Ten years ago today, the fresh-faced A-League’s first ever game was played at Hunter Stadium, Newcastle.
Following the old National Soccer League’s collapse, the A-League was introduced and became a symbol of a brand new image for Australian football, comprising 10 – not all new – clubs.
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It all started for the new league on a cold August night under the Hunter Stadium lights as Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United went head-to-head in front of just over 13,000 people.
Carl Veart scored the inaugural goal in the inaugural game, heading home after 19 minutes. It proved decisive as the South Australians emerged 1-0 winners, the first step on their run to the competition’s maiden minor premiership.
United were to suffer a two-legged finals defeat against Sydney FC, with the Sky Blues, led by ex-Manchester United and marquee man Dwight Yorke, winning the 2005-06 championship.
Eleven successful – yet often turbulent – years later, we are still here.
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