Dear Members,
It is with mixed emotions that my time as Chairman comes to an end.
Over the last three years our Club has endured scrutiny and pressure like no other. But through these challenging times the Club’s inner strength and resolve have shone through.
To post record membership numbers during this time is testament to the loyalty and resilience of our supporters. The Club exists for our members. From Keilor to Kalgoorlie and beyond our shores, your passion knows no bounds. The Club is committed to repaying your faith and everyone is working hard to ensure we return to the top very soon.
We are grateful for the continued support of our commercial partners. In this time of uncertainty we have still been able to register record revenue. This says much about the quality of the partners we align with.
A key priority during my time as Chairman has been the establishment of a strong and talented board of Non-Executive Directors.
Lindsay Tanner’s elevation to the EFC Chairman’s role is an excellent outcome for the Club. The re-election of Paul Brasher to the Deputy Chairman and Director of Finance roles, together with the recent appointment of David Barham, with his extensive media skills, completes a Board restructure that will underpin our future success. I am proud of the Board and forever thankful for their hard work throughout my Chairmanship.
I would like to single out Paul Brasher for his excellent work as a Director. Paul was always available and willing to contribute, particularly when I needed to stress test a decision or a possible strategic outcome throughout trying times. Thank you Paul and there is no doubt that the Club is the winner in your recent re-election to the Board.
John Worsfold’s appointment as Senior Coach will give our Club every chance of future finals success. I have had the privilege of getting to know John recently and have every confidence that he will bring with him to Essendon, the experience, discipline and core personal values, to mount a serious challenge on the competition in the years ahead. John is an outstanding and inspirational leader of young men and you can be confident he will get the best out of the playing group.
We have some exciting recruits who have just landed at the Club through last month’s National Draft and I look forward to watching their careers unfold. Seeing Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett lining up in the centre square alongside Darcy Parish who then kicks it down to Joe Daniher is something we will hopefully become very accustomed to over the next decade. What an exciting prospect that is.
This playing group has been through more in the last three years than most experience in their entire careers. But they have remained united. We hope they will soon be able to take the field free from the burden they have carried. And when they do, they will be a force to be reckoned with.
My relatively short time as Essendon Chairman has been a mixture of excitement, frustration and demanding focus. During this time however I have met many wonderful individuals from the broader Essendon family and I feel quite privileged to have represented them in my role as Chairman.
I leave the job with a strong belief that I gave the position of Chairman and the obligations contained within it, everything I possibly could. At the same time, I have now handed over the reins to Lindsay at a very exciting time for the Club.
Regardless of the outcome of the CAS hearing, this must be the end of what can only be described as an incredibly stressful time in the history of our proud Club.
On a personal note, I would like to thank my wife Jane and son James for their unwavering support over the last few years. Their love and encouragement kept me strong through some very challenging periods.
It has been a great honour to serve this Club. I believe we have the right people, in the right positions to take us forward. We will rise again and I look forward to celebrating our success alongside my fellow Essendon members.
Merry Christmas
Paul Little AO
