Perth Kangaroos IFC
Perth club that won Singapore's league undefeated in 1994.
Perth Kangaroos International Football Club was a soccer side from Perth, Western Australia. In 1994, they competed as an overseas team in Singapore’s FAS Premier League and won the championship. The club is seen as a predecessor to the A-League’s Perth Glory.
The team was formed in 1994 by Global Football Australia, a consortium headed by businessman Joe Claudio. Western Australia had sought a place in Australia’s National Soccer League (NSL) since its 1977 launch, but logistical and financial issues kept the league from adding a WA club. The hope was that playing in Singapore would either open the door to the NSL or help secure a spot in a planned Asia-Pacific Super League. The Kangaroos were one of two Australian teams in the 1994 FAS Premier League, alongside the Darwin Cubs.
Craig Naven initially captained the side, later replaced by his brother Gareth Naven. The manager was Gary Marocchi, with Mickey Brennan as assistant. On the pitch, the Kangaroos were unbeaten in the league season and won the title comfortably. Off it, the venture was a financial failure. Crowds were much smaller than expected, and partway through the season Global Football Australia went bankrupt, handing control to the Soccer Association of Western Australia.
The Kangaroos disbanded after 1994. But their success in Singapore caught the NSL’s attention. In 1995, a different Perth consortium led by Nick Tana successfully bid for NSL entry. Perth Glory was formed and joined the NSL in 1996, later becoming an A-League club in 2005.
Quick Facts
- Clubname
- Perth Kangaroos
- Fullname
- Perth Kangaroos International Football Club
- Nickname
- The Kangaroos
- Founded
- 1994
- Dissolved
- 1995
- Ground
- Macedonia Park / Dorrien Gardens
- Capacity
- 1,000
- Chairman
- Joe Claudio
- Manager
- Australia Gary Marocchi
- League
- FAS Premier League
- Position
- 1st
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Perth Kangaroos was assembled in 1994 by Global Football Australia, a consortium led by businessman Joe Claudio. Western Australia had sought entry into Australia's National Soccer League since 1977, but logistical and financial issues prevented inclusion. The Kangaroos were created to either pave the way for NSL entry or to join a mooted Asia-Pacific Super League. They were one of two Australian teams in the 1994 FAS Premier League, the other being Darwin Cubs.
Reader's Guide
The Perth Kangaroos' significance lies in their role as a precursor to Perth Glory, which entered the NSL in 1996 and later the A-League in 2005. On the field, the Kangaroos finished the 1994 season undefeated and won the Singapore league title, demonstrating the viability of a Western Australian club. However, the venture was a financial disaster: attendances were far lower than expected, and Global Football Australia declared bankruptcy mid-season, handing control to the Soccer Association of Western Australia. The team disbanded after 1994, but their success in Singapore caught the NSL's attention, leading to a successful bid by a Perth-based consortium led by Nick Tana in 1995. The Kangaroos thus indirectly helped establish a permanent top-flight club in Western Australia.
Did You Know?
- Perth Kangaroos won the 1994 FAS Premier League undefeated.
- The team was captained initially by Craig Naven, later by his brother Gareth Naven.
- Global Football Australia, the consortium behind the team, declared bankruptcy partway through the season.
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