The Australian Premier Cup

[slugger922cubs]

Introducing the Australia Premier Cup. The Australia Premier Cup consists of 5 leagues based on the Australian continent and New Zealand. These 5 leagues are the New Zealand League, New South Wales League (and Canberra), Queensland League, Southern League (Victoria and Tasmania), and lastly the Western League (The west half of the continent). Based on a 5 year average leagues are given spots into the Premier Cup playoffs. Each league also its own League cup playoffs at the end of the regular season and before the start of the Premier Cup. There are around 20 teams in each league. The objective of this league is to develop a universe that operates and feels similar European soccer as closely as OOTP allows. All players enter as IFAs there are no drafts. Financials are uncapped and relatively laissez faire. Ultimately the goal is to have each league dominated by a few large clubs with mid-table clubs pecking in on occasion and a few small teams making runs every so often. I have spent many seasons getting this system as close to reality as I feel is possible. Due to limitations with OOTP i do not feel like Promotion and Relegation is a great fit for this league at the moment and will instead focus on the 5 single leagues with an Association playoff. I will attempt to post regularly with standings updates and integrating stories as the league advances and evolves. My first couple posts will be dedicated to the introduction of the Premier Cup, Its 5 leagues, and the various clubs that occupy each one.
Next: The Premier Cup Primer post (a introduction)
Upcoming: The New South Wales League

[slugger922cubs]

As mentioned before the Premier Cup features 5 leagues. These leagues are as follows:
1. Southern Association (22 teams/4 Premier Cup Qualifiers)
2. New Zealand National League (16/4)
3. Queensland Premier League (22/3)
4. New South Wales Championship (18/3)
5. Western Association (18/2)

Each team receives bids into the 16 team Premier Cup Championship based on that league's previous results in the Premier Cup. The top 2 leagues receive 4 bids, the third and fourth receive 3 bids, and the last place league receives only 2 bids. the bracket is seeded and so teams that finish higher in their leagues play teams that finished lower in their leagues and grouped such that teams from the same league may not match-up until the semi-finals. Rounds are 7 gm -9 gm -9 gm -9 gm.

Each League's season runs from early August until the end of December. On average teams play around 130 games. This varies league to league so teams can play a balanced schedule against every team in the league. Typically this is one home and one road series versus each opponent. At the end of the regular season the top 8 clubs in each league qualify for the League Cup. Rounds for the league cup are 3gms - 5gms - 5gms. These games happen in early January.

Financials are heavily based on local revenues and merchandising. Revenues are not shared between clubs. The financial setting is set to all cash so all money a club earns is invested back into the club for scouting, development, or on players directly. Following them the Premier Cup playoffs happen and run until early March.

Each club features a European soccer like player development model. Players are not drafted. Instead signed with bonuses to contracts. From there players are on development i.e. minor league contracts and are assigned to that clubs academies or affiliates. Each club typically has a Reserve team and many clubs have varying degrees of U24, U21, and U18 clubs and participate in varying regional leagues at those levels.

[slugger922cubs]

I have a post outlining the New South Wales league and details about each of its 18 clubs in the works. Expect that over the weekend.

[slugger922cubs]

Albion Park (Wollongong)
nickname: Warriors
founded:1973
colors: White and Navy
Stadium: MacCabe Park (22,308)
Accomplishments: League Champions 1986, 1989
Affiliates: Albion Park Reserves, Albion Park B, Albion Park U21
Rivals: Port Kembla, Central Coast

The Warriors out of Wollongong are named after nearby Albion Park. For most of their existence they have struggled. However in the late 1980’s they managed to win a couple league titles.

Athletic Club (Canberra)
nickname: The Flyers
founded: 1973
colors: Navy and Orange
Stadium: Calwell District Fields (24,900)
Accomplishments: League Champs 1975
Affiliates: Athletic Club Reserves, Athletic Club Juniors
Rivals: Capital District, Port Kembla

Early on in their existence Athletic club found success. Typically finishing top 5 in the New South Wales Championship. Since then Athletic Club has been mostly confined to mid table finishes. Despite their mediocrity Canberra has found itself full of Athletic Club supporters. They found their games the third most attended in NSW and have the second highest budget.

Capital District (Canberra)
nickname: Senators
founded: 1973
colors: Maroon and Gold
Stadium: Manuka Park Grounds (27,662)
Accomplishments: League Champions 1978, 81, 83
Affiliates: Capital District Reserves, Capital District Juniors
Rivals: Athletic Club, Wagga Wagga

Like their crosstown rivals Athletic Club Capital District was relatively successful early in their history. Unlike their rivals in the Capital Derby Capital District has hit on hard times. Only having a winning record once in the last 8 seasons and no finish better than 11th out of 18.

Central Coast (Gosford)
nickname: Cougars
founded: 1973
colors: Purple and White
Stadium: Waterview Park (22,400)
Accomplishments: League Champions 1982
Affiliates: Central Coast Reserves, Central Coast B, Central Coast U21s
Rivals: Western Sydney, Newcastle, Northshore

Based in Central Coast region between Sydney and Newcastle the Cougars have always found ways to be a top club. Despite being a top club and typically finishing top 5 Central Coast has failed to win much Silverware.

Club Tamworth (Tamworth)
nickname: Talons
founded: 1983
colors: Navy and White
Stadium: Angora Park(16,500)
Accomplishments: None
Affiliates: Club Tamworth Reserves, Club Tamworth U21

Created to service inland NSW fans Club tamworth have only had 1 winning season. It was unanticipated that supporters from the north were already committed to teams like Port MacQuarie, Coffs Harbour and Tweed Heads. A significant lack of local support has hampered Club Tamworth throughout their history.


Coffs Harbour (Coffs Harbour)
nickname: Black Cats
founded:1973
colors: Red and Black
Stadium: Coffs Harbour Showground (19,800)
Accomplishments: None
Affiliates:Coffs Harbour Reserves, Coffs Harbour Youth
Rivals: Hunter Valley, Tamworth, Port MacQuarie

The Black Cats are traditionally not successful. Financially they are unable to compete with larger clubs from the south of the state. Yet they have managed a second place finish and a third place finish in their history. Still their lack of success has managed to allow rival Port MacQuarrie into a perennial mid table club.


Dubbo County (Dubbo)
nickname: Ducks
founded:1983
colors: Black and White
Stadium: Dubbo Showground (15,400)
Accomplishments: League Champs 1993
Affiliates: Dubbo Reserves, Dubbo U21s
Rivals:Orange Town, Port Kembla
Dubbo County is one of the smallest clubs in the NSW Championship. Despite being in a small town their area of influence is larger and and makes them a popular team. For many years Dubbo County has been a small club managing a budget in the bottom half of the league. Yet recently they have managed to put together many top finishes. Even managing to win a title in 1993.

Empire Club (Central Sydney)
nickname:Emeralds, E’s, Elephants
founded:1996
colors: Green and Gold
Stadium: Empire Oval (22,466)
Accomplishments: None
Affiliates: Empire Club Reserves, Empire Club U21
Rivals: Western Sydney, St. George

The newest club in the NSW Championship based out of Sydney.

Hunter Valley (Maitland)
nickname: Thoroughbreds
founded:
colors: Green and Yellow
Stadium: Cooks Square Park (18,779)
Accomplishments: League Champs 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988
Affiliates: Hunter Valley Reserves, Hunter Valley Juniors, Hunter Valley U21
Rivals: Newcastle City, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie

The pride of the Maitland and Hunter Valley the Thoroughbreds have struggled through many seasons. their history is riddled with bottom half finishes. But in the late 80’s Hunter Valley managed to develop one of the strongest clubs of all-time winning 4 titles.

Hyde Park (Central Sydney)
nickname: GOATS
founded: 1973
colors: Red
Stadium: Centennial Stadium (25,100)
Accomplishments: None
Affiliates:Hyde Park Reserves, Hyde Park 2, Hyde Park U21
Rivals:Empire Club, Northbridge

Based in Central Sydney the Goats have never managed to be very successful. In their history they have managed just 1 second place finish and a couple ore 3rd place finishes. Never living up to the expectations as a club in Sydney. The club typically bounces around mid table.

Orange Town (Orange)
nickname: Bruins, Orangemen
founded: 1973
colors: Orange and Blue
Stadium: Allenby Road (15,887)
Accomplishments: League Champs 1990,1994,1995
Affiliates: Orange Town Reserves, Orange Town U21
Rivals: Dubbo County, Port Kembla

Like their rivals Dubbo County Orange is also a small club. Typically they also have finished in the bottom of the table. Also like their rivals they have put together a good run of success lately winning 3 titles. They have managed to work up to the 8th largest budget in the NSW Championship.

Newcastle City (Newcastle)
nickname:Knights
founded: 1973
colors: Silver and Green
Stadium: Gelebe Road (21,778)
Accomplishments: League Champions 1973,1989
Affiliates: Newcastle City Reserves, Newcastle City Youth

City managed to win the first NSW championship then went on a run of very poor results. They managed to win another title in 1989 sandwiched between more poor results. City’s 2 titles are their only 2 finishes above 5th place and most of their finishes have been below 10th. Somehow they still manage to have a league average budget.

Northbridge (North Sydney)
nickname:Lions
founded:1973
colors: Gold and black
Stadium: St. Leonards Stadium (26775)
Accomplishments: None
Affiliates: Northbridge Reserves, Northbridge B, Northbridge Youth
Rivals Hyde Park, Central Coast, Western Sydney

Based in North Sydney the Lions are one of NSW larger clubs. Based on location and competitiveness they have developed intense derbys with Western Sydney and Central Coast. Likewise Hyde Park is just across the Harbour in Central Sydney. The 5th largest club currently in budget their history mimics that of rivals Central Coast. They have typically underperformed often sitting mid table despite their financial position.

Port Macquarie(Port MacQuarie)
nickname: Red Wings
founded: 1973
colors: Sky and White
Stadium: Oxley Field (17,300)
Accomplishments: None
Affiliates: Red Wing Reserves, Red Wing Juniors
Rivals: Club Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle City

Coming from a small market on NSW northern coast. Due to the lack of success by regional rival clubs Coffs Harbour and Club Tamworth the Red Wings have managed to capture the hearts of much of the northern part of NSW and have cemented themselves as a mid table club.

Western Sydney (West Sydney)
founded: 1973
nickname: Wanderers
colors: Red and Black
Stadium: Parramatta Park (32,500)
Accomplishments: League Champions 1975-80, 1982, 1991
Affiliates: Wanderers Reserves, Wanderers II, Junior Wanderers, Wanderers U-21
Rivals: Central Coast, Northbridge

Wanderers were dominating early winning 7 of the first 10 championships including 6 in a row. For some of those years no one else is close. Since then they have remained a large club often finishing near the top of the league and have seldom fell past mid table. Because of their immense success Wanderers have one of the largest stadiums in the Championship and feature the largest player development systems.


St. George (South Sydney)
founded: 1983
nickname: Dragons
colors: Green and Black
Stadium: Waratah Park (26,600)
Accomplishments: None
Affiliates: St. George Reserves: St. George II, St. George U21

Founded to try to capture fans of underperforming Hyde Park and Northbridge as well as the underserved region between Sydney and Wollongong. The experiment failed. St. George has consistently found themselves with a low budget and sitting near the bottom of the table. Recently they have managed to climb to mid table but another collapse down to the bottom of the league will probably kill the club.

Port Kembla (Wollongong)
nickname:Ironmen
founded: 1983
colors: Orange and Black
Stadium: Illawarra Fields (26,400)
Accomplishments: League Champions 1992
Affiliates: Port Kembla Reserves, Port Kembla B, Port Kembla Juniors. Port Kembla U21
Rivals: Albion Park, Athletic Club, Western Sydney

Port Kembla was founded to be Wollongong’s second team after Albion Park. The club turned out to be an alternative for the locals to the mediocre Albion Park. Quickly Port Kembla developed into a NSW Championship Powerhouse.

Wagga Wagga (Wagga Wagga)
nickname:Rebels
founded: 1973
colors:Maroon and Silver
Stadium: Bolton Park (16,890)
Accomplishments: None
Affiliates: Wagga Wagga Reserves, Wagga Wagga U21
Rivals: Athletic Club, Capital District, Orange Town

Wagga Wagga is a small community west of Canberra. Typically hamstrung by their size the club frequently finds ways to pull above their weight and find mid table success.

[slugger922cubs]

List of Champions
1973: Newcastle City Knights
1974: Sporting Albury Eagles
1975: Western Sydney Wanderers
1976: Western Sydney Wanderers
1977: Western Sydney Wanderers
1978: Western Sydney Wanderers
1979: Western Sydney Wanderers
1980: Western Sydney Wanderers
1981: Capital District Senators
1982: Western Sydney Wanderers, Central Coast (tied)
1983: Capital District
1984: Hunter Valley Thoroughbreds
1985: Sporting Albury Eagles
1986: Albion Park
1987: Tweed Tigers
1988: Hunter Valley Thoroughbreds
1989: Newcastle City, Albion Park (tied)
1990:Orange Town Bruins
1991: Western Sydney Wanderers
1992: Port Kembla Ironmen
1993: Dubbo County Ducks
1994: Orange Town Bruins
1995: Orange Town Bruins

*Tweed moved to the Queensland League in 1988
*Sporting Albury moved to the Southern League in 1996

Largest Stadiums:
Wanderers - Parramatta Park 32,500
Capital District - Manuka Park Grounds 27,662
Northbridge - St. Leonards Stadium (26,775)
St. George - Waratah Park (26,600)
Port Kembla - Illawarra Fields (26,400)
Hyde Park - Centennial Stadium (25,100)
Athletic Club - Calwell District Fields (24,900)
Empire Club - Empire Oval (22,466)
Central Coast-Waterview Park (22,400)
Albion Park-MacCabe Park (22,308)
Newcastle City - Gelebe Road (21,778)
Coffs Harbour - Coffs Harbour Showground (19,800)
Hunter Valley - Cooks Square Park (18,779)
Port MacQuarie - Oxley Field (17,300)
Wagga Wagga - Bolton Park (16,890)
Club Tamworth - Angora Park(16,500)
Orange Town - Allenby Road (15,887)
Dubbo County - Dubbo Showground (15,400)

Budgets
1. Wanderers- 8.90M
2. Port Kembla - 8.90M
3. Athletic Club - 7.90M
4. Central Coast - 7.70M
5. Northbridge - 7.10M
6. Empire Club - 6.50M
7. Port MacQuarie - 5.90M
8. Orange Town - 5.70M
9. Capital District - 5.50M
10. Hyde Park - 5.20M
11. Dubbo County - 5.20M
12. Newcastle City - 5.10M
13. Hunter Valley - 4.48M
14. Albion Park - 4.12M
15. Coffs Harbour - 4.08M
16. Wagga Wagga - 3.56M
17. St. George - 3.40M
18. Club Tamworth - 3.12M

[slugger922cubs]

Hopefully tomorrow i can get a graphic together of club crests. Also going to start working on the same information about the Western League. If anyone wants more detailed information about a certain club or would like me to prioritize a certain league let me know. I would like to start getting into story-lines once i outline all of the clubs involved

[Mat]

haha nice, clearly a WSW fan! I hope you have included Melbourne Victory in the Southern League?

[slugger922cubs]

Originally Posted by Mat

haha nice, clearly a WSW fan! I hope you have included Melbourne Victory in the Southern League?

WSW i think is the only A-League team I have. Really been trying to get names that have the feel of European soccer as much as possible. When looking at trying to name teams in Sydney Wanderers just felt so right. Im an American so Ive put a lot of research into trying to learn about Australia. During that research I looked at the A-League and AFL for examples. I do intend to have clubs fold and replace them so in the future I maybe able to squeeze in a Melbourne Victory influenced team.

[Mat]

Wow impressed you are going to such detailed lengths . I will be following along.

[slugger922cubs]

Still working on this. Im about halfway through the histories of Western League clubs. These write ups take a fair amount of research and ive been busier with work lately than I usually am. Im going to keep moving my file forward so im going to start mixing in story lines. With the history write ups moving forward.

[slugger922cubs]

Since Ive last posted here ive had the chance to run a few more seasons. Port Melbourne won the last Premier Cup with the 4 southern league qualifiers each making the Final Four. Essendon was the runner up.
Current League ranks:
As mentioned before the Premier Cup features 5 leagues. These leagues are as follows:
1. Southern Association (22 teams/4 Premier Cup Qualifiers) (0)
2. Queensland Premier League (22/4) (++)
3. New South Wales Championship (18/3) (+)
4. New Zealand National League (16/3) (--)
5. Western Association (18/2) (0)

Leagues are ranked by Playoff wins/teams qualified and is a rolling 5 year count

The New Zealand League which was able to make some deep runs in the past has faltered lately and has fallen back down to the 4th spot from the second spot. The Queensland League which along with the Southern league is historically one of the Big 2 reclaimed a top 2 spot. Ill try to remember to post the playoff bracket and a list of all teams in the coming days. Im going to forgo the detailed summaries i posted before for each club takes too much time. Ill just add details as we go.

[slugger922cubs]

Previously mentioned Im in the process of creating Custom schedules to stretch the season from August-December to June to December the Calendar should end up looking like this.

Late May= 1 wk Spring Training
First Wednesday in June= Opening Day
-(Mostly Weekend schedule until December 31)
December 1 =Trade Deadline
-This is late in the "League Season" But happens closer to the middle of the season fro teams that will play in Championships
January 1 League Cup Championships
-Typically top 8 teams in each league. 3-5-5 format.
Late January>Late March =Premier Cup Championship
April to mid May Offseason

This means like in European Soccer the sporting calendar really lasts most of the year.

[BigRed75]

Can't wait to see the rest of the league, including my beloved West.

One small quibble - we don't have counties in Australia, we have shires instead.

[slugger922cubs]

Originally Posted by BigRed75

One small quibble - we don't have counties in Australia, we have shires instead.

Good to note. I believe Dubbo is the only one i did that with and only because i was trying to make them feel like England's Derby County FC so your going to have to live with that. However, I may integrate some Shires at some point.
I'll try to get details on the West for you. So you can find a club and tell me how unrealistic the League is

[BigRed75]

Judging by the NSW league, it looks like you've done your research

[gregisawesome13]

Following! Gl