Former Essendon Premiership player Dean Solomon is relishing the opportunity at hand with his new position on the Club’s Board.

With over 7,000 votes coming his way in the Club’s recent Election of Directors, Solomon will now join the Club’s Board for a three-year term alongside current President David Barham, who was also re-elected as a Director this week.

Not normally one for highlighting his own work, Solomon was motivated to apply for the role on account of his prior history with the Bombers and a deep-seeded passion for the Club, as well as the chance to help contribute to the Board’s vision.

“I’m really excited by the result in the sense that I get the opportunity now to support the current Board and see what we can do moving forward,” Solomon told essendonfc.com.au this week.

“The last couple of weeks has been a bit of a unique experience for me. I'm not one to enjoy the self-promotion and all that sort of stuff, but I understand that's part of the responsibility of applying for the Board.

“My love for the Club (played the biggest part in applying) to be honest. I’ve mentioned it before in previous interviews, but I owe this club so much - it's given me a life, an opportunity, lifelong role models and it gave me direction for nine years in a really important part of my life.

“I'm forever in debt and I now have the space in not being associated to any other AFL club in a coaching sense.”

In addition to his 209-game AFL career, Solomon brings over 24 years of senior experience when you factor in his years as an Assistant Coach with Fremantle, GWS and a notable nine-year stint with the SUNS.

Solomon has also enjoyed successful business ventures away from football, founding the wellness centre SALT and spreading to two locations in East Melbourne and Kingscliff.

Observing from afar and acquiring more experiences, both in and away from football, the 44-year-old felt the time was right to come back to the Club.

“I had time to assess my current situation,” Solomon said.

“I've sat and watched us play for the last three or four years and just thought ‘how can I get back involved’? Being located in New South Wales didn't allow me to get involved in a coaching sense, so to analyse some of the Board movements in the last year, I thought there might have been an opportunity to apply for that role.

“There’s nothing like opening your own business from a piece of paper and building it from the ground up. That gives you an experience at all levels and I guess that exposure over the last four or five years bettered me for when I thought about applying for this role.”

“Obviously, my strength is in and around football - having been a part of it as a player and coach for 24 years - but the last four years has allowed me that exposure to enhance my skillset and feel like I could contribute at this level.

“In general, it’s exciting to not only learn off the current Board members but also to contribute in different areas of the business myself as well.”

Solomon has been able to begin building relationships with his fellow Board members, exchanging ideas and vision in his early discussions with Barham.

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Former teammate Andrew Welsh is another who Solomon is looking forward to work alongside again, given the focus on football in his role as a Director.

“I spoke to Dave (Barham) on the phone following the announcement,” Solomon said.

“I really enjoyed my time chatting with him, getting insight to his thoughts and feelings about the Club and where he wants to take it, so that gives me a sense of joy and eagerness to be able to contribute to that.

“Obviously, I'd like to contribute to a few parts of the business but with football being my clear strength, I’m looking forward to seeing how I can support Andrew Welsh and his future in the football governance role.”