Now thanks to the amazing work of these pioneers, “wogball” has evolved into Australia’s game. The game has brought people from all different backgrounds together more than any other cultural past time. More people participate in organised football than any other organised sport in this country.

The Socceroos and now the Matildas bring people from all different backgrounds together more than any of our other national teams. It is truly a multicultural sport which perfectly mirrors Australia’s multicultural way of life.

Let’s not forget how important it was for these ethnic pioneers to have football as a way to help them combat homesickness. Unless you’re a migrant you will have little understanding of what it’s like to start a new life in Australia. It is not a matter of flicking a switch and changing who you are.

It was important for European Australians to have a way of connecting with others from their heritage so they could forge a new life in Australia and overcome obstacles together, with people who understood what they were going through.

Football clubs not only provided a means to do this, but as time went on, these football clubs provided a way for people from different ethnic backgrounds - be it European, British, Asian, South American, Middle Eastern - to connect with each other and embrace what it truly meant to be an Aussie. That is, we are all the same, no matter what!

The most important thing to remember is that all of these ethnic clubs now welcome people from all different backgrounds. Go to a NPL or State League or Community football ground near you and you will see kids, teenagers, adults and elderly folk from all walks of life sitting together enjoying a cuppa or a hot pie whilst cheering on their team.

The team could be made up of an indigenous Australian, a Greek Australian, a Sri Lankan Australian, a Serbian-Polish Australian, an English-Indian Australian and so on. Regardless of the background of these clubs, they now belong to everyone, and that is how it should be.

Many Australians have met future husbands or wives from different backgrounds at their various football clubs, underlining how much their football club has shaped their life.

One thing we must address, there is no room for nationalism. That is the underlying cause of the trouble that does occasionally rear its ugly head.

Celebrating ones heritage does not mean you should become political or antagonistic towards other ethnicities or religions, even if there is a history of war and conflict. Any song or banner that is provocative or promotes violence or hatred is not at all welcome.

It is up to fans to use common sense and understand where the line is. Clubs must also have strict rules and consequences in place when things go to far.

After all football must be a safe and welcoming environment for everyone!

History and tradition is what makes sports so great. Without this history, we wouldn’t have a present or future. So let’s embrace it, not decry it!