Chief Executive Officer, Peter Jackson, said Allan is an icon of the club being a past player, committeeman and President.

""Allan is an Essendon legend and on behalf of the players, officials and staff I would like to pass on our deepest sympathies to the Hird family,"" Mr Jackson said.

""He was one of the original legends inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996 and his contribution was recognised at Windy Hill with the Allan T. Hird Stand named after him.

""His son, Allan Hird Jnr, also played for the club and grandson James is a current player and was voted third of the all-time 25 greatest Essendon players.

""Allan's contribution and memory will live on in the hearts of all at the Essendon Football Club.""

In James Hird's book, Reading The Play, he described his grandfather as a gruff but genuine and loving man who cared about all aspect's of his grandson's life - particularly his education.

James said his grandfather would attend his games, take statistics and ring him up later to talk about them. He believed in players having a job outside of footy.

Allan came to Essendon in 1940 after two years and 14 games with Hawthorn. He was known for his pace, mostly off the half-back and half-forward flank, which earned him the nickname 'racehorse'. He played 102 consecutive games for the Bombers including the 1942 Premiership.

He left at the end of 1945 for two years as captain-coach at St Kilda before returning as Essendon reserves captain-coach taking his team to the finals every season between 1948 - 54.

Allan went on to hold a variety of committee roles while also climbing the public service ladder becoming Victoria's Director General of Education.

His foresight, skill and commitment is recognised as laying the foundations of the successful business that Essendon is today.

Details of Allan's funeral will be announced in the near future. He was 88 years of age (born 11 August, 1918).

Allan's Essendon History: