With the tenth anniversary of the Socceroos qualifying for their first World Cup since 1974 upon us, here at Inside Sport we thought it fitting to reflect on the man who never gave up on the code in Australia; never doubted its potential and stuck by it during its darkest times.

"Captain Socceroo" believed he was on a football mission; one that Australian fans have continued since his death in 2004.

It is unfortunate that Warren himself never got to witness the Socceroos playing in three consecutive World Cups, or the creation and growth of the A-League, for which he was a leading advocate. Nor did he ever get to witness a Sydney or Melbourne Derby - two fixtures that have gone on to capture the nation.

It is also unfortunate that he never got to be part of Australia lifting the Asian Cup in 2015, the Western Sydney Wanderers securing the Asian Champions League title, or the growth of the Matildas and the women's game as a whole.

Yes, he may have missed the golden era of Australian football, but there's no doubt Johnny Warren is smiling down from football heaven saying to himself, and us ... "I TOLD YOU SO".