WAFL historian earns Life MembershipWednesday, August 30, 2023 - 2:59 PM

For over 40 years, Greg Wardell-Johnson's unwavering dedication and passionate commitment to the West Australian Football League (WAFL) has left an historic mark on the sport.

The West Australian Football Commission congratulates Wardell-Johnson for being awarded WAFL Life Membership.

Wardell-Johnson's journey into the world of WAFL and WA Football began decades ago, and he never imagined being honoured for doing something he loves.

“It’s fantastic. I never even thought about Life Membership, but to be recognized as having made an important contribution to the WAFL as a historian for over 30 years is terrific and humbling,” Wardell-Johnson said.
In the 1990s, he embarked on a remarkable mission to compile an exhaustive list of every WAFL league player since its inception in 1885. 

His quest to uncover the full names, dates of birth, and even dates of passing for each player was driven by an unyielding passion to celebrate the rich history of the game and those who contributed to it.

“I developed an intense interest in the history of the game as a boy of about 10 when my uncle was always talking about football greats of the past,” Wardell-Johnson said.

“I noticed there were gaps in a lot of records pre-WWII, so I started going to the State Library and researching in old newspapers in 1980’s. 

“I built up my own season by season results and player lists from 1885 and started to swap information with the leading historian of the day Dave Clement who wrote for Westside Football. 

“Eventually I became known as someone who had player records no one else had and started helping the WAFC with history enquiries on a voluntary basis in the 1990s.”

In 2008 Wardell-Johnson became the WAFC historian and a driving force behind the comprehensive records of the WAFL 200 club.

His meticulous approach to record-keeping and passion for knowledge have elevated him to a league of his own. 
Wardell-Johnson's invaluable contributions provide profound insights into the history, statistics, and finer aspects of the game, ensuring that the legacy of WA Football endures for generations to come.  

Wardell-Johnson's meticulous work serves as a time capsule that captures the essence of the sport's development over the years. 

His comprehensive records are more than just statistics; they paint a vivid picture of football's evolution, tracing the rise of stars, the triumphs of teams, and the defining moments that have shaped the WAFL.

Wardell-Johnson's contribution extends beyond his role as the WAFC historian, and in the early 2000s, he took up the mantle of Secretary of the WA Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, where his insights and expertise played a pivotal role in honoring the legends of the game. 

Additionally, he serves on the WAFC Heritage Committee, playing a crucial part in preparing submissions for various history projects at iconic WA football venues Subiaco and Optus Stadium.

“There’s a very rich 130-year history of a sport that’s been an important fabric of WA society,” Wardell-Johnson said. 

“Football has been a great unifier of all levels of our society – rich and poor, indigenous and non-indigenous and professional and blue collar, and I love discussing football deeds of the past with anyone interested.”

Wardell-Johnson's journey to uncover and document WAFL's history continues even today. His consistent research in identifying and verifying information for every WAFL player underscores his dedication to completeness and accuracy. 

By providing such a comprehensive resource, he ensures that the stories of countless players, coaches, and administrators are not forgotten but cherished and remembered. 

“I have had many great lightbulb moments in my research where the full name or birth details of a player have been able to be identified from limited newspaper hints. 

“Players whose actual names were quite different to what they were known as, are the most satisfying to crack eg: Jack “Kanga” Williams of Swans ended up being Arthur Seymour Williams and early state player Nick Gilbert ended up being Francis James Gilbert. 

As the WAFC congratulates him on his remarkable contributions, Wardell-Johnson's legacy will forever be entwined with the rich tapestry of WAFL, ensuring that future generations will appreciate and learn from the sport's vibrant past.