New Essendon Board member, David Barham, was presented to Club members for the first time at last night’s Annual General Meeting. 

The former Channel Ten Head of Sport joins former Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay, as well as the re-elected Paul Brasher on the nine person Board.

Barham’s association with the Bombers goes back nearly 30 years.

“It might have been 1989 when I started working with ‘Sheeds’ making motivational videos,” he said. 

“I had a fair old stint doing that in the early 90’s and just got connected with the Club, met different people and got on different committees.”

Barham established AFL films and worked on Essendon’s Innovation Committee.

He will combine his position on the Board while also heading up Channel Ten’s coverage of the Big Bash and Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

“It’s a good time in my life to do it.  I’ve got some time to do it at the moment.  I’ve never really had the time to do it.  I’ve scaled back a little bit at Channel Ten – I’m now just running the Big Bash Cricket and I’m running the Formula One so I’ve got a bit of extra time on my hands,” he said. 

“I think I’ve got some knowledge that can help in broadcast areas and some digital content areas and negotiation areas so I thought it would be a good time to be involved.

“Like every other Essendon supporter I want to go to the football on a Saturday and enjoy the footy. 

“I want to get there and take my kids and have a good time and just enjoy watching Essendon play footy again.

“Anything we can do to that end – just trying to get it back to just being a good weekend pastime and a great fun thing to do – I think that’s the major priority for me.

“I know it sounds simple but to me I think that’s what everybody wants.”