljubo Miličević - 3 Caps
* Branko Milošević - 15 Caps
* Damian Mori - 42 Caps
* Kenny Murphy - 42 Caps
* Jeff Olver - 53 Caps
* Tom Pondeljak - 4 Caps
* Joel Porter - 10 Caps
* Matthew Spiranovic - 1 Cap
* Joseph Spiteri - 8 caps
* Theo Selemidis - 17 caps
* Mark Talajić - 1 Cap
* Danny Tiatto - 23 Caps
* Kris Trajanovski - 16 Caps
* Mark Viduka - 42 Caps - World Cup 2006 (C)
* Billy Vojtek - 44 Caps

Croatia
* Zeljko Adžić - 1 Cap
* Joey Didulica - World Cup 2006
* Josip Šimunić - World Cup 2002, 2006

"'England
* Peter Beardsley

Ghana
* Ransford Banini (youth international)

Ireland
* Ryan Casey (youth international)

Lebanon
* Michael Reda

New Zealand
* Vaughan Coveny
* Brian Davidson
* Chris Jackson
* Paul Urlović
* Ivan Vicelich

Scotland
* Duncan MacKay

Solomon Islands
* Henry Fa'arodo

Uruguay
* Gustavo Biscayzacu (youth international)

Yugoslavia
* Stjepan Lamza

Individual awards

Johnny Warren Medal - NSL Player of the Year
*1989/1990 - Zeljko Adžić
*1991/1992 - Josip Biskic
*1993/1994 - Mark Viduka
*1994/1995 - Mark Viduka

Coach of the Year
*1993/1994 - Mirko Bažić

NSL Top Goal Scorer
*1993/1994 - Mark Viduka
*1994/1995 - Mark Viduka Sam Papasavas Award - Under 21 NSL Player of the Year
*1993/1994 - Mark Viduka
*1994/1995 - Mark Viduka

NSL Goalkeeper of the Year
*1995/1996 - Frank Juric

Joe Marston Medal - NSL Grand Final Man of the Match
*1990/1991 - Josip Biskic
*1994/1995 - Steve Horvat
*1995/1996 - Andrew Marth

Victorian Premier League Gold Medal - VPL Player of the Year
*1978 - Tommy Cumming
*1979 - Tommy Cumming

Bill Fleming Medal - Media voted VPL Player of the Year
*1978 - Tommy Cumming
*1979 - Tommy Cumming

Victorian Premier League Coach of the Year
*2008 - Chris Taylor

Jimmy Rooney Medal - VPL Grand Final Man of the Match
*2008 - Craig Elvin

Weinstein Medal Junior Player of the Year
*1996 - Ljubo Miličević

Top goal-scorers

*1962 - Horst Rau 6 (Preston Croat)
*1963 - Jim Fernie 12
*1965 - Ian Currie 14
*1966 - Billy Vojtek 10
*1971 - Ibro Hadiavdić 5, Joe Touricar 5
*1972 - Ante Kuželek 6
*1977 - Kenny Murphy 8
*1983 - David Brogan 21, Tommy Cumming 19
*1984 - David Brogan 9 (2 finals), Steve Gojevic 8 (1 finals), Tommy Cumming 7 (1 finals)
*1985 - Gary Ward 8
*1986 - Paul Lewis 6
*1987 - Paul Lewis 10
*1988 - Paul Lewis 13
*1989 - Željko Adžić 13 (2 finals), Ivan Kelic 11, Francis Awaratife 10
*1989/90 - Željko Adžić 11, Francis Awaratife 8 (1 finals), Joe Caleta 8 (1 finals), Ivan Kelic 6
*1990/91 - Ivan Kelić 17 goals, Francis Awaratife 11 (1 finals)
*1991/92 - Francis Awaratife 14, Damian Mori 11
*1992/93 - Oliver Pondeljak 10, Ivan Kelic 9
*1993/94 - Mark Viduka 17 (1 finals), Adrian Cervinski 11 (2 finals), Andrew Marth 9
*1994/95 - Mark Viduka 21 (3 finals), Joe Spiteri 11 (1 finals)
*1995/96 - Andrew Marth 10 (1 finals), Joe Spiteri 9, Tom Pondeljak 9 (1 finals)
*1996/97 - Adrian Červinski 13 (1 finals), Ice Kutlesovski 10
*1997/98 - Tom Pondeljak 11, Ivan Kelic 11
*1998/99 - Ivan Kelić 10
*1999/00 - Adrian Červinski 11, Ivan Kelic 11
*2000/01 - Adrian Červinski 13 (1 finals), Joel Porter 12, Toto Da Costa 11
*2001/02 - Joel Porter 12 (1 finals), Toto Da Costa 11
*2002/03 - Anthony Pelikan 10, Gustavo Biscayzacu 7
*2003/04 - Anthony Pelikan 7
*2005 - Nathan Caldwell 9
*2006 - Nathan Caldwell 8, Andrew Barisic 7
*2007 - Anthony Pelikan 8 (1 finals), Joe Spiteri 6 (1 finals)
*2008 - Andrew Barisic 19 (1 finals), Joe Spiteri 8 (1 finals)

Notable former coaches

* Mirko Bažić
* Josip Biskic
* Miron Bleiberg
* Luka Bonacic
* Branko Čulina
* Ian Dobson
* John Gardiner
* Terry Hennessey
* Domagoj Kapetanovic
* Michael Kis
* Duncan MacKay
* Andrew Marth
* Kenny Murphy
* Peter Ollerton
* Tony Vržina
* Ken Warden

Club records

* Best Result in the NSL: W 8-1 v Wollongong Macedonia at Knights Stadium(h) 7.3.91
* Worst Result in the NSL: L 0-6 v Adelaide City at Hindmarsh Stadium (a) 7.4.91
* Best Result in State Competitions: W 29-1 V Brunswick Latvia at Corio Oval(h) 29.8.59
* Best Regular season NSL Crowd (home): 11,415 v South Melbourne at Knights Stadium 5.3.00
*Best Finals Series NSL Crowd: 23,318 vs South Melbourne (1990/91 Grand Final) at Olympic Park
* Most Goals in a Match (NSL): Ivan Kelić 6 goals v Wollongong Macedonia at Knights Stadium(h) 7.3.91
*Most Matches in the NSL: Josip Biskic 282 matches, Andrew Marth 269 matches
* Most Goals in the NSL: Ivan Kelić 78 goals, Adrian Cervinski 58 goals
* Most Goals in a Season: 21 Mark Viduka 94/95
* Best Games to Goal Ratio: 0.83 Mark Viduka 40 goals/48 games
*Most Games Coached in the NSL: Mirko Bažić
*Biggest Winning Streak in the NSL: 7 games - 23/10/1994 - 4/12/1994
*Biggest Unbeaten Streak in the NSL: 12 games - 13/05/1984 - 26/08/1984
*Biggest Losing Streak in the NSL: 4 games - 12/4/98 - 30/10/98 & 3/10/99 - 22/10/99
*Biggest Streak Without a Win in the NSL: 8 games - 13/12/98 - 7/02/99 & 12/12/99 - 30/01/00
*Biggest Winning Streak in the VPL: 19 games - 17-02/2008 - 29/06/2008

Current squad

Nationality given from place of birth

Links

*List of Croatian football clubs in Australia
*Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
*Croatian Australian
*
*Sydney United - sister club to Melbourne Knights

External links

* [http://www.melbourneknights.com.au/ Official Website of the Melbourne Knights SC]
* [http://www.footballfedvic.com.au/ Football Federation of Victoria official website]
* [http://www.mcfansonline.net/ Melbourne Croatia Fans website]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/s565136.htm Four Corners interview with the Knights Army]
* [http://www.sesasport.com.au/pages/documents/Croatiasquads1953-2006.pdf Melbourne Knights squads 1953-2006]
* [http://www.ausfootballreview.com/afr/pmwiki.php/NSL/Melbourne_Croatia_Melbourne_Knights/ Melbourne Knights NSL crowds]
* [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSL/NSL.html Melbourne Knights NSL results]
* [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC.html Melbourne Knights State League results]
* [http://www.ozfootball.net/museum/coachmgr.html Melbourne Knights coaches in the NSL]
* [http://www.stonningtoncitysc.com/Hellas/1984SMHellasvMCroatia_3-2_aet_Semi%20Final.wmv/ Melbourne Knights video from 1984]
* [http://www.melbournecroatia.net/Gallery/tabid/58/AlbumID/377-4/Default.aspx/ Melbourne Knights pictures]
* [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Clubs/C/CroatiaDH.html Melbourne Knights first grade divisional history 1956-1972]
* [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Clubs/M/MelbourneKnightsDH.html Melbourne Knights first grade divisional history 1976-2006]
* [http://www.vulgar.com.au/libero/alltime.html All time NSL table]
* [http://members.ccmariners.com.au/aleague/CCM/article/show.asp?articleid=5974&menuItemID= NSL Grand Final details]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePx5nn0Go-I&mode=related&search= Video of 1994/95 Preliminary Final against South Melbourne Part 1]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuOnTmTNS7c&mode=related&search= Video of 1994/95 Preliminary Final against South Melbourne Part 2]