Outgoing Essendon Chairman Paul Little has given his support to former Federal Government Minister Lindsay Tanner taking over the role.

Little has previously announced his intention to stand down once Essendon is clear of the WADA appeal.

Tanner was a Member of Parliament for 17 years.

He was a backbencher in the Keating government and later served as the Minister for Finance and Deregulation between 2007 and 2010.

“I’m deeply honoured that Paul has seen fit to put his support behind me to succeed him as Chairman,” Tanner said.

“My only interest is in serving the Club.  If the Club asks me to be Chairman, I will do it.  If the Club asks me to continue to serve on the Board under someone else, I will do it.  If the Club asks me to sweep out the change rooms, I will do it.

“The thing that we’ve all got to take away from tonight is we’ve all got to walk tall, have some pride in being part of the Essendon Football Club and carry that banner.

“It has taken a tremendous beating in the last few years, but we are still standing.

“Hang in there, walk tall, success will come.” 

Little took over as Essendon Chairman midway through 2013 at the height of the ASADA investigation.

“It has been a privilege to be the Chairman of this great club,” Little said.

“In my time as Chairman, the Board has worked tirelessly to clear our players’ names and at the same time continued to build a stronger and successful Essendon Football Club. 

“I firmly believe the foundations have been laid to achieve our aim of becoming the most respected, inclusive and successful football club in the competition in the coming years. 

“I am excited about the future for our club and am very confident success is just around the corner.”

Any decision on a new Chairman won’t be ratified until the Board meeting after the Annual General Meeting in December.