It's that sort of oversight that riles plenty of people,including fans. In 2006,Perth Glory supporters wanted to celebrate the club's 10th anniversary,but the FFA,which then controlled the licence,refused to recognise the milestone,effectively arguing that the Glory's years in the NSL didn't count.
They were the worst days of the"old soccer,new football"divide - a dark period that alienated generations. Thankfully,the FFA has finally realised the error of its ways.
Earlier this year,two members of the FFA's panel of historians,Roy Hay and Bill Murray,published a wonderful book,A Game of Two Halves,partly helped by the FFA.
Frank Lowy even wrote the foreward. It is a forensic examination of the long and proud history of the game,and provides priceless insights into the struggle for acceptance. Not just the when and how,but more importantly the why.
What we now know better than we ever have is that organised football in Australia,largely kicked off by Scottish migrants,is as old,if not older,than the other codes.
And it spread quickly throughout the nation. The first interstate match (between Victoria and NSW) was played in 1884. In chronological order,state bodies were formed in NSW (1880),Victoria (1883),Northern NSW (1884),Queensland (1884),Western Australia (1896),South Australia (1902),Tasmania (1910),ACT (1926) and Northern Territory (1933).
There are plenty of century-old clubs,too. Historians such as Nick Guoth,Walter Pless,Alan Vessey,Richard Kreider,Greg Stock and Harry Hetherington have helped reveal the oldest clubs around the country.
They are - in no particular order - Balgownie Rangers and Granville (NSW,both 1883),Moreland City (Victoria,1916 - as Coburg),Wallsend (Northern NSW,1887),Ipswich Knights (Queensland,1888 - as Dinmore Bush Rats),Subiaco AFC (WA,1910),Port Adelaide (SA,1903),South Hobart (Tasmania,1910),Hellenic Athletic (NT,1958) and Burns FC (ACT,1924).
Here's the truth. The game in general,and the A-League in particular,wouldn't be the same without the contribution of all those who toiled away spreading the word from Darwin to Hobart,and all points in between.
Football has a national footprint,and a firm foundation,thanks to the herculean efforts of these pioneers. In their own way,the new owners of Brisbane Roar continue to pay homage to this heritage. It's the right thing to do.