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ABOUT THE

Canterbury Bankstown FC

The Canterbury Bankstown Football Club or Berries as we are affectionately known is a soccer club based in Bankstown, New South Wales. It competes in the NSW Football League One Men’s competition.

The club was formed in 1886 and was an original member of the NSW Federation of Soccer Clubs when it broke away from the New South Wales Soccer Football Association and competed in its inaugural season in 1957.

The club won the inaugural Federation Cup and were premiers of the regular season, losing the grand final to Auburn. The club predominantly played in the top tier of soccer in Australia until the formation of the National Soccer League I (NSL)n 1977 where it played in the NSW First Division.

The Berries played at national level or the NSL in 1986 out of Arlington Oval, Dulwich Hill.

Canterbury Bankstown host home matches at Jensen Park in Regents Park , Sydney.

In total, Canterbury Bankstown have won two NSW Tier 1 premierships (1957 and 1985) and two championships (1958 and 1960). It has also won two Waratah Cups in 1957 and 1958) as well as two other lower division honours.

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HISTORY

Club History

For a club founded in 1886, Canterbury Bankstown FC has played a defining role in the growth of football in Sydney. From its early days in the first NSW State League to producing national icons like Johnny Warren, the club’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and deep community roots. Across changing eras and identities, CBFC has remained a proud, enduring force in Australian football.

Foundation

  • The club is founded as Canterbury FC, making it one of the earliest football clubs in Sydney and among the oldest in Australia.

  • The club becomes a cornerstone of organised football in the Canterbury and Marrickville districts.

Pioneers of NSW Football

  • Canterbury FC competes in the first-ever New South Wales State League, helping establish the structure of competitive football in the state.

  • The club builds a reputation for strong community roots and competitive spirit.

Producing Australian Football Legends

The club becomes known as a breeding ground for elite Australian talent, producing several internationals:

  • Johnny Warren – Socceroos legend

  • John Watkiss – 1974 World Cup representative

  • Graham Arnold – Future Socceroos coach

  • Charlie Yankos – Former national team captain

  • Ron Corry – Goalkeeper and coach

  • Peter Katholos

  • Zlatko Arambasic

This era cements the club’s reputation as a key contributor to Australian football.

The Greek Community Era & Canterbury‑Marrickville Olympic

  • A group of influential Pan‑Hellenic Sydney Olympic members, frustrated by internal disputes, invest in Canterbury‑Marrickville.

  • The club becomes Canterbury‑Marrickville Olympic, forming Sydney’s second major Greek‑backed football club.

  • This era brings new identity, new supporters, and a surge in ambition.

1960 – NSW Grand Final Triumph

  • Canterbury‑Marrickville Olympic defeats Sydney FC Prague 5–2 in the NSW Grand Final.

  • The squad includes iconic figures such as:

    • Johnny Warren

    • John Watkiss

    • Ron Corry

    • Leo Baumgartner (Austrian international)

  • This remains one of the most celebrated victories in the club’s history.

National Soccer League Participation

  • The club competes in the 1986 National Soccer League (NSL) season, marking its appearance at the highest level of Australian football at the time.

Rebranding to West Sydney Berries

  • The club rebrands from Canterbury‑Marrickville Olympic to West Sydney Berries.

  • The aim is to broaden appeal across South‑Western Sydney.

  • This is the first time in club history that “Canterbury” is not part of the name.

  • The “Berries” nickname comes from the “bury” in Canter‑bury.

Promotion to NSW Premier League

  • Football NSW selects West Sydney Berries for automatic promotion to the NSW Premier League, alongside Macarthur Rams.

  • The move is part of a strategy to strengthen football in Western Sydney and support the idea of a future A‑League franchise.

  • The season proves difficult:

    • The club finishes 10th, narrowly avoiding relegation

    • Raises over $32,000 for the Children’s Hospital at Westmead

Relegation, Rebuilding, and the Modern Canterbury Bankstown Era

  • 2010: After a difficult NSW Premier League campaign, the club finished last and was relegated to the NSW Super League.

  • 2011: The team competed in the Super League while undergoing internal restructuring and community realignment.

  • 2012: The club rebranded to Bankstown Berries FC, reflecting its new geographic base and strengthening ties with the Bankstown region.

  • 2010s–Present: Over the following decade, the club continued to evolve, eventually adopting the name Canterbury Bankstown FC.

    • This modern identity honours both its Canterbury origins (dating back to 1886) and its long-standing presence in the Bankstown district.

    • The club remains committed to player development, multicultural community engagement, and preserving its legacy as one of Sydney’s oldest football institutions.