The Hall of Fame was the brainchild of former State player John O'Connell. As a member of soccer's ruling body in WA, The Soccer Administration of WA (SAWA), O'Connell in 1995 put forward the idea of establishing a "Hall of Fame" to celebrate 100 years of official soccer in WA in 1996.

SAWA, under the presidency of long-time soccer personality, Mr Lou Ricci, readily agreed to the idea and commissioned O'Connell to formulate and head a committee charged with the authority to develop a "Hall of Fame".

O'Connell sought out identities in the community who had the background and reputation within the code of soccer to inspire confidence in a fair and balanced approach in the establishment and implementation of a "Hall of Fame"

To this end he attracted Julius Re, Frank Miller, Bob Brown, Alan Beale and David Andrews to join him in this historic venture.

Historic it was because WA was the first State to set up a "Hall of Fame" for soccer. In fact it was the first State to set up such a project for any individual sport.

The only guidelines for such an idea came from the Museum of Sport housed at Challenge Stadium situated in Perth and established by the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Once the committee for the "Hall of Fame" had been selected guidelines were established to formalize a system that would be reflective of all facets of the code.

The "Hall of Fame" would honour those in the code both on and off the field.

To this end the "Hall of Fame" was divided into two divisions - The "Hall of Champions" and the "Hall of Recognition".

The "Hall of Champions" would pay tribute to players while the "Hall of Recognition" would honour those off the field who had significantly contributed to the advancement of the game in other capacities.

These included referees, coaches, administrators at a State level, promoters (including media representatives) and even sponsors.

Help from the public is and continues to be sought from the general public asking for submissions that might be included in the "Hall of Fame".

Criteria were set, especially for the "Hall of Champions", and the first induction into the two halls of the "Hall of Fame" was held at a black-tie dinner at the Langley Plaza Hotel in November of 1996.

Those inducted into the two halls included a number from the foundation of the game in WA in 1896 through the 20th century to the present day.

In all 29 players, including three women, were welcomed into the "Hall of Champions", while 16 individuals were inducted into the "Hall of Recognition".

A special place in the "Hall of Recognition" was reserved for the Burt family who above all others were responsible for inspiring and establishing soccer in WA.

Sir Septimus Burt, the State's first Attorney General, and five of his six sons cajoled and persuaded soccer's birth in May of 1896 serving on the first committee and adding their enthusiasm on the playing field.

Two sons, Reginald and George, played for WA with George in the State side until the start of World War One. George then continued after the war for many years in an administrative capacity.

A second induction for both halls was held in November 2002 with 11 players and 14 others being added to the list of the elite.

Among those inducted into the "Hall of Recognition" were a number of personalities who had done sterling work in country areas such as Albany, Geraldton and Bunbury

The first State match was held in 1902 when WA met and was beaten by the touring English Cricket team.

To commemorate that event, the committee of the "Hall of Fame" researched and compiled and selected the top 100 players of the century.

Called "A Century of Champions" the names on this list along with those so far inducted into the "Hall of Fame" in the two divisions will be permanently honoured in a museum, the committee plans to establish in the near future.

There are many players in action today who clearly will be considered for future inductions, while those behind the scenes in other capacities will not be overlooked.