Essendon Football Club has reached its first membership milestone for season 2014 passing 30,000 members.

This is the first time the club has reached the 30,000 member milestone before December, and now sits over 4,000 members ahead of the same time last year.

Record numbers signed up to support the red and black during the 2013 home and away season with that strong support already carrying into the 2014 pre-season campaign.

Essendon senior coach Mark Thompson acknowledged the members for their continued support.

“Our members are the most loyal and passionate supporters in the AFL,” Thompson said.

“It's great to see the club reach 30,000 members this early in the pre-season - It has been a challenging year for the club but we have been overwhelmed by the loyalty of our members."

"On behalf of everyone at the club thank you to all the members for getting on board and supporting us through buying a membership"

The current membership tally is 33,187.

Essendon is encouraging fans to become an official supporter of the club by joining or renewing their membership for 2014. Click here to purchase your membership.