THE Marocchi family have been synonymous with football in Western Australia for close on 70 years.
From the foundation of the Perth Azzurri club in 1948 up until today - Auzzuri having morphed into Perth Soccer Club as a professional outfit - the Marocchis have been influential all the way.
There have been many plaudits for the family in those decades - and it will go a step further at the Football Hall of Fame WA 20th anniversary Gala Dinner/Induction Night at Crown Perth on November 26.
Bruno Marocchi, at 70 the oldest surving member of the family, will be inducted into the Hall of Merit for Players.
"It's a wonderful honour," said Bruno who hopes to make it a real family occasion.
"My wife will be there and my two sons with their wives and my brother Leo, so there will be plenty of Marocchis on hand.
"I'm also hoping that a friend from Italy will be able to make the function."
Bruno followed in the footsteps of his father, Saverio, who played and led the newly-formed Perth Azzurri team in 1948.
"Yes, dad was in at the beginning and, along with my mum Doris, it seems we've always been involved, whether it was playing, captaining the team or helping out in the canteen and making sandwiches for the players or serving on various committees the club has been a huge part of our lives."
Bruno's brother Gary is probably Azzurri's most famous son, having gone on to captain Australia and later coach Perth Italia to three league titles, the Perth Kangaroos and Perth Glory. Gary was inducted into the Hall of Champions in 1996 - and became one of the first to elevated to the Hall of Legends in 2005.
Gary is now president of Perth SC and had his first taste of success as the figurehead of the club when the team won the National Premier Leagues WA title this year, and followed it a few weeks later by lifting the Top Four Trophy.
Another brother, Eric, also skippered and coached Azzurri, and played multiple times for the State team, while the youngest of the family, Leo, played juniors at Azzurri and seniors with Bayswater.
Bruno and Eric were feted by Perth SC a couple of years ago when they received merit plaques in recognition of their service with the club.
Bruno made a dynamic impact in his playing days with Azzurri, captaining the team and winning five league titles, four D'Orsogna Cups and four Night Series. He was the joint winner of the D'Orsogna Medal in 1970.
He also won the D'Orsogna Cup with East Fremantle Tricolore and finished his career with Balcatta Etna. He coached the inaugural Azzurri women's team and also coached women's teams with Balcatta and Floreat Athena.
He played at under-16 level for WA and was a regular with the State senior team in the late 1960s and early 1970s, making 26 appearances.

PICTURED: The Marocchi family: Saverio, Bruno, Eric, Doris and Gary.