Before the A-League was the NSL. From 1977-2004, the National Soccer League was Australia's highest level of football. It was also the first national league of any spot. Today we cover the lead-up to the NSL's establishment, over a decade in the making.

Sources:

Canberra Times
Sheilas, Wogs and P*******: An Incomplete Biography of Johnny Warren and Soccer in Australia
The Death of and Life of Australian Soccer by Joe Gorman
The Australian Jewish Times
Sydney Morning Herald
The Age, Melbourne
OzFootball
Trove
Socceroos
Getty Images
Hakoah Sydney City East