Essendon Football Club opened up its inner sanctum to a group of lucky members as it unveiled the fan-voted name for its world-class facilities, The Hangar, on Friday.

After taking part in the proceedings in the morning, the members were given the opportunity to tour The Hangar, meet players, take autographs and watch the squad train.

Lifelong Bombers supporter Steve Bellis was one of the lucky few and said it had been a fantastic experience and that meeting club legend Kevin Sheedy was a highlight of the day.

“I’ve followed Essendon since I was five, that’s forty-odd years, and it’s a privilege to get to meet people like that, it’s been really good,” Bellis said.

Bellis voted to name the facility The Hangar and said it was the perfect name for the club.

“It’s a very good name and it’s most appropriate for the club, seeing as we’re the Bombers,” he said.

Bullis said opening up the club to fans at events like Friday’s is a crucial part of moving on from the team’s past issues.

“After the troubles that we’ve had, it’s shown a good side of the club and how things have changed,” Bullis said.

“Hopefully it all continues and brings good things to the club.”

After the team showed significant improvement to reach the finals in 2017, Bullis is one of many members with high hopes for the club next year.

“Getting a bit further into the finals would be a good thing,” he said.

“They’ve recruited well and have some good, young players coming through.

“I think that they’re on the verge of something fairly big at the club at the moment.”