Essendon Football Club is today mourning the passing of club Hall of Fame member Noel Allanson.
Allanson, who was born on Christmas Day in 1925, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 96. He was the club's only surviving World War II veteran.
With over 45 years of service at Essendon as a player and administrator, Allanson's contribution to the club was profound.
As a player, he was a solid defender whose career coincided with a golden era for the club.
Making his debut in 1947, Allanson played alongside legends Dick Reynolds and John Coleman over his 57-game career, savouring the ultimate success as a member of the Bombers' 1950 premiership team.
"My career was modest, I would say, but I managed to squeeze in a couple of Grand Finals and one premiership," Allanson said when he was inducted into the club's Hall of Fame in 2015.
"But to play with blokes that I used to watch as a kid in the early '30s and '40s, like Dick Reynolds, Bill Hutchison, Wally Buttsworth, John Coleman, Harold Lambert and Jack Jones, I couldn't believe it.
"They turned out to be terrific teammates, and they accepted me as just as a kid in football terms."
After his playing career ended in 1951, Allanson made his mark as a cricketer, representing Victoria in a first-class match against Tasmania in 1957.
He returned to Windy Hill in 1976 as Essendon's vice-president, before holding the position of club treasurer from 1978 to 1991.
The Essendon Football Club extends its deepest condolences to Allanson's loved ones.
Rest in peace, Noel.
