# Canberra Cosmos FC > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Canberra_Cosmos_FC > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Canberra_Cosmos_FC.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra_Cosmos_FC > Source revision: 1355179184 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Australian association football club based in Canberra Football club Canberra Cosmos Full name Canberra Cosmos Football Club Nickname Cosmos Short name CCFC, CFC Founded 1995 Dissolved 2001 Ground Canberra Stadium, Bruce, Canberra, ACT Capacity 25,011 Home colours Away colours **Canberra Cosmos Football Club** was an Australian [soccer](/source/Association_football) club based in [Canberra, Australian Capital Territory](/source/Canberra). It participated in the [National Soccer League](/source/National_Soccer_League) from the 1995/96 season until the end of the 2000/01 season, after which it folded, primarily due to financial difficulties. Throughout their tenure in the NSL, the club failed to attract supporters and had limited on-field success. ## History Chart of yearly table positions for Canberra Cosmos in [NSL](/source/National_Soccer_League) ### A new club The Cosmos were founded in 1995 as a new franchise for entry into the 1995/96 NSL season. The club arose as a ‘community model’ consortium with shares held by [ACT Soccer Federation](/source/Capital_Football) and a number of local clubs, with some support from the ACT Government. Canberra finished respectably in their first season for a new club. In finishing ninth, they performed better than much more experienced teams [Wollongong](/source/Wollongong_Wolves), [Newcastle Breakers](/source/Newcastle_Breakers) and [Gippsland Falcons](/source/Gippsland_Falcons). Much of the credit could be given to experienced Socceroo captain [Paul Wade](/source/Paul_Wade). But 1995–96 also saw the revelation of talented Canberra-based youngsters [Michael Musitano](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Michael_Musitano&action=edit&redlink=1) and [Alex Castro](/source/Alex_Castro), who were accordingly snapped up by other clubs in the 1996 off-season.[1] ### Wooden Spoons Canberra's second season was much more forgettable however. In finishing last, the club ended the season 16 points behind second-last placed team. Despite a dreary end to the season, a positive action would revive the club in 1997 as computing company [Novell](/source/Novell) came on board with a stunningly large sponsorship deal. This allowed the Cosmos to recruit the 1996–97 coach of the year [Branko Culina](/source/Branko_Culina) and after losing their best players the previous year, Canberra was a net importer of quality players for this season. New signings included [Scottish](/source/Scotland) defender [Gordon Hunter](/source/Gordon_Hunter_(footballer%2C_born_1967)) from [Hibernian](/source/Hibernian_F.C.), [Sydney United](/source/Sydney_United) midfielder [Ante Moric](/source/Ante_Moric) and the return of Michael Musitano. Unfortunately, this did not translate into on-field performance, winning only once in the first thirteen games – a run including an 8–0 loss to Wollongong – and only three times in the season (including a record 8–1 win over [UTS](/source/UTS_Olympic)). The Cosmos finished the 1997–98 season bottom of the table again which saw the departure of Culina and appointment of former Socceroos coach [Rale Rasic](/source/Rale_Rasic). New signings for 1998–99 including [Melbourne Knights](/source/Melbourne_Knights) goalkeeper [Vilson Knezevic](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vilson_Knezevic&action=edit&redlink=1) and [Gippsland Falcons](/source/Gippsland_Falcons) defender [Doug Marcina](/source/Doug_Marcina) brought hope, but a winless start to the season for Rasic's young side escalated tensions with the board and Rale departed seven weeks into the new season.[2] The Cosmos continued to struggle in the national competition, finishing last for the third year in a row, ten points behind the second-last team. The 1999–2000 season saw some on-field improvement by the club achieving nine wins and nine draws. However, the Cosmos remained unstable financially, and administrators were appointed on 30 June 2000 to oversee the club's financial position. In a time of general turmoil for the NSL, the 2000–01 season was reasonably successful for Canberra, finishing a respectable 11th place and remaining competitive throughout the year with eleven wins and four draws. ### Exclusion [Soccer Australia](/source/Soccer_Australia) determined in mid-2000 that it would review the NSL for the 2001–02 season, proposing to reduce the number of teams from 16 to 12. [Carlton](/source/Carlton_S.C.) and [Eastern Pride](/source/Gippsland_Falcons) folded during the season, and Soccer Australia determined in June 2001 that Canberra Cosmos was not a 'going concern', excluding them from the league along with [Brisbane Strikers](/source/Brisbane_Strikers).[3] Appeals by and on behalf of the ejected clubs followed seeking a reversal of the decision, criticising the process and criteria used. Eventually the Soccer Australia board, under pressure from stakeholders and political figures agreed to “re-admit” Canberra and Brisbane to the NSL for the 2001/2002 season. The Cosmos stepped up planning for the new season, appointing new coaching staff and even forming a partnership with [English Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division) club [Swindon Town](/source/Swindon_Town_F.C.).[4] Despite looking forward, the Cosmos’ financial problems remained and were unable to recover from the initial exclusion decision. After being unable to pay their NSL affiliation fee, Soccer Australia determined that Cosmos FC had not met the required conditions of entry and on 26 September 2001 terminated its right to participate in the 2001/2002 NSL season.[5] ### Statistics Season Pld W D L GF GA Pts Table Position Average attendance Cup 1995/96 33 8 11 14 48 61 35 9th of 12 2934 Semi-final 1996/97 26 2 5 19 30 69 11 14th of 14 3176 First Round 1997/98 26 3 8 15 29 56 17 14th of 14 2719 Not held 1998/99 28 4 3 21 21 55 15 15th of 15 2337 Not held 1999/00 34 9 9 16 44 64 36 14th of 16 2428 Not held 2000/01 29 11 4 15 49 55 37 11th of 16 2184 Not held (Pld)=Games Played, (W) = Wins, (D)=Draws, (L)=Losses, (GF)=Goals For, (GA)=Goals Against, (Pts)=Points, (Cup)= [NSL Cup](/source/National_Soccer_League_Cup) placing ## Youth system The club had only a single 'first team' during its existence with no incorporated reserves or youth development system, owing in part to the structure of the NSL. Local players were drawn from the [ACT leagues](/source/Football_(soccer)_in_the_Australian_Capital_Territory) and formed a major component of the squads. While the *National Youth League* was in operation the [ACT Academy of Sport](/source/Football_(soccer)_in_the_Australian_Capital_Territory#Representative) provided the Cosmos youth side through the involvement of [Soccer Canberra](/source/Capital_Football). The Canberran location provided a potential pathway for players from the [AIS Football Squad](/source/Australian_Institute_of_Sport_Football_(Soccer)_Program), although no formal links were ever established. The program, aimed at developing players aged 16–17, also competed in the NYL independently. Few players graduated successfully from the ACTAS and AIS programs to the Cosmos squad. ## Colours and badge The original Canberra Cosmos logo for the 1995/96 season. In their inaugural season, the Cosmos played in predominantly dark blue shirts and dark blue shorts, colours reflecting the original ‘shooting star’ logo, provided through sportswear manufacturer [Asics](/source/ASICS). The alternate strip was a white shirt and shorts, also with large stars in the trim. A yellow alternate strip with black shorts was later introduced. For the 97/98 season, the away colours of a white shirt with blue trim became the home colours, giving more prominence to the sponsor. For the 1998/99 season, the club emblem was revised to a circle and star design. The home strip colours were changed to red shirt and shorts with a new change strip of yellow shirt and shorts, now manufactured under a new clothing deal with *Admiral Sportswear*. The logo featured a blue star over a gold circle, which was later revised to a black star over a red circle to closer reflect the new red home strip. For the 2000/01 season which was to be their last due to the Soccer Australia management turmoil had unveiled a new logo for the 2001/02 season. While there was no further information on possible change in shirt colours the new logo featured black, orange and white.[6] ## Stadium The Cosmos home ground was [Canberra Stadium](/source/Canberra_Stadium). During major renovations to the stadium in 1997, home games were played at [Seiffert Oval](/source/Seiffert_Oval) in [Queanbeyan](/source/Queanbeyan). A small number of games were also played on [AIS](/source/Australian_Institute_of_Sport) grounds. ## Supporters The Cosmos failed to attract significant support within the Canberra community which was reflected in poor attendances at games. A small but loyal group of fans formed *Cosmos FC Supporters Group* and were particularly active in promoting the game to the Canberra community. The group were consistently in attendance at home games and often travelled to away fixtures, particularly matches against the seven clubs located in [New South Wales](/source/New_South_Wales). The official Canberra Cosmos mascot known as ‘Cosmo’ appeared at most home games throughout the club's tenure. Adorned in a blue white and silver helmet and jumpsuit, Cosmo would ride a unicycle, juggle and entertain the crowd from the sideline and during pre-game and halftime, notably being sent to the stands by the referee during one game for allegedly inciting the crowd to violence. ## Notable former players Below is a list of players who have represented Canberra Cosmos in the NSL and who have at least one senior or junior international cap for a [FIFA](/source/F%C3%A9d%C3%A9ration_Internationale_de_Football_Association) sanctioned national team. Canberra Cosmos Notable Former Players Name National Team Caps(Goals) Peter Buljan Australia men's national under-23 soccer team UKN Vince Grella Australia men's national soccer team 46(0) Robbie Hooker Australia men's national soccer team 22(2) Norman Kelly Northern Ireland national football B team UKN John Markovski Australia men's national soccer team 19(1) Danny Milosevic Australia men's national under-23 soccer team UKN Nik Mrdja Australia men's national soccer team 1(0) Jason Polak Australia men's national soccer team 32(2) Paul Wade Australia men's national soccer team 84(10) Lindsay Wilson Australia national soccer team 2(0) ## Managers - [Mick Lyons](/source/Mick_Lyons_(English_footballer)) (Jun 1995 – May 1997) - [Branko Čulina](/source/Branko_%C4%8Culina) (Jun 1997 – Mar 1998) - [Rale Rasic](/source/Rale_Rasic) (Mar – Nov 1998) - Tony Brennan (caretaker) (Nov 1998 – Jan 1999) - [Tom Sermanni](/source/Tom_Sermanni) (Jan 1999 – Mar 2001) - Milan Milovanovic (Mar – Jul 2001) - [Antonio Alzamendi](/source/Antonio_Alzamendi) (Jul 2001 (appointed then terminated shortly after[5])) - [Leon (Bill) Gardikiotis](/source/Leon_(Bill)_Gardikiotis) (Aug – Sep 2001) ## Records - **Biggest win:** 8–1 v [UTS Olympic](/source/UTS_Olympic), 5 January 1998, [Seiffert Oval](/source/Seiffert_Oval) - **Biggest loss:** 0–8 v [Wollongong City](/source/Wollongong_Wolves), 5 December 1997, [Brandon Park](/source/Brandon_Park), [Wollongong](/source/Wollongong) - **Highest scoring match:** 5–5 v [Newcastle Breakers](/source/Newcastle_Breakers), 16 February 1996, [Breakers Stadium](/source/Breakers_Stadium), [Newcastle](/source/Newcastle%2C_New_South_Wales) - **Most Capped Player:** [Toplica Popovich](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toplica_Popovich&action=edit&redlink=1) (124 games) - **All-time top scorer:** [Peter Buljan](/source/Peter_Buljan) (21 goals) - **Highest attendance:** 9,421 – 1 November 1996 (1–1 v [Newcastle Breakers](/source/Newcastle_Breakers)) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Persoglia, Tony. ["History of Canberra Cosmos"](http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/NSLclubs/CCHist.html). OzFootball Archives. Retrieved 16 September 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** AAP Sports (25 November 1998). ["Rasic calls for patience and gets the sack"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110516145757/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-21415465.html). Highbeam Research. Archived from [the original](http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-21415465.html) on 16 May 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Soccer Australia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070911070203/http://www.clubsincrisis.com/Archives/australia.asp). Clubs in Crisis. Archived from [the original](http://www.clubsincrisis.com/Archives/australia.asp) on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["The Cosmic connection"](https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7378999.the-cosmic-connection/). Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. 4 June 2001. Retrieved 19 March 2008. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cosmos-report_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cosmos-report_5-1) ["Canberra Cosmos FC Report for Soccer Canberra"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070122163742/http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/library.htm). March 2003. Archived from [the original](http://www.capitalfootball.com.au/library.htm) on 22 January 2007. Retrieved 7 February 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Jeen, William. ["Canberra Cosmos Logo 2002"](http://www.redbubble.com/people/woodenduke/works/17150965-canberra-cosmos?asc=u&c=416137-football). Woodenduke. Retrieved 18 October 2016.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] ## External links - [OzFootball Canberra Cosmos divisional history](http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Clubs/C/CanberraCosmosDH.html) - [Andy's Totally Unofficial Shrine to the Canberra Cosmos FC](https://web.archive.org/web/20140201165727/http://www.reocities.com/canberracosmos/) (archived) v t e Canberra Comsos Football Club Managers Seasons History 1995 to 2001 Home stadiums Bruce Stadium (1995–2001) Seiffert Oval (1997–1998) Honours Records and statistics Players List of players Rivalries League record by opponent Supporters Supporters Group Category Commons v t e Soccer in Australia Football Australia National teams Men's Senior B U-23 U-20 U-17 Futsal Beach Paralympic Women's Senior B U-23 U-20 U-17 Futsal League competitions Men's A-League Men Australian Championship National Premier Leagues Women's A-League Women National Premier Leagues Women's Cup competitions Australia Cup Others Youth soccer Defunct leagues Defunct cups Professional Footballers Australia Women's soccer in Australia History of soccer in Brisbane, Queensland Lists Appearances (300+) Clubs Honours won Champions Men Women Clubs in international competitions Goals (100+) Record home attendances Stadiums by capacity Venues Competitions Records and statistics v t e National Soccer League Seasons 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 Grand Finals 1984 1985 1986 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Clubs Last Adelaide United Brisbane Strikers Football Kingz Marconi Stallions Melbourne Knights Newcastle United Jets Northern Spirit Parramatta Power Perth Glory South Melbourne Sydney Olympic Sydney United Wollongong Wolves Former APIA Leichhardt Adelaide City Blacktown City Brisbane City Brisbane Lions Brunswick Juventus Canberra City Canberra Cosmos Canterbury-Marrickville Carlton Collingwood Warriors Footscray JUST Green Gully Cavaliers Heidelberg United Inter Monaro Mooroolbark Morwell Falcons Newcastle Breakers Newcastle KB United Newcastle Rosebud United Parramatta Eagles Penrith City Preston Makedonia St George–Budapest Sunshine George Cross Sydney City West Adelaide Western Suburbs Wollongong Macedonia Competition Teams winners performance record Players foreign foreign scorers winners Managers Stadiums Statistics and awards Records All-time table Hat-tricks Highest scores Top scorers by season Player of the Year Under 21 Player of the Year Coach of the Year Johnny Warren Medal Joe Marston Medal Associated competitions NSL Cup National Youth League v t e Soccer in the Australian Capital Territory Capital Football Clubs National (tier 1) 1 Canberra United Non-League (tiers 2–3) 2 Belconnen United Brindabella Blues Canberra Croatia Canberra Juventus Canberra Olympic Canberra White Eagles Monaro Panthers O'Connor Knights Queanbeyan City Tigers FC Tuggeranong United 3 ANU FC West Canberra Wanderers Other former associated clubs ADFA Vikings Canberra City Goulburn Strikers Gungahlin United Narrabundah FC Riverina Rhinos Southern Tablelands United Wagga City Wanderers Weston Molonglo Yoogali League competitions National Premier Leagues Capital Football (tier 1) Capital Football State League (tiers 2–11) Cup competitions Capital Football Federation Cup Other competitions Capital Premier League (defunct) League seasons (20th century) 1926 1927 1928 1929 League seasons (21st century) 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Federation Cup 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Former clubs Canberra Cosmos (NSL) Canberra Eclipse (WNSL) FFA Centre of Excellence (NPL) International Youth Cup Kanga Cup Futsal Boomerangs F.S. Other Canberra A-League expansion bids --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Canberra Cosmos FC](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra_Cosmos_FC) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canberra_Cosmos_FC?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.