Baker Park national football team

The Baker Park national football team is the national team representing Commonwealth of Baker Park in international football competition. Is is governed by the Football Association of the Commonwealth (FAC).

Following World Cup 86, former NT managers Trevor Richmond and Pamela Scott were inducted into the World Cup Hall of Fame as Baker Park's first two nominees for their contributions to the success of the NT during the NSWC era.

History

The Commonwealth National Team played it's first official match in 1934, a 9-0 defeat. There were no other fixtures scheduled until 1948; over the next five years, BP went winless in 14 straight contests, losing 10 and drawing four. October 1952 saw the team earn their first ever victory, followed in March 1953 by a second win in the first international match played in the Commonwealth, at Sportsmen's Park in Belle Haven. This sparked a run where the team won six and drew three over the next 10 fixtures from 1953-56, followed by another lean period where they drew twice and won just three time in a 12 match span to the end of 1959.

Frank Neilson became manager for 1960 and had a winning record in 10 matches in charge (5-4-1). He was replace by Henry Swanton ahead of the national team's 50th match, another home win at Sportsmen's Park, which left the record at 17 wins, 23 losses and 10 ties.

Colin Riordan was name manager in 1970 and in seven years amassed a record of 19-18-7, which made him the winningest and longest serving NT boss. Another period of poor results followed, capped off by an 11 match winless run ending in 1981.

1980's and "Mr Charlie"

George Charleston took over in 1981 ahead of the team's 179th match, a 4-0 win followed in early 1982 by a 5-1 victory. The next seven years saw the most successful period in Baker Park soccer history, as the team won 30 and drew 10 in a 50 match span.