IN THE BEGINNING

The Nightcliff Football Club was originally formed as Works and Housing Football Club in 1950 and competed in the 1950/51 season. The NTFL consisted of only the League competition until the Reserves Grade was started in 1953/54, and the Senior Colts competition established in 1956/57.

The Works and Housing Club was established to give fringe players and a number of younger players who could not get a game with Buffaloes the opportunity to play in the NTFL competition.  The club was then renamed Nightcliff Football Club in 1963/64.

The foundation members of the Club were Bert Garrett as Secretary, Merve Hunt, Ron Bridget, Roly Dunn and Bob Renner. Most were employed by the Commonwealth Department of Works and Housing. They were supported by former Buffalo players Leo Pon and Ron Chin.

Stewie Clark, Keith Smart, Frank Griffin, Ken Utting, Ian White, Tom Blackley, Mike Crawshaw, John Greenoff, Cost Karaolias, Eddie Motlop, Paul Bleile and Cedric Suradi are amongst a long list of Nightcliff stalwarts who have over the years given dedicated and tireless service to the Club.

Since inception the club has won six Premier League Premierships in 1956/57, 1960/61 and 1964/65 and most recently 2018/19, 2019/20 and 2020/21.

The Tigers’ League teams must have been reasonably strong as they were runners-up on eight occasions, third seventeen and fourth a further eleven occasions. ​The Club has won eleven Reserve grade and seven Under-18 Premierships.

BUILDING TRADITION STRATEGIC PLAN 2017 - 2020

In its 71 year history the fortunes of the Nightcliff Football Club have risen and fallen.

Notwithstanding the legendary players and outstanding teams that have worn the black and gold over this time, a perception remains that the Club has underperformed. 

Good players, coaches, administrators and volunteers have come and gone over the years and formal planning to build the strong foundation necessary to ensure sustained success going forward, is now firmly entrenched in the Club’s culture.

Although it is a well worn cliché, “If you don’t know where you are now and where you want to go to its almost certain you won’t get there”. To stand still is to go backwards.

“Clawing Back” was probably the first strategic planning document produced for, and subsequently adopted by the Club. It was drafted by a small group of concerned members in 2010 after a three year period where Club performances had plummeted. Used as a working tool by the Committee, most of the goals and recommendations put forward have been addressed over the 5 year planning period, and the Club’s overall strength and performance in all grades, has completely reversed in that time. This rise and rise of the Club has been achieved through the dedicated efforts of people (not paper), but, having a background framework for action has undoubtedly assisted this process.

So where to now?

The next phase of strategic planning is due, however, ​a vastly different planning base and circumstances now exist. The Club is currently strong in almost every aspect, and at every playing level.

The Club is well resourced, culturally sound, and highly regarded by the football fraternity, and within the community.

The Club recognises that the planning process must be initiated and driven from within.

The task therefore is not to “Claw Back” but to “maintain the rage” to ensure continual improvement |and sustained success. Rightly or wrongly the key measurement of success in the minds of many, is senior premierships, with a Club’s tradition also linked to this measure. To focus on that measure alone would not be wise, but the Club believes that if it plans the way forward, and strives for constant ​improvement and excellence in everything it does, success, in all its forms will follow. For this reason, and recognising that proof will only come with time, the Club has decided to call the next phase ​of its planning “Building Tradition”. 

It is proposed that there are four essential elements for success:

• Competent and enthusiastic administration with forward goals

• Good players

• Good coaching

• Strong culture

With all these things in place the Club can look forward to being in contention every year. To fall short, in even one area, will invite failure