Essendon Football Club is thrilled to announce Richard ‘Dick’ Reynolds as the next legend of the club to be honoured on the heritage guernsey over the next two seasons.
The guernsey, previously honouring goal kicking great John Coleman, will once again be worn as the Bombers’ alternate strip during the 2014 and 2015 premiership seasons.
Named as Essendon’s greatest ever player, Reynolds was a footballer who captured the imagination of a generation and became an icon at Windy Hill.
He is one of just four triple Brownlow Medallists in league history, captaining the Bombers from 1939-1950, he played 320 games, won four premierships and represented Victoria on 17 occasions.
The seven-time Essendon best and fairest winner is a Legend of the Australia Football Hall of Fame as well as a member of the AFL and Essendon Team of the Century.
Essendon’s heritage guernsey was created in 2012 in consultation with past players, premiership captains, key stakeholders and the clubs official apparel partner adidas.
The jumper will continue to preserve the club’s famous red sash and have a grey body with the name of every Essendon premiership player embedded.
The inside neck of the jumper features an iconic image of Reynolds and his career statistics, and the upper left side of the red sash bares his name and signature.
Premiership teammate Jack Jones said it was a privilege to play alongside Reynolds.
“He’s just one of those players that comes along every two decades or so, he was just an outstanding player,” Jones said.
“To think that I played in three Premierships and seven consecutive grand finals with him is just outstanding, I keep pinching myself at night.”
“He was a true gentlemen, a champion player and his legacy will never be forgotten.”
As part of the official unveiling at the True Value Solar Centre, emerging forward Joe Daniher presented members of the Reynolds family with the new guernsey.
Daniher said the heritage guernsey is a fitting tribute to one of the most respected and decorated players in Essendon history.
“Dick Reynolds is a legend of the footy club,” Daniher said.
“For Dick to be featured on the heritage guernsey is not only an honour for his family but it’s an honour for the players to pull on a jumper baring his name.“
“Growing up in a passionate Essendon household I learnt about greats such as Dick Reynolds through the famous stories my dad and uncles used to tell.“
“It’s really important for our younger generations of supporters to learn about our heritage and tradition - one thing we continue to do really well as a club is preserve our rich history.”
Dick Reynolds’ grandson and past player, Joel, said it was a proud moment for his family.
“Our family has had a long and proud association with the Essendon Football Club, and to have our grandfather represented on the red sash is a huge honour for us,” Joel said.
“It’s a fantastic gesture by the club and one we as a family are really excited about heading into the 2014 season. As a family we can’t wait to go along and watch the team run out in the jumper against Richmond at the MCG in Round 20.”
In the lead up to today’s official unveiling, the club ran an on-line competition asking supporters to submit, in twenty-four words or less, which Essendon legend they thought would appear on the 2014 heritage guernsey.
The club was inundated with more than one thousand entries and after much deliberation Mark Hickleton was announced as the winner for his winning entry.
“Humility, Courage, Perseverance, Loyalty. A humble and inspirational man who gave to the club in ways beyond measure. Essendon is defined by Dick Reynolds,” Mark Hickleton.
The Dick Reynolds heritage guersney will be worn in twice in season 2014. The first time will be when the club travels to play Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval in Round 16 and against Richmond at the MCG in Round 20.
To purchase your Dick Reynolds heritage guernsey from the Bomebrshop, click here.
