Senior coach Mark Thompson today reaches a significant milestone with the club great celebrating his 50th birthday.

Many of those years have been spent at the Essendon Football Club, where he played 202 games between 1983-1996 before returning to the club as senior assistant coach in 2010.

The man affectionately dubbed ‘Bomber’ was a no frills courageous back pocket player who constantly put his body on the line. Unsung but never the most spectacular of players, he was always a champion when it matter most and rose to the occasion better than any in his time.

Thompson played in the club’s 1984, 1985 and 1993 premiership teams, holding the cup aloft in ‘93 as captain of the Baby Bombers.

A two-time All Australian and two time best and fairest winner, Thompson led from the front during his career and has done so ever since finishing.

He guided Geelong to two premierships as coach before returning to his beloved Essendon in 2010 to join forces with former premiership teammate James Hird.

In October, Thompson was named the man in charge to direct the club as senior coach in 2014 in Hird’s absence.

Essendon Football Club wishes Bomber a very happy 50th birthday!