I just need source on the assertion that the main reason the National League is "declared amateur" is because of the Kings/Knights/Phoenix. My feeling was that it had more to do with "clubs can't survive without pokies money post-tobacco sponsorship". I suppose what I need is confirmation of when our National League was declared to be amateur - or was it always? Weren't teams fielding openly professional players in the 80s and 90s? But the tobacco money ran out at about the time the Kingz joined the NSL, so maybe the timelines coincide.
I just need source on the assertion that the main reason the National League is "declared amateur" is because of the Phoenix. My feeling was that it had more to do with "clubs can't survive without pokies money post-tobacco sponsorship". I suppose what I need is confirmation of when our National League was declared to be amateur - or was it always? Weren't teams fielding openly professional players in the 80s and 90s?