The club is based in the western suburbs of Melbourne and draws much of its support from the Croatian Australian community.

The most significant ones were: Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

The Melbourne Knights is a club famous for its youth and junior development, it has one of the best set ups in Australia.

Many great players have gone through the youth set up at the Knights, the most notable being Socceroo captain Mark Viduka.

A highlight of this strong set-up came in the NSL years where the Melbourne Knights were a dominant force in the National Youth League, being champions 3 times.

The club has played a particularly important role with the youth of the Croatian community in both Melbourne and Geelong, giving them a pathway in the sport.

The result of this can be seen in the many great soccer players of Croatian heritage that have played for the Knights at the senior level over the past six decades.

An example of the impact the club has had at this level was the 1996 Atlanta Olympic side (under 23) which contained a staggering 5 Knights players; Mark Viduka, Danny Tiatto, Joe Spiteri, Frank Jurić and Steve Horvat.

This rivalry began in 1960 when the clubs first met (Melbourne Knights as Preston Croat) in the Victorian State League.

The club's last victory against JUST in the Victorian State League came in round 17 of 1972, with a 2–0 win at Olympic Park in front of 4,500 fans.

The highly anticipated match at Middle Park was played in front of 5,000 mostly Melbourne Knights fans.

The Melbourne Knights in a dominant display defeated JUST 2–0, with goals coming from Joe Caleta and Zeljko Adzić.

The first victory the club had over South Melbourne came in 1962 (as Preston Croat) in the group stage of the pre-season Ampol Cup with the Knights winning 1–0.

While the first time the Knights defeated South Melbourne in the Victorian State League was in 1965, a 3–2 win at Olympic Park.

The rivalry continued in the modern era with South Melbourne defeating the Knights in an elimination semi-final in front of 5,000 fans.

The Knights would get their revenge a year later by knocking South out of the FFA cup with a 2–0 victory at Lakeside Stadium.

Perth traveling to the Melbourne Croatia Sports Centre only needed a point to ensure a finals berth.

It was a match where Perth player Bobby Despotovski made a 3 fingered Serbian salute to Knights fans.

[citation needed] Other important rivalries have been with fellow Melbourne sides Preston Lions, Green Gully, Heidelberg United and Sunshine George Cross, both at state and national level.

Matches against Preston in particular have traditionally attracted large crowds, while the rivalry with Green Gully was at its most fiercest in the early 80s when the 2 sides dominated the State League.

In the NSL the club had significant rivalries with Sydney Olympic, Marconi Fairfield and particularly Adelaide City.

The Melbourne Knights and Adelaide City were the two dominant soccer powers in the early to mid 90s, they met each other 3 times in the NSL Grand Final.

^Melbourne Knights stripped of the title for fielding an un-registered player SM: Joe Palatsides 88 min MS: Andy Harper 78 min Regular season matches Finals (Playoffs) Matches Overall Melbourne Knights is ranked 5th out of 46 clubs that have competed in the national competition (NSL and A-League): In 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Melbourne Knights, the club named its team of the century: Substitutes: Coach: Mijo Kis (1966–1970, 1972, 1982) Other Nominees: The club has had and produced many players who have been Australian internationals (including 4 Socceroo captains), along with several Croatian internationals.