Essendon Football Club is today mourning the sad passing of Harold Lambert - the Bombers’ oldest-living premiership player. 

Surrounded by family, Lambert passed away peacefully on Saturday morning at the age of 99.

The Bombers champion had a stellar career for the red and black in arguably the club’s greatest era, but it was a tenure that was impacted by war. From 1942 to 1945, he served in the army in Papua New Guinea and throughout the Pacific.

Upon his return to Windy Hill, Lambert moved to the half-back flank where he continued his dominance. He was rarely beaten and was a fierce, fearless, but fair competitor throughout his glittering career.

Lambert starred for Essendon in three premierships, across the backline with stints in the midfield, and was a mainstay of the line-up in what was Essendon’s greatest period.

Across his 99 games for the club, Lambert was regarded as perhaps the best half-back flanker of his era as he starred alongside fellow legends Dick Reynolds, Bill Hutchison and John Coleman. Among his career games were 21 finals, with Lambert in third place behind Reynolds and Hutchison for the most finals appearances by any Bomber.

Essendon President Paul Brasher said the club was today in mourning. 

“On behalf of everyone at the Essendon Football Club, we extend our sincere condolences to Harold’s family as we learned of his sad passing,” Brasher said.

“Harold was our oldest living premiership player and a true treasure of the Essendon Football Club. He was an outright champion of our club and his contribution profound. 

“Despite his years away from football to gallantly serve his country, our game was better for his outstanding service in the red and black. 

“After a stellar career as a half-back flanker across three premierships and 21 finals appearances, he was rightly named as the 25th champion of the Essendon Football Club and will forever be immortalised.

“It is a sad day for our football club.” 

Essendon’s players and staff will wear black armbands on Sunday afternoon at Marvel Stadium against North Melbourne in honour of Harold Lambert.

Rest in peace, Harold. 

HAROLD LAMBERT'S ACCOLADES

Premierships – 1946, 1949, 1950

Finals – 21

Best first-year player – 1940

Most serviceable player – 1946

Best utility player – 1948

Most consistent player – 1949

Team of the Century

Champion of Essendon