1965 NSW First Division season
The 1965 NSW First Division season was the ninth season of soccer in New South Wales under the administration of the NSW Federation of Soccer Clubs since its breakaway from the NSW Soccer Football Association in January 1957. In a truncated season compared to the previous year, the home and away regular season comprised 18 rounds, beginning in March and ending in August. South Coast United finished first on the ladder to become regular season premiers for the second time.
The finals series was primarily held throughout September with a four-team playoff series. APIA Leichhardt reached the grand final against St George-Budapest when they eventually defeated Yugal after three minor semi final replays and defeat of South Coast in the preliminary final. The club recorded their second consecutive championship with a 2–0 victory over St George, with Johnny Watkiss and Johnny Wong scoring in the decider.
The pre-season Ampol Cup was won for a fifth time by Sydney FC Prague, defending the title from the previous season.
Clubs
Changes from last season:- The division was contracted to a ten-team league, reducing its number from 12 teams.
- Canterbury, Bankstown SC and first time participants Corinthian BESC were relegated to NSW Second Division.
- Polonia-North Side were promoted from NSW Second Division.
Table and results
Finals series
Grand Final
| NSWSF First Division 1965 Premiers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |size=100pxStatistics and awardsTop Star AwardSoccer World reporters awarded stars out of six to players throughout the 18 rounds. The player with the highest stars was Jimmy Kelly with 4.28, very narrowly beating Polonia-North Side halfback Ginter Gawlik. 15 players averaged four points or more. Below left is the list of all fifteen players and below right is the team of the year:
Top scorersJohn Giacometti was the season's top goalscorer with 23 goals. Below is a list of the top ten goalscorers for the season:
AttendancesBelow is a list of attendances by club:
Other competitionsAmpol CupThe season began with the ninth edition of the floodlit pre-season night series, culminating with the double-header third place playoff and Final on Friday, 19 February in front of 5,800 spectators. |