Foundation and Evolution

Northcote City FC was formed in 1960 by a group of Greek migrants new to Australia with a passion for sport and a need to form friendships in a new country, with soccer being the major connection. In its formative years the club fielded teams not only in soccer but also in Volleyball, Basketball and Table Tennis.

The Club’s honours list includes the Victorian Premier League Grand Final, the Dockerty Cup and Hellenic Cup.

Originally known as Hercules, the Club soon adopted the name Princes Park Hercules. The 1977 change of home grounds to Fairfield Park led to the short-lived use of the name Collingwood City.

In 1980, the Club secured its move to John Cain Memorial Park, reforming itself into Northcote City Soccer Club. With John Cain Memorial Park being used extensively for Lawn Bowls competitions, international cycling events in the new velodrome and the State Football Centre used for training and matches.

Progression through the Victorian Leagues

The Club first gained promotion into the Victorian Soccer Federation leagues in 1964 after competing in the amateur competitions in its formative years.

In 1965, the Club achieved its first ever championship, winning the Metropolitan League Division 4, suffering only one loss for the year. In a  golden era for the Club, consistent finishes in the upper reaches of the ladder, saw a second championship arrive with the Metropolitan League Division 3 title won in 1969.

The early to mid 70’s saw the Club struggling to make an impression on Metropolitan League Division 2 until a wonderful 1977 campaign led to a second-place finish behind Doveton and  promotion to Metropolitan League Division 1 for the first time. A top 4 finish in 1980 saw the Club achieve win promotion to the Victorian State League, which would later become the Victorian Premier League. The 1980s were not kind to the club and many bottom-half finishes ultimately saw the club relegated in 1991 back to the State League Division 1 competition.

The 1990s were not much kinder when a Victorian Soccer Federation restructure in 1999 saw the club relegated to State League Division 2 despite finishing 5 places form the bottom of the ladder. If the 1980 and 90’s were not kind to the club, then the first decade of the new millennium is arguably the greatest in the club’s rich history.

An undefeated Championship success in 2002 in State League 2 North West saw it regain its standing in State League Division 1, a feat that lasted only until 2006.

In 2008, the Club won State League Division 2 S/E, earning promotion to State League 1. A year later, the Seniors finished first in Men’s State League 1, earning promotion to the Victorian Premier League under Head Coach Peter Tsolakis.