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