The Bombers started out as most USAFL clubs did, expat Australians just wanting to have a kick around. In 1997 Paul O’Keeffe formed the Milwaukee Bombers, named after a sister-ship arrangement was organized with the Essendon Bombers AFL Club. The first training saw three eager participants who were kicked off the American Football field – an inauspicious start for a new club. Milwaukee has always been focused on the development of the American players due to the small number of Aussies living in Wisconsin. In the early years this led to some very lean years on the field – but it also forced the club to look to the American players to build the foundation of the club.