2014 Illawarra Premier League

The 2014 Illawarra Premier League was the 37th season consecutive season of the Illawarra Premier League. Commencing in late March, and concluding in August, Bulli FC took out the Premiership for the 4th time, whilst Dapto Dandaloo won the Grand Final (against Bulli FC), for the 5th time.

Teams

Club

Location

Ground

Bulli FC

Bulli

Balls Paddock

Dapto Dandaloo Fury

Dapto

Dapto Dandaloo Sports Ground

Wollongong United

Wollongong

Macedonia Park

Port Kembla FC

Pork Kembla

Wetherall Park

South Coast United

Wollongong

Sir Ian McLennan Park,

Tarrawanna Blueys

Tarrawanna

Tarrawanna Oval

Wollongong Olympic

Wollongong

Beaton Park

Albion Park White Eagles

Albion Park

Terry Reserve

Woonona FC

Woonona Sharks

Ocean Park

Cringila Lions

Cringila

John Crehan Park

Bellambi FC

Bellambi

Elizabeth Park

Fernhill FC

Fernhill

Ray Robinson Field

Season Summary

Bulli FC took out their 4th Illawarra Premier League premiers plate after finishing first having only lost 3 games in the season. It was Bulli's first Premiership in 26 years, having last won the competition back in 1988. Their final round 2-0 victory over Albion Park White Eagles saw them snatch the Premiership from eventual Grand Final champions Dapto Dandaloo.

The highest scoring game of the season was between Cringila Lions and Wollongong United, which finished 1-10, with Wollongong's Irish Striker Robbie Shield's finishing with an impressive 6 goals on the day. Shield's would wind up the season's golden boot with a tally of 27 goals for the season, including a penalty.

After 22 rounds, the top 5 teams went through to the finals series. The teams being Bulli FC, Dapto Dandaloo Fury FC, Wollongong United, Port Kembla FC, and South Coast United. Bulli would ProgresS through to the final after dispatching Dapto Dandaloo in the semi final comfortably via a 3-0 win, requiring Dapto Dandaloo to face off against a strong Port Kembla in order to book their place in the decider. Despite going down 1-0 early in their preliminary final, Dapto Dandaloo would confirm a replay against Bulli in the final, coming from behind to win 2-1.

The 2014 Illawarra Premier League grand final was held at Wollongong's WIN Stadium. Dapto Dandaloo, who were keen to amend recent results against Bulli, having lost the semi final and the previous regular season game by a combined 8 goals. Daptop Dandaloo would run out convincing 2-0 winners, with goals from Shaun McRae and Joe Crowley in the second half sealing their 2nd Grand Final triumph in 3 years. The win also saw the retirement of Noel Spencer who had been Player-coach with Dapto Dandaloo. The win added further success to Spencer's career, having won the 1999–2000 National Soccer League with the Wollongong Wolves (now South Coast Wolves), and the 2008 A-League Grand Final with the Newcastle Jets.

Table

P

Team

Pl

Won

Draw

Loss

For

Against

GD

Points

Finals/Relegation

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" |1

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" |Bulli FC

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" |22

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" |17

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" |2

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" |3

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" |50

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" |18

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" | +40

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" |53

! bgcolor="#87CEEB" | 2015 Premiers and Qualification to finals series

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |2

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |Dapto Dandaloo Fury

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |22

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |15

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |5

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |2

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |49

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |24

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" | +25

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |50

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |Qualification to Finals Series

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |3

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |Wollongong United

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |22

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |12

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |6

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |4

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |53

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |28

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" | +25

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |42

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |Qualification to Finals Series'

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |4

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |Port Kembla FC

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |22

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |11

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |5

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |6

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |38

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |26

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" | +2

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |38

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |Qualification to Finals Series

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |5

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |South Coast United

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |22

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |11

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |5

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |6

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |32

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |28

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" | +4

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |36

! bgcolor="#c0ffff" |Qualification to Finals Series

6

Tarrawanna Blueys

22

9

5

8

35

32

+3

32

7

Wollongong Olympic

22

8

4

10

33

33

0

28

8

Albion Park White Eagles

22

8

3

11

46

45

+1

27

9

Woonona FC

22

4

10

8

26

35

-9

22

10

Cringila Lions FC

22

5

3

14

25

56

-31

18

11

Bellambi FC

22

3

4

15

23

59

-36

13

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |12

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |Fernhill FC

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |22

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |0

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |7

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |15

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |20

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |54

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |-54

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |7

! bgcolor="#FF6666" |Relegated to the Illawarra Credit League

Finals

Elimination Final

Qualifying final

Minor Semi-Final

Major Semi-Final

Preliminary Final

Grand Final

Top Scorers

Correct as of conclusion of the 2014 season.

P

Name

Team

Goals

1

Robbie Shields

Wollongong United

27

2

Ben McDonald

Bulli FC

16

3

Chris Smith

Albion Park White Eagles

11

4

Alvin Ceccoli

Dapto Dandaloo Fury

10

5

Shaun McRae

Dapto Dandaloo Fury

10

6

Hayden Mowbray

Dapto Dandaloo Fury

10