Perth Glory FC
| File:Perth Glory FC logo.svg Club emblem | |
| Company type | Professional sports club |
|---|---|
| Industry | Association football |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Nick Tana (founder and former chairman) |
| Products | Soccer team |
| Website | perthglory |
Perth Glory Football Club is a professional soccer team from Australia, based in Perth, Western Australia. It participates in the nation's top-tier men's league, the A-League Men, operating under a licence granted by the Australian Professional Leagues.
Established in 1995, Perth Glory stands as one of the trio of A-League clubs that originated from the now-defunct NSL, making its debut in the 1996–97 season. During the concluding years of the NSL, the club emerged as a dominant contender in Australian soccer, guided by managers Bernd Stange and Mich d'Avray, securing three Premiership titles and two Championships from four grand final appearances over five seasons. Since becoming a founding member of the A-League in 2004, Perth Glory has added another Premiership to its accolades and reached two additional grand finals under the leadership of managers Tony Popovic and Ian Ferguson. The club has also taken part in the AFC Champions League once and competed in two Australia Cup finals as well as two A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup finals.
Home fixtures are hosted at Perth Rectangular Stadium, commercially known as HBF Park, a venue with a capacity of 20,500 seats located on Lord Street in Perth, which has been the club’s home ground since its formation.
The main fan base is organized as the "Glory Shed Supporters Club," named after "The Shed," a terrace section within HBF Park. Perth Glory maintains competitive rivalries with clubs such as Wellington Phoenix, Gold Coast United, and Melbourne Knights. The club’s all-time top goalscorer is Bobby Despotovski, who netted 129 goals across all competitions, while Jamie Harnwell holds the record for most appearances with 256 matches played.
Background (1977–95)
Western Australia sought inclusion in the National Soccer League (NSL) from its inception in 1977; however, logistical and financial constraints delayed their entry until 1994. That year, a business group led by Joe Claudio formed the Perth Kangaroos IFC, which competed in Singapore's Premier League alongside teams like the Darwin Cubs. The Kangaroos completed an unbeaten campaign to claim the Singapore title but folded soon after due to financial challenges.
Early seasons (1995–98)
In 1995, a consortium headed by Nick Tana successfully obtained Perth Glory’s admission into the NSL for the 1996–97 season, officially launching the club on 1 December 1995. Quickly becoming a commercial success within a sports market dominated by Australian Rules Football, Perth Glory helped raise soccer's profile across Western Australia. Under former Socceroo and coach Gary Marocchi, the team embraced an attacking style during its initial two seasons, drawing strong fan support. The club finished just outside finals contention in both years, placing 7th and 8th respectively.
Notable players during this period included NSL champion Vinko Buljubašić, striker Bobby Despotovski, local prospect Vas Kalogeracos, New Zealand international Gavin Wilkinson, and captain Gareth Naven. Despite losing their first-ever NSL match 4–1 to Sydney Olympic, Perth quickly attracted large crowds with impressive victories such as against reigning champions Melbourne Knights. However, a decisive defeat to Melbourne Knights in their final match dashed their hopes of reaching the finals amid some controversies both on and off the pitch.
During the 1997–98 season, high-profile acquisitions including Ernie Tapai, Danny Hay, and Nigerian internationals Samson Siasia and Peter Anosike bolstered the squad; nevertheless, playoff qualification again eluded the club.
Stange era (1998–2001)
When Bernd Stange, previously the coach of the East German national team, took over from Gary Marocchi, fan engagement grew notably. He was supported by assistant coach Mich d'Avray, a former England under-21 international.
During Stange's debut season in charge (1998–99 Perth Glory SC season), he guided Glory to their first-ever finals appearance, where they fell to Sydney United in the preliminary final. The arrivals of key players such as John Markovski and Con Boutsianis proved effective, while local defender Jamie Harnwell became a standout performer. Although a mid-season downturn prevented a top-two finish, the club attracted substantial crowds for their home finals at the WACA Ground.
In the subsequent campaign (1999–2000 Perth Glory SC season), emerging talents like Ivan Ergić, Jason Petković, and Olyroo Kasey Wehrman were added to the squad. Glory topped the regular season standings, securing their inaugural minor premiership and entering the finals at the major semifinal stage. After overcoming Wollongong Wolves on aggregate, a record crowd of 42,764 witnessed the grand final at Subiaco Oval. This achievement prompted the Western Australian government to announce plans for a dedicated stadium in Perth’s city center.
The 1999–2000 grand final is remembered as one of the NSL’s most intense encounters. Despite leading 3–0 at halftime against Wollongong, Stange’s decision to substitute key players allowed the opposition to mount a comeback, equalizing at 3–3. Ultimately, Perth lost in a penalty shootout—a defeat that fueled future determination. Internal disputes led to departures of stars such as Vas Kalogeracos and Con Boutsianis. Although Stange was informed mid-season that his contract would not be renewed, strong backing from fans and media ensured he remained until season’s end.
By the conclusion of the 2000–01 Perth Glory SC season, inconsistent performances and internal discord hindered success, with Glory narrowly missing a top-two spot. Their finals campaign ended after elimination by the Melbourne Knights on away goals in a controversial match marred by crowd violence following provocative gestures from Bobby Despotovski toward Knights supporters. Despite recruiting high-profile players like Damian Mori, who formed a formidable partnership with Despotovski, and retaining promising youngster Ljubo Miličević, Glory underperformed. Consequently, owner Nick Tana relieved Stange of his duties.
D'Avray era and end of NSL (2001–04)
Although Stange brought flair to the team, it was under Mich d'Avray’s pragmatic leadership that Glory secured their NSL Championship. D'Avray abandoned the attacking 5–3–2 formation in favor of a balanced 4–4–2 setup, focusing more on effective results than aesthetic play. In 2001–02, with minimal new additions aside from former Adelaide City midfielder Brad Hassell, the squad nearly completed an undefeated season. After a tightly contested semifinal against Newcastle, Glory faced off against Sydney Olympic in a sold-out grand final at Subiaco Oval. Despite limited offensive opportunities and strong marking of their forwards, Olympic’s Ante Milicic scored early in the second half to secure a 1–0 victory, denying Glory another title.
Following Maloney’s departure after 2002, German midfielder Andre Gumprecht joined and made an immediate impact. As the NSL declined overall, Glory and Olympic remained dominant forces vying for supremacy. Glory finished just one point behind Olympic but were penalized three points in March 2003 due to Gumprecht’s registration irregularity. The mid-season signing of Socceroo Simon Colosimo further strengthened the squad. Topping a complex league table, Glory hosted the 2003 Grand Final and defeated Olympic 2–0 with goals from Harnwell and Mori, earning Glory’s first NSL championship under d'Avray.
In NSL’s final season (2003–04), Parramatta Power emerged as formidable challengers after acquiring key players including Fernando Rech, Michael Beauchamp, and Ante Miličić, alongside Glory’s Gumprecht and Colosimo. In response, d’Avray signed Sydney Olympic champions Tom Pondeljak, Wayne Srhoj, and Jade North, plus Socceroo defender Shaun Murphy. Parramatta defeated Glory twice during the season to secure hosting rights for NSL’s last Grand Final. After comfortably dispatching Adelaide United in the preliminary final, Glory faced Parramatta at Parramatta Stadium. In a rain-soaked contest with few clear chances, young forward Nick Mrdja netted the golden goal that clinched Glory’s second NSL title.
By 2001, mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and weak sponsorship had caused NSL’s decline, triggering government investigation and leadership changes within Soccer Australia. These reforms paved the way for establishment of the A-League in 2005. Throughout this turbulent period, chairman Nick Tana’s financial support and business expertise ensured Perth Glory’s survival and secured its future role in Australian football.
Decline and ownership challenges (2005–09)
In January 2005, Steve McMahon, a former Liverpool and England international, was named head coach. The club underwent a rebranding, changing its name from Perth Glory Soccer Club to Perth Glory Football Club and introducing a new emblem. The 2005–06 campaign saw extensive roster changes, bringing in pivotal players such as Simon Colosimo and forward Brian Deane. Although the team struggled initially, they became the first side to defeat Sydney FC in the 2005 A-League Pre-Season Challenge Cup semi-finals but ultimately fell to Central Coast Mariners in the final. Due to ineffective recruitment, Deane departed after seven matches; Damian Mori took his place and concluded the season with seven goals. McMahon faced media scrutiny and allegations of favoritism for signing his son, which contributed to his exit in December 2005. Assistant coach Alan Vest stepped up as head coach, with Mori assuming player-coach duties. The squad missed the finals for the first time since 1998 amid declining support from chairman Nick Tana, who was actively seeking to sell his 75% ownership stake. Additionally, Western QBE ended its eight-year tenure as the club’s principal sponsor.
On 1 May 2006, Football Federation Australia (FFA) assumed control of Perth Glory. The 2006–07 season introduced significant changes including the acquisition of Australian international Stan Lazaridis, the appointment of Ron Smith as head coach, and Michelle Phillips as CEO. Promising youth talent Nick Ward departed for Queens Park Rangers despite being under a two-year contract. Although Western QBE initially withdrew their sponsorship, they reinstated it by December following the identification of new ownership. On 23 February 2007, FFA confirmed the sale of the club to Tony Sage, Brett McKeon, and John Spence, resolving a year-long period of uncertainty.
During the 2007–08 season, Perth Glory bolstered their squad with signings such as Anthony Danze, Billy Celeski, Dino Djulbic, Tando Velaphi, Nikita Rukavytsya, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Nick Rizzo, Mate Dragičević, Hayden Foxe, Mitchell Prentice, and James Robinson. A $750,000 sponsorship agreement with Singapore-listed Delong Holdings ranked among the most substantial in the A-League. The club reached the Pre-Season Challenge Cup final but were defeated by Adelaide United. The league campaign began poorly with no victories in the first 12 rounds and low spectator turnout; mounting pressure led to Ron Smith's dismissal in November. David Mitchell was appointed caretaker coach that same day. Perth also established a strategic partnership with English Premier League club Manchester City. Under Mitchell’s leadership, performance improved including their first home victory in a year and their inaugural league triumph over Sydney FC; they ultimately finished seventh.
Ahead of the 2008–09 season, preparations included a three-match tour in China facing Changchun Yatai, Guangzhou City, and Guangzhou FC. New additions comprised Eugene Dadi, Adriano Pellegrino, Adrian Trinidad, Josip Magdić, Naum Sekulovski, Brazilian international Amaral, Scott Bulloch, and Wayne Srhoj. Despite a slow start resulting in a seventh-place finish with 22 points, Perth secured 15 points from the final 11 rounds due to a strong second-half resurgence. In November, head coach Dave Mitchell extended his contract through to the end of the 2010–11 season, signaling a commitment to stability and long-term planning. At season’s conclusion, Tony Sage became sole proprietor of the club, solidifying leadership control.
Return to Prominence (2009–13)
In February 2009, Tony Sage became the sole proprietor of Perth Glory after acquiring the shares previously held by former co-owner Brett McKeon. Sage committed substantial resources ahead of the 2009–10 campaign, revamping the club’s operations, marketing strategies, player roster, and staff. The team hosted pre-season friendlies against English Premier League sides Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham, as well as the newly established A-League team North Queensland Fury, drawing an average crowd of 13,000 spectators at Perth Rectangular Stadium. Additionally, Perth Glory refreshed their club emblem and introduced vertical white and purple stripes on their home jerseys for the first time.
Sage pledged to maximize the use of the A-League salary cap, leading to significant acquisitions including Victor Sikora, Serbian forward Branko Jelić on a three-year contract, English defender Andy Todd, Socceroo Jacob Burns, marquee player Mile Sterjovski, and local talent Chris Coyne returning home. The 2009–10 season saw Perth Glory reach the finals series for the first time, finishing fifth but exiting after a penalty shootout defeat to Wellington Phoenix.
For the 2010–11 season, Ian Ferguson, formerly manager of North Queensland Fury, was appointed assistant coach while veteran Jamie Harnwell signed a one-year contract. Local players Jamie Coyne and Todd Howarth renewed their deals; meanwhile, Josh Mitchell and striker Michael Baird arrived from Romanian side Universitatea Craiova. Robbie Fowler re-committed to the club despite lucrative offers from Middle Eastern teams. After a promising start, a sequence of four consecutive losses prompted coach David Mitchell to resign; Ferguson stepped in as head coach but oversaw seven straight defeats, culminating in a second-last finish.
During the 2011–12 campaign, high-profile signings under Ferguson included Travis Dodd, Bas van den Brink, Shane Smeltz, Brazilian Andrezinho, Irish international Liam Miller, and Billy Mehmet; Robbie Fowler and Jamie Coyne departed. The team began strongly with three successive wins including a triumph over Adelaide United but then suffered a slump with only one victory in nine games. Owner Tony Sage threatened resignation amid growing pressure but later reaffirmed his dedication. The squad rebounded to secure third place and qualify for the finals for only the second time in club history. Perth Glory defeated Melbourne Heart 3–0 and Wellington Phoenix 3–2 after extra time before advancing past Central Coast Mariners on penalties to reach their inaugural A-League Grand Final. In front of 50,334 fans at Suncorp Stadium against Brisbane Roar, Perth led 1–0 but ultimately lost following a late contentious penalty; Jacob Burns was awarded the Joe Marston Medal despite initial confusion over its recipient.
In the 2012–13 season, Sage introduced austerity measures by proposing reduced player contracts; some athletes such as Andrezinho declined these terms. The club emphasized youth development by signing Chris Harold and Adrian Zahra while promoting Brandon O'Neill and Ndumba Makeche from the youth ranks. They avenged their prior Grand Final defeat with a 1–0 victory over Brisbane Roar in Round One. After inconsistent results, Ferguson was replaced mid-season by former player Alistair Edwards. The team rallied to reach the finals but was eliminated following a 2–1 loss to Melbourne Victory.
At the outset of the 2013–14 season, Perth Glory dedicated their number 12 jersey to supporters as "Glory Fans." Edwards was dismissed in December 2013 and interim coach Kenny Lowe took charge amid fan unrest reportedly involving Jacob Burns. The club concluded the season in eighth place after a disappointing run that saw them languishing at the bottom of the standings at one stage.
Lowe era (2013–18)
The 2014–15 campaign began with optimism, highlighted by significant acquisitions such as Irish international Andy Keogh, Dutch international Youssouf Hersi, and the return of goalkeeper Danny Vukovic during Kenny Lowe's inaugural full season as head coach. Glory started the season strongly, leading the league standings and advancing to the first-ever 2014 FFA Cup final. Although they were narrowly defeated 1–0 by Adelaide United, their league performance remained robust until a salary cap violation surfaced through Fairfax Media. An investigation by Football Federation Australia confirmed a $400,000 breach, resulting in a $269,000 fine and exclusion from the 2015 finals despite finishing third. This controversy led to CEO Jason Brewer's resignation, with Peter Filopoulos stepping into the role.
The 2015–16 season saw improved outcomes, notably with new recruit Diego Castro earning the prestigious Johnny Warren Medal. The club secured fifth place but was eliminated after a 2–0 loss to Melbourne City in the elimination final. Additionally, they reached the FFA Cup final once again but succumbed 2–0 to Melbourne Victory.
During the 2016–17 season, additions included defender Rhys Williams and midfielder Brandon Wilson, while Diego Castro extended his contract. After an uneven season, Glory ended in fifth position; Castro shared the Golden Boot accolade alongside Andy Keogh and Adam Taggart. They triumphed 2–0 over Melbourne City in the elimination final but were subsequently ousted by A-League Premiers Sydney FC in the semi-finals.
The 2017–18 campaign started on a disappointing note with a first-round FFA Cup exit at the hands of NPL Victoria side Heidelberg United despite reinforcing the squad with Spaniards Andreu Guerao and Xavi Torres, as well as Mitch Nichols and Scott Neville. A crushing 6–0 defeat to Sydney FC intensified scrutiny on coach Lowe; however, the mid-season acquisition of Neil Kilkenny helped revive team performance. Although late victories against eventual Grand Finalists Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets occurred, a final round loss to Brisbane Roar resulted in an eighth-place finish and missing out on finals. Subsequently, Lowe was relieved of his coaching duties, and CEO Filopoulos resigned to take a position with Football Federation Victoria. During Lowe’s tenure, membership numbers increased by 50%, the club relocated to a new shared training and administrative facility with Western Force, and business operations experienced notable growth. Lowe transitioned into the role of technical director overseeing the junior academy. In May 2018, Tony Pignata was named CEO. Later that year, former player Steven McGarry assumed responsibilities as Technical Director for youth development and Under-18 coach, while ex-player Richard Garcia took on dual roles as senior team assistant coach and youth head coach.
Popovic era and the return of success (2018–20)
The onset of the 2018–19 season heralded the arrival of head coach Tony Popovic, ushering in renewed optimism highlighted by key signings such as three-time A-League champion Ivan Franjic, former Socceroos defenders Tomislav Mrcela and Chris Ikonomidis, Western Sydney’s all-time leading scorer Brendon Santalab, AFC Champions League winner Matthew Spiranovic, ex-Premier League player Jason Davidson, and former La Liga midfielder Juande. Their pre-season included a narrow 0–1 defeat to English giants Chelsea. Popovic’s competitive debut resulted in a 0–1 FFA Cup loss against Melbourne Victory FC. Perth commenced their A-League campaign impressively, remaining unbeaten across their first eight matches—the sole team to achieve this feat that season. With two fixtures remaining, they clinched the Premiership by overcoming the Newcastle Jets FC 1–0, ending a trophy drought spanning 15 years. Finishing with a club-record tally of 60 points from 18 wins in 27 games, Perth qualified for their inaugural continental tournament, the 2020 AFC Champions League. In the Finals Series, they advanced to their second A-League Grand Final following a penalty shootout victory over Adelaide United FC. Hosting their first-ever A-League Grand Final at Optus Stadium against second-placed Sydney FC, they attracted a record crowd of 56,371 spectators. Despite multiple scoring opportunities and a contentious disallowed goal for Sydney, the match remained scoreless after extra time; Sydney ultimately prevailed 4–1 in penalties.
For the 2019–20 campaign, squad reinforcement included signing striker Bruno Fornaroli on a two-year contract alongside Brisbane Roar players Dane Ingham and Nicholas D'Agostino, former Melbourne City defender Osama Malik, Swiss international defender Gregory Wüthrich, and Socceroo defender James Meredith. Pre-season featured a friendly against Premier League powerhouse Manchester United, ending in a 0–2 defeat. Perth’s FFA Cup journey concluded early with a narrow round-of-32 loss to Western Sydney Wanderers. After an underwhelming start to league play, they embarked on an unbeaten streak spanning ten matches, rising to second place by round 20. In February 2020, majority owner Tony Sage revealed intentions to sell most of his shares to London Football Exchange—a football-focused cryptocurrency platform—but this transaction collapsed amid doubts about its legitimacy. The season was subsequently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this hiatus, key players including Wüthrich and Castro departed as renewing contracts became unviable amid financial constraints caused by pandemic-related revenue losses. The club struggled defensively yet managed to qualify for the Finals Series in sixth place. They secured a 1–0 elimination final win over third-placed Wellington Phoenix FC but were eliminated following a 0–2 semi-final defeat to eventual champions Sydney FC. Shortly thereafter, Tony Popovic left to take charge of Greek side Xanthi F.C., concluding his impactful two-year spell at Perth Glory.
Decline (2020–present)
On 18 September 2020, Richard Garcia was appointed as the head coach of Perth Glory, signing a contract for two seasons. His initial competitive fixtures occurred during the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage, which took place in Qatar due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Glory secured their inaugural continental point with a 3–3 draw against Shanghai Shenhua, but ultimately finished fourth in their group, resulting in elimination. Garcia's first complete season was marked by fluctuating performances, as the team failed to reach the finals for the first time in three years, ending up ninth—their second-worst league standing ever.
In March 2022, following a disappointing start to his second season, Garcia was dismissed and succeeded by former player Ruben Zadkovich as interim coach. The 2021–22 campaign concluded with Glory at the bottom of the league table for the first occasion and missing out on qualification for the 2022 Australia Cup after losing a playoff against Newcastle Jets. Despite initially securing only one victory under Zadkovich, he was confirmed as permanent head coach in June 2022. During his sole full season (2022–23), the club struggled significantly, occupying last place at the World Cup break. The departure of star forward Bruno Fornaroli amid contractual disagreements weakened their offensive capabilities. The team finished ninth once more, missing finals for a third consecutive year, despite demonstrating strong home performances at temporary venue Macedonia Park, necessitated by renovations at Perth Rectangular Stadium ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
After the 2022–23 season, Zadkovich left his role; former manager Kenny Lowe assumed interim coaching duties for friendly matches and Australia Cup playoff fixtures in mid-2023. In July 2023, chairman Tony Sage resigned amid financial difficulties that prompted league intervention and led to license revocation due to loans taken to cover player wages. On 3 August 2023, Alen Stajcic was appointed as manager. Subsequently, on 17 October 2023, Robert Brij was announced as the new owner; however, this transaction was cancelled on 13 November 2023, leaving the club without ownership entering the new season. Ownership was eventually secured by the Pelligra Group on 16 February 2024.
The 2023–24 season again saw Glory finish last in the league for the second time within three seasons, despite striker Adam Taggart claiming the Golden Boot with 20 goals. Stajcic departed after a single season on 25 June 2024.
On 28 June 2024, former Sydney FC assistant coach David Zdrilic was named head coach. His debut competitive match resulted in a 4–2 victory over Brisbane Roar in an Australia Cup playoff, securing entry into the round of 32—the club’s first Australia Cup win since 2016. Nonetheless, Perth concluded the subsequent A-League season at the bottom of the table for the third time in four years.
Name, colours and badge
For the 2020–21 Perth Glory FC season, Perth's primary kit consisted predominantly of purple with orange stripes decorating the collar and sleeves, complemented by purple shorts featuring orange edging and matching purple socks. The away strip displayed a white jersey accented with orange and purple stripes, including a broad purple band behind the BHP sponsorship logo, paired with white shorts and socks highlighted with orange and purple trim. The kit from the 2009–10 season paid homage to club history by incorporating vertical stripes similar to those worn during the 1996–97 campaign. In October 2011, Perth Glory donned mainly blue jerseys to commemorate the 125th anniversary of major sponsor QBE Insurance.
During its National Soccer League (NSL) era, Perth’s original badge displayed sun rays above the word ‘Glory’, with a soccer ball replacing the letter ‘O’ and ‘Perth’ arching overhead. Upon entering the A-League in 2005, Perth Glory refreshed their emblem while maintaining core features such as the soccer ball iconography, orange and purple hues, and sunbeam motifs. A redesigned shield-shaped badge was introduced in April 2009 that preserved these traditional elements alongside grey detailing. This contemporary logo was positively received as indicative of a new chapter aimed at enhancing fan engagement. To celebrate milestone anniversaries—the club’s 15th and 20th—special one-off logos were unveiled during the 2011–12 Perth Glory FC season and 2016–17 Perth Glory FC season, respectively.
Sponsorship
| Period | Kit Supplier | Primary Sponsor | Secondary Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–99 | Umbro | Western QBE | Chicken Treat, Quit WA |
| 1999–03 | Kappa | ||
| 2003–04 | Sekem | ||
| 2005–06 | Reebok | ||
| 2006–07 | Foxtel Digital | ||
| 2007–08 | Delong Holdings, 6PR 882 | ||
| 2008–09 | QBE Insurance | Kurv. Magazine, 6PR 882 | |
| 2009–11 | FEX Mining, 6PR 882 | ||
| 2011–12 | XBlades | Hyperion Energy, Europcar | |
| 2012–13 | Stellar Securities, Clough | ||
| 2013–15 | Macron | LiveLighter, Clough | |
| 2015–2019 | National Storage, Clough | ||
| 2019–2022 | BHP | LiveLighter, Move2gether | |
| 2022–2023 | Evolution Capital | TABtouch, Subway | |
| 2023–2024 | La Vida Homes | Dream Car Rental, Zambrero, TABtouch | |
| 2024– | Dream Car Rental, Zambrero, Theme Group, DrimTel |
AFC Competition Sponsorship
| Year | Kit Supplier | Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Macron | Perth (Government of Western Australia) |
Stadium
Since its establishment, Perth Glory has hosted its home fixtures at Perth Rectangular Stadium, commercially known as HBF Park due to sponsorship agreements. This venue accommodates up to 20,500 fans.
The club's inaugural National Soccer League match at this stadium occurred in October 1996. Initially, the ground was shared with the local Australian rules football team, East Perth Football Club. During the late 1990s, multiple permanent home options were considered. Multiplex was initially engaged to construct a rectangular stadium as part of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre development but was released after chairman Nick Tana chose to pursue redevelopment of Leederville Oval. This initiative was ultimately abandoned following community resistance. In 2002, East Perth relocated to Leederville Oval, and subsequently, the state government pledged to transform Perth Oval into a dedicated rectangular stadium.
The record attendance for an A-League fixture at the stadium stands at 17,868 during the 2018–19 semi-final against Adelaide United, surpassing the previous high of 17,856 recorded weeks earlier versus Melbourne Victory. The peak average season attendance reached 10,533 in the 2016–17 season. The highest overall crowd recorded at the venue was 18,067 for a top-table NSL clash against South Melbourne in 1998.
The introduction of the Western Force rugby team into Super Rugby generated demands for a rectangular stadium with a capacity exceeding 30,000. Both Perth Glory and Western Force advocated to the Government of Western Australia for such an enhancement. Prior to this, Western Force utilized the oval-shaped Subiaco Oval, which seats around 40,000 and also hosted key matches for Glory including the 1999–2000 NSL Grand Final that attracted a record crowd of 43,242.
Ahead of the 2010 Super 14 season, Perth Rectangular Stadium’s capacity was expanded from roughly 18,000 to 20,500 to better serve both teams.
A significant redevelopment commenced in June 2012 involving replacement of the southern and eastern stands with permanent structures. During the 2012–13 A-League season, capacity was temporarily reduced before stabilizing at 20,441 by September 2013. Plans are still underway to add roofing over the southern stand.
Throughout the A-League period, Perth Glory has also played home matches at Subiaco Oval; Perth Stadium (notably during the 2019 A-League Grand Final); Macedonia Park, Perth while HBF Park underwent redevelopment ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup; and at the Sam Kerr Football Centre for certain Australia Cup fixtures. The club is scheduled to host a home game in the 2025 Australia Cup at Kingsway Reserve located in Madeley, Western Australia.
Headquarters
In September 2021, the club shifted its main office and training facilities to Fremantle Oval, situated south of Perth. By October 2024, it was revealed that the club planned to relocate its headquarters to Stirling Leisure – Mirrabooka in 2025 under a five-year lease agreement. Following a $1.2 million investment in enhancements, the neighboring Mirrabooka Regional Open Space will become the designated training ground.
Support and rivalries
The primary active fan section, known as The Shed, is a covered standing terrace located at the northern end of the stadium. Initially positioned on a hillside northeast of the venue, it was relocated nearer to the field during redevelopment efforts in 2003. This area is home to the supporters' association, the Glory Shed Supporters Club (GSSC).
Perth Glory's foremost rivalry is with Wellington Phoenix, famously termed The Distance Derby due to one of the longest domestic away journeys worldwide (5,255 km/3,270 mi). The clubs have clashed in three intense A-League finals encounters, most recently during the 2019–20 campaign. Since the 2015–16 season, they compete for the Long Distance Derby Cup, awarded based on aggregate league results; Perth secured the inaugural trophy.
Another significant rivalry existed with former A-League team Gold Coast United, known as the Iron Ore Cup. This rivalry emerged from media-fueled disputes and shared mining industry ownership—Perth’s owner Tony Sage and Gold Coast’s owner Clive Palmer. The rivalry concluded after Gold Coast was expelled from the league following the 2011–12 season.
Additionally, Perth maintained a rivalry with former National Soccer League club Melbourne Knights. This began in Glory’s debut 1996–97 season with a pivotal match marked by crowd disturbances and a red card issued to Perth player Paul Strudwick. In a 2001 finals fixture, Perth’s Bobby Despotovski performed a Serbian salute that incited hostility from Melbourne’s largely Croatian fanbase, resulting in assaults on Despotovski and manager Bernd Stange. Subsequent retaliatory actions were planned by Glory supporters before the second leg. The teams have not faced each other since the NSL dissolved in 2004.
Youth
- Players who have appeared in first-team matchday lineups.
Ownership and finances
In 1995, a group led by Nick Tana obtained a license allowing Perth Glory to enter the 1996–97 NSL season. Tana declared intentions to sell the club in January 2004. On 1 May 2006, interim ownership was assumed by Football Federation Australia (FFA).
Ownership was transferred on 23 February 2007 from FFA to local entrepreneurs Tony Sage, Brett McKeon, and John Spence, with goals of restoring the club’s former NSL success. Spence departed in 2008, leaving Sage and McKeon as co-owners. By February 2009, Sage became sole proprietor after acquiring McKeon’s stake. Kenny Keogh also maintained a minority shareholding.
In December 2011, Sage briefly considered exiting but reaffirmed his dedication following an apology. In February 2020, he intended to sell a majority share to London Football Exchange, a cryptocurrency-based football platform; however, this agreement fell through amid questions about its legitimacy.
In July 2023, Sage resigned as chairman while the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) were appointed receivers managing the club’s sale process. On 17 October 2023, APL announced Australian property developer Robert Brij and John Nekic of Primeland Group as new owners and chairman respectively. Nonetheless, by 13 November 2023, this sale was cancelled days before completion as APL sought alternative buyers.
On 14 February 2024, reports confirmed Ross Pelligra—who owns Italian club Catania FC through Pelligra Group—had agreed to purchase Perth Glory. The club officially announced Pelligra as owner and chairman on 16 February 2024.
Captaincy timeline
Advisory Board
| Role | Individual |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Ross Pelligra[1] |
| Vice Chairman | Jason Bontempo[2] |
| Director | Vince Grella[3] |
| Consultant | Mark Bresciano[4] |
Football Operations
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director of Football | Template:Country data AUSTemplate:Namespace detect showall Stan Lazaridis |
| Head Coach | Template:Country data AUSTemplate:Namespace detect showall David Zdrilic |
| Assistant Coach | Template:Country data AUSTemplate:Namespace detect showall Tomi Vidovic |
| Assistant Coach | Template:Country data AUSTemplate:Namespace detect showall Adam Griffiths |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Germany Kristian Barbuscak |
| Performance Director | Template:Country data UKTemplate:Namespace detect showall John Lucas |
| Strength & Conditioning Assistant / ALM Equipment & Logistics Manager | Template:Country data AUSTemplate:Namespace detect showall Ivan Razlog |
| ALM Team Manager | TBC |
| ALM Equipment Officer | Template:Country data AUSTemplate:Namespace detect showall Russell Watts |
| Head of Physiotherapy | Template:Country data AUSTemplate:Namespace detect showall Andrew Hughes |
| ALM Physiotherapist | Template:Country data AUSTemplate:Namespace detect showall Teneka Lazzaro |
Management and Administration
| Role | Individual |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | Anthony Radich |
| Chief Operations Officer | Joseph Marafioti |
| ALM/ALW Football Administration Manager | Aidan O'Brien |
| Community & Development Officer | Tiana Gauci |
| Finance Manager | Sanjer Chowdhury |
| General Manager of Media & Communications | Gareth Morgan |
| Marketing Manager | Cory Mackay |
| Graphic Designer | Marin Roković |
| Videographer | Floyd Johnson |
| Merchandise Manager | Natasha Perry |
| Membership & Community Administration | Gemma Lever |
| General Manager of Events | Rebecca Oliver |
| Events Manager | Alexandra Morrison-Bailey |
| Business Development Manager | Daniel De Aguiar |
| Partnerships Manager | Emma Jardine |
Managers
Records
Jamie Harnwell holds the club’s record for the highest number of appearances, having played in 269 matches. He is followed by Bobby Despotovski with 250 appearances and Scott Miller with 233 games. The all-time leading goal scorer for Perth Glory is Bobby Despotovski, who netted 116 goals, surpassing both Damian Mori (84 goals) and Andy Keogh (64 goals).
The largest league crowd at home was recorded in 1998 when 18,067 spectators attended the match against South Melbourne. The club’s overall highest home attendance occurred during the 2019 A-League Grand Final, where a record crowd of 56,371 witnessed the game against Sydney FC, marking the biggest grand final attendance in A-League history.
Honours
Perth Glory claimed its inaugural major title by securing the premiership during the 1999–2000 season, and repeated this achievement in the 2001–02 season. Although they reached the grand finals in both campaigns, they were defeated by Wollongong Wolves and Olympic Sharks, respectively. The club captured its first national championship in 2003 with a 2–0 victory over Olympic Sharks.
In the final NSL campaign (2003–04), Perth accomplished its sole double by winning both the premiership and championship, overcoming Parramatta Power through a golden goal in extra time.
After transitioning to the A-League, Perth Glory underwent a period of decline, failing to qualify for finals for several years. Despite reaching the 2012 A-League Grand Final, as well as two Australia Cup finals and two Pre-Season Challenge Cup finals, they did not secure any trophies until the 2018–19 season. Led by manager Tony Popovic, the team won its fourth premiership, ending a 15-year title drought and equalling Melbourne Knights' record for most domestic premierships. That year, Perth hosted the grand final but lost to Sydney FC on penalties.
League
- National Soccer League Championship
- National Soccer League Premiership
- A-League Men Championship
- A-League Men Premiership
- Champions (1): 2018–19
Cups
Doubles
Continental record
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | AFC Champions League | Group F | Template:Country data JPNTemplate:Namespace detect showall FC Tokyo | 0–1 | 1–0 | 4th |
| Template:Country data KORTemplate:Namespace detect showall Ulsan Hyundai | 1–2 | 2–0 | ||||
| Template:Country data CHNTemplate:Namespace detect showall Shanghai Shenhua | 1–2 | 3–3 |
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