Port Adelaide is the oldest football (soccer) club in South Australia. But, as can be expected with such a long rich history, change and the occasional upheaval has been part of the landscape.

Here are some of the important events in our history...

1903

Club formed as Woodville "British Football" Club

Frederick 'Ted' Salmon is credited with placing an advertisement in The Advertiser newspaper calling for interested players to form a club in the Port. Unfortunately, the advert appeared the day after the meeting was scheduled.

Mid-1905

Name changed to Port Adelaide "British Football" Club

Because of an initial lack of support in the Port District, Ted established the club at Woodville Park. By 1905, Ted was finally able to persuade most of the Woodville players and committee to change the club name to Port Adelaide and move a short distance to Cheltenham (now the eastern end of the Cheltenham Cemetery)

1912-1914

Some members brake away to form Cheltenham Club

In 1911 and 1912, Port Adelaide won the league undefeated in both years. Despite this success the newspaper reported that "trouble among supporters and members followed these successes and several left to inaugurate the Cheltenham Club". Two years later in March 1914, the officials from both clubs met and agreed on an amalgamation.

1923-1925

 Members leave to form Semaphore Club. 

Once again, a group of players left to form another nearby club. Semaphore was formed in 1923, but like Cheltenham lasted only two years before re-amalgamating.

1956

Amalgamation with Port Thistle Club

At the end of the 1956 season, the Port Adelaide and Port Thistle clubs decide to amalgamate. That year, Port Adelaide had won promotion back to First Division while "Thistles" had narrowly missed out, finishing third. Despite the on-field success, both teams were finding it hard to operate independently. The vote was close and only happened with the casting vote of the Port Thistle chairman at the time, Dave Lawrie.

1993

Amalgamation with USC Lion

In a time where district based clubs were finding it difficult to compete with the richer ethnic based clubs, the completion of the 1992 season saw an amalgamation brokered between Port Adelaide and the Ukrainian Community Club, USC Lion.

Over 100 Years of the World Game in Port Adelaide

The Pirates tradition goes way back to 1903 making us the oldest surviving club from any capital city!

Many years of research has gone in to Colin Alagich's (Snr) book "100 Years of the World Game in Port Adelaide", with the assistance of many people and their valuable input.

This book is available over the bar at The Pirates Clubrooms and will be of interest to anyone who had a relative involved in the club's rich history as well as those who are currently creating the next historic chapters on and off the field. Interstate and overseas orders can be arranged by contacting the club.