Essendon Football Club is calling on its loyal and passionate supporters to ‘Don the Sash’ and become a member for season 2014.

Be it the players who take to the field or the supporters who wear it proudly in the stands, the bold red sash is what unites and separates Essendon from the rest of the competition.

But it’s more than a guernsey, it’s a tradition, a legacy.

Three players who continue the proud legacy launched the membership campaign at the True Value Solar Centre.

Captain Jobe Watson, senior coach and 1993 premiership captain Mark Thompson and 1965 premiership captain Ken Fraser delivered a personal insight into what it means to 'Don the Sash.'

Watson described the sash as a proud extension of his own family.

“Growing up watching my father ‘Don the Sash’ and now wearing it as a player is a significant privilege. The sash is iconic to my family and the Essendon family,” Watson said.

“Most importantly though, the red sash is fundamental to the club. For players past and present it represents the special bond of playing for this great club, and for our members and supporters it allows them to signify their love and pride for the football club.”

For Thompson, the sash continues to serve as a reminder of what the Essendon Football Club stands for.

“The red sash continues to symbolise the nature of this great club. It represents our tradition, heritage and success,” Thompson said.

“As a coach, you can see the pride in our players when they pull on the red and black guernsey. It’s an extremely powerful guernsey, the red sash literally crosses their hearts."

Fraser said it was a privilege to 'Don the Sash' for more than a decade.

"I still remember the first time I donned the Essendon guernsey, and it’s a memory that still fills me with a great sense of pride.

"The Essendon members and supporters have always been the best in the league, and last year only reinforced their commitment and passion for the club, and I would encourage anyone who's considering signing to become a member in 2014."

Chairman Paul Little said the ‘Don The Sash’ campaign honours the club's proud history. He also encouraged supporters to be part of an important milestone as the Bombers strive to sign 60,000 members for the first time.

“When you think of Essendon, you immediately picture the red sash. It is fundamental to the Essendon brand so we wanted to get back to basics and make it the hero of the campaign,” Little said.

“Through the red sash, the club is able to share some of its wonderful stories from both past and present, and get to the heart of what it truly means to be a part of the Essendon family, tradition and fabric of the club.”

As part of the 2014 membership campaign, the club will present a series of stories involving past and present players, coaches, administrators and fans on the history, pride and what it means to ‘Don the Sash’.

The club is also calling on fans to share their favorite memories of the sash through a series of initiatives across the club’s digital and social media platforms over the coming months using #DonTheSash and through essendonfc.com.au.

Click here to Don the Sash today and join as a member for 2014.

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