Essendon Football Club has recorded the biggest raw increase in membership in the AFL competition, from 47,708 in 2012 to 56,173 in 2013, an increase of 8465 members.

Interim CEO Ray Gunston said the record membership figure was a significant achievement for the Club.

"Thank you to our loyal and passionate members - we are very proud to have increased our membership base in record numbers this year," Gunston said.

"It has been a very challenging time for everyone at the Club but to have this unwavering support from our members has been uplifting for us all"

"Congratulations to the membership team and the dedicated staff at the club for all their hard work reaching this significant milestone"

The combined AFL club membership figure for 2013 is 756,717, the highest recorded in the game's history and an increase of 6.94 per cent on last year.