Essendon Football Club, often referred to as Essendon or simply The Bombers, is one of the most iconic and successful Australian rules football clubs. Founded in 1872 as an amalgamation of leading clubs from the local area, it has stood the test of time. The club is based in Essendon, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and plays its home matches at the renowned Marvel Stadium, which boasts a seating capacity of over 56,000.
Essendon has a rich history, boasting 16 VFL/AFL premierships, the most recent being in 2000. The club enjoyed its most successful era under legendary coach Kevin Sheedy, who led the Bombers to four premiership victories between 1981 and 2007.
Known for its dynamic style of play, the club has nurtured some of Australian football’s greatest talents, including Dick Reynolds, Bill Hutchison, James Hird, and Jobe Watson. Despite recent challenges and inconsistent performances, Essendon remains one of the Australia's most valuable football clubs, with a nationwide fan base and a rich tradition that continues to influence Australian rules football.
Essendon Football Club is one of the most popular Australian rules football clubs, with a significant fan base. The club states that its nationwide fan base includes numerous recognised branches of the Essendon Football Club Supporters Group (EFCSG), all across Australia. The club takes advantage of this support through its nationwide pre-season tours. Sports industry consultants estimate that Essendon Football Club has a massive fan following across Australia. The club enjoys considerable social media following among Australian sports teams, with a significant number of followers as of July 2023. A 2014 study showed that Essendon had the most vocal fans in the Australian Football League (AFL).
Essendon Football Club was formed in 1871 and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the AFL. The team initially played games against other local teams, and on 7 June 1873, they competed in their first recorded match; wearing the club's traditional colours—black and red—they emerged victorious against Carlton Football Club.
In October 1949, the appointment of John Coleman as a player brought about a change in the club's fortunes. Coleman, who was an extraordinary full forward, led the team to several victories and became a legend in Essendon's history. Under his influence, the club won the VFL premiership in 1962 and 1965.
On 30 August 2007, Kevin Sheedy announced that he was to retire as coach at the end of the football season, but would remain at the club in an ambassador role. He retired as the most decorated coach in Essendon's history. The club announced the next day that Matthew Knights would replace him from 2008 season, having signed a three-year contract. James Hird took over as coach in September 2010, when Knights was sacked after a poor season in which the club failed to make the AFL finals. The club has since then gone through a period of rebuilding and restructuring.
Originally funded by the Melbourne City Council, Essendon Football Club became a limited company in 1871 and sold shares to local supporters for £1 via an application form. In 1897, majority ownership passed to four local businessmen who invested £500 to save the club from bankruptcy, including future club president George Stuckey. After his death in 1905, the club faced bankruptcy yet again but was saved in December 1921 by William McClelland, who assumed control of the club after an investment of £2,000. McClelland promoted his son, Alan, to the board in 1948, but died three years later; the McClelland family retained ownership of the club through William's wife, Lillian, but the position of chairman passed to former player Albert Thurgood.
Promoted to the board a few days after the World War II, Ken Luke, a friend of Dick Reynolds, began acquiring shares in the club; for an investment of approximately £40,000, he accumulated a 54 per cent shareholding and took control in January 1965. When Lillian McClelland died in January 1972, her shares passed to Alan McClelland, who sold a percentage of his shares to Ken Luke's son, Martin, in 1979; Martin Luke went on to become chairman upon his father's death in 1981. Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch attempted to buy the club in 1985, but did not meet Luke's asking price. In 1990, chairman Martin Luke attempted to sell the club to Paul Little for £20 million, but the sale fell through and Little joined the board of directors instead.
Essendon Football Club is one of the most successful clubs in Australia in terms of trophies won. The club's first trophy was the VFA Premiership, which they won in 1891. In 1897, the club won their first VFL/AFL Premiership and have since gone on to win a total of 16 VFL/AFL Premierships. The club has also won a record 4 pre-season competition titles and 1 Night Series title.
Domestic
Individual
Essendon Football Club: The official website of the Essendon Football Club provides comprehensive information about the club's history, team, coaches, and achievements. https://www.essendonfc.com.au/
Australian Football League: The official website of the Australian Football League (AFL) provides detailed statistics, news, and updates about all the league's clubs, including the Essendon Football Club. https://www.afl.com.au/
Becoming a leading global provider of digital solutions and services for the sports industry, enabling our clients to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
We aspire to be a trusted partner and advisor to our clients, leveraging our expertise and passion for sports to help them succeed in a rapidly changing market.
